Horses and riders hoof it up.

Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard

Mr. Ed was a talking horse, of course, but he was no dancer.

Which is why he could have taken a few pointers from the dozen or so prancing horses that participated Sunday at the Lane County Fair.

On the fair's final day, about 500 people packed the bleachers at the livestock pavilion to watch costumed riders on horseback perform choreographed skits set to music. In the world of horse dancing, riders use acting, costumes, maneuvers and props in routines that can be serious, dramatic, elegant or funny.

All levels can participate, whether it's an experienced rider or a beginner, said event organizer Laura Wyant, who raises horses in Cheshire.

The acts won over such audience members as Yvonne Tourtillott of Springfield, who declared the cooperation between horses and riders "truly impressive."

If there'd been an award bestowed for best costume and makeup, Denise Henning of Veneta easily could have won Sunday.

With a Sioux headdress, suede pantsuit with American Indian beading and enough fox and mink pelts to enrage an animal rights activist, Henning and Powder, a 5-year-old gelding, entered the arena to Paul Revere and the Raiders' hit song "Indian Reservation."

She painted the top portion of her face black with an arrowhead design on her chin. Powder had a red handprint painted on his shoulder and blue crossed arrows on his thigh, which symbolizes friendship, Henning said.

Henning said she feels a lot closer to her horse after spending the past two months practicing her routine with Powder.

"Horse dancing causes the horse and rider to become one. We certainly communicate more now," she said.

Other horses trotted, cantered and walked to country, rock and even a little classical music.

Laura Smith, 19, of Junction City, and her partner, Kiger, a 17-year-old stallion, performed to The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon."

Kiger loves to perform before an audience, Smith said.

"He moves right in rhythm to the music, whether it's a slow song or an up-tempo one," she said.

CAPTION(S):

Denise Henning rides Powder through their horse dancing routine performed to Paul Revere and the Raiders' hit song "Indian Reservation" on Sunday during the Lane County Fair's final day. E q u e s t r i a n s h o w t i m e