Whether your idea of a great time on horseback is a leisurely trail ride along a remote dirt road or navigating a demanding obstacle course, mark your calendar for the Shellhorn Showdown on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Davis Quarter Horse Farm near Shellhorn.

The Pike and Goshen Farmers Cooperatives are the sponsors of the Trail Ride and Shellhorn Showdown Trail Challenge, which will get under way at noon on the Lamar and Debra Davis Quarter Horse Farm located about 10 miles northwest of Troy, just off Pike County Road 1101.

Admission is $25 and all proceeds benefit the Pike County 4-H Horse Club and the Pike County Saddle Club.”

“The organized ride will move at a leisurely pace and last about an hour,” said Debra Davis. “It will feature some of the mot beautiful, pristine scenery in Pike County and is open to all horse breeds and wagons. No motorized vehicles will be allowed.”

The $25 entry fee includes refreshments during the ride, a dinner following the ride and admission to view the Shellhorn Showdown.

“At 4 p.m., the more daring cowboys and cowgirls will saddle up for the Shellhorn Showdown Trail Challenge, which is an obstacle course designed to test the skills of both horse and rider,” Davis said.

All participants in the showdown must have completed the trail ride and will pay an additional entry fee of $20. A portion of that entry fee will be donated to the 4-H Horse Club and the remainder will be used as prize money for the winners. There will be $200 added money to the jackpot prize.

“We really appreciate the support of our local Farmers Cooperatives in putting on these events,” said Tammy Powell, Pike County extension coordinator. “We have a lot of interest in our 4-H Horse Club and this will be a wonderful activity for them. Even those children who don’t have horses will have an opportunity to help organize the ride to support the horse club.”

Billy Joe Sansom, president of the Pike County Saddle Club, said his organization is excited about helping raise money for the 4-H Club.

“Even though most of our horse club’s focus in on the horse shows, we have a lot of people in our area that just enjoy a good trail ride,” Sansom said. “The rolling hills in Shellhorn will provide a perfect backdrop for a fun ride. Then we’ll all see some good entertainment at the Shellhorn Showdown. It will be a real challenge.”

Davis was in the 4-H Horse Club when she was growing up in Troy.

“It was a wonderful experience for me,” she said. “Both my children grew up showing horses in 4-H, too, and it was a great family experience. I hope events like this will encourage more children to become involved in the horse club.”

For more information about the Trail Ride and Shellhorn Showdown Trail Challenge, contact Powell at 334-566-0985 or Vicki Causley at 334-268-7160.