More than 12,000 visitors came to the eighth annual Halloween with Horses Presented by Murdoch's on Saturday. The event, hosted by The Colorado Horse Park, was a food fundraiser for the SECOR food bank. Among the many attractions were the Stable of Terror, safe trick or treat barn and more. But the highlight of the event was the famous horse costume contest. The creativity and imagination were exceptionally high this year as contestants of all ages showed off incredible designs.
The $1,000 Grand Prize winner Amanda Speaker and her 13-year-old Shire gelding impressed as a Triceratops and cavewoman. "It just comes to me," said Speaker, of Buffalo Springs, Colorado. Speaker relies on her mother Terri Miller for seamstress duties, which this year included four days of sewing and construction that included 20 yards of fabric. Thor and Speaker have been frequent victors in the costume contest at Halloween with Horses. They've earned five blue ribbons in their age category and three Grand Championships.
Tied with Speaker for first place in the 22 and over division was Chalice Coward from Parker, Colorado. Her headless horseman costume impressed the judges and the crowd with its high quality. Coward's son also participated in the under 12 division as a Power Ranger. "This is just for fun," Coward stated. "The winning comes in the creating and the ideas" not the prizes.
Finishing in second place in the adult division were Tonya and Tamara Rumer with their miniature horses Jazz and Fly. The foursome presented "The March of the Penguins. Tonya's inspiration came from spotting the padding in Joanne's fabric store. "I enjoy this kind of stuff," Tonya explained. The foursome also participates in the Christmas parade and costume classes at miniature horse shows.
Indian Hills resident Christalle Osgood made her first entry in the costume contest a winning one with her headless horseman on her 15-year-old quarter horse mare Roxy. The pair earned the blue ribbon in the 13-21 division, which also included Dr. Seuss characters, a mummy, pirates, firefighters and more! Osgood's inspiration was the movie Sleepy Hollow. "It's pretty amazing," she said of her victory.
Finishing in second place in the 13-21 division were five members from a 4-H group. Alexa Haehnel, Mallory Entz, Katie Goodson, Kayla Goodson and Jake Douglas created a living carousel with their horses.
Claiming first prize in the 12 and under category was a threesome who called themselves "Charlie and the Hula Dancers." Charlie, a 24-year-old horse owned by Darla Orton of Mariah Farms, was a good sport about the surfboards and leis draped from him. His three eight-year-old hula dancers included Kaili Hanenburg, Madison Woodall and Brittany Walker. The girls developed their costume after discarding many other ideas, including the Charlie's Angels.
Finishing in second place in the 12 and under category were Shannon Nagle, Madeline Barke, Brendan Barke, Brien Barke and Hailey Neault from Denver. This group presented the "Catch of the Day" complete with octopus. Eleven-year-old Sadie, a chestnut Haflinger, happily pulled the brood along in her carriage.
About The Colorado Horse Park
The Colorado Horse Park is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization. The purpose of the Colorado Horse Park is to showcase the history and heritage of the West using the horse as the primary teaching tool through hands-on educational programming, museum exhibitions, competitions, boarding and training, recreation, entertainment and therapy for all ages.