GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — To kickstart the 145th annual Little World’s Fair, on Thursday, August 14, the Diehl Us In 4-H Club of Callicoon, NY staged the fascinating Sullivan County 4-H Fun Horse Show in the fairground’s main ring.

The show featured the horse-handling talents of 20 young horsewomen and a lone youthful horseman under the watchful tutelage of Megan Diehl-Blumenthal, proprietor of Diehl Me In Performance Horses in Callicoon, an equestrian-training program.

During the show, the young riders performed a series of interlocking exercises—such as “sit-a-buck, a toilet paper race, an egg-and-spoon race, musical poles and costume”—all designed to demonstrate their mastery of horsemanship. 

The Little World’s Fair is hosted by the Neversink Agricultural Society during the third weekend in August each year. The mission is “to provide a venue for farmers and craftspeople to gather and display their produce, livestock and creations while providing community fellowship with music and entertainment.” And of course, it always showcases horses. 

The Grahamsville Fair was founded in 1878 in the small, closely knit, agriculturally rich community. It has been a popular feature in the area every year since it was established—except in 1928, when a devastating flood washed out the bridge leading to the fairgrounds, and in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Sullivan County Youth Development program “provides fun, experimental learning opportunities to help young people grow to be healthy, happy, contributing global citizens.”

According to the CCE website, “In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. We are the local branch of America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.” 

Diehl Me In Performance Horses offers horse care and riding instruction for people of all ages and abilities, its website says. The focus is on “developing the full potential of every equestrian and their mount.”

The following young riders participated: Blake and Clare, Bailey Carlucci, Harper Krause, Aria Schanil, Lux Seibert, Kensi Farrand, Kali Dutcher, Kylie Houghtaling, Mia Powell, Shae Seibert, Maci Berlingeri, Saive Caycho, Harper Ryder, Harper Eggleton, Skye Cruz, Sandra Hanofee, Penelope Hanweck, Mya Bury, Roz Passante and Natalie Westergreen.

Learn more about Diehl Us In 4-H Club on Facebook.

For information about another local 4-H program, Small Town Country 4-H in Hortonville, find it on Facebook at Small Town Country 4-H.