Staff writer
Dressed as Smurfs, and the cartoon’s villain, Gargamel, 12-year-old Larry Zieammermann, 9-year-old Johnny Zieammermann, and 18-year-old Cara Martin showed their miniature horse, Tulip, around the show ring at the American Miniature Horse World Championship Show at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
The trio had to compete in at least two shows and have a certain number of points to qualify for the world show.
With Tulip dressed as Azrael, Gargamel’s evil cat, the team placed 4th. They also competed in several other events.
Larry placed second individually in the 12 and under category for the youth quiz bowl event. His team placed first, and Johnny’s team placed second. Cara’s team placed second in the 13 to 18 age group.
Larry and Johnny’s team received reserve champion for having the most overall points in the youth division. The team received sweatshirts.
Cara placed 10th with her mare Impressibles Versaces Scarlett Rose in the youth owned, trained, and exhibited category.
In the boys’ favorite class, liberty class, they each chased their minis around the area dressed in costume. Larry received a trophy for his bacon costume and his musical selection titled “Rub Some Bacon on It.” Johnny’s music was “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.” He won a trophy for the hungriest horse, he also won second place for an essay titled “How Miniature Horses Have Affected My Life.”
The three took three miniature horses to the show. They and their grandma, Cathy Martin, own five miniature horses, and a handful of “regular” sized horses.
Cara said she likes showing miniature horses better because they are easier to work with than regular sized horses.
“Shows are fun,” said Johnny. “I get to dress up and chase a horse, and this year I did driving events.”
Martin said she likes the shows because it is good family time.