Here's what it's like to ride a pony in the World's Championship Horse Show

Editor's note: this story was originally published during the 2019 Kentucky State Fair.

For most of us, the Kentucky State Fair is about corn dogs, carnival rides and if you're lucky, a coveted Blue Ribbon.

But wander into Freedom Hall during eight special days of the fair and you'll find yourself in a world dramatically different from the midway food and rides.

Expensive, majestic horses, skilled riders in fancy attire, high stakes prize money and the distinctive green shavings which cover the floor of the arena are hallmarks of the prestigious World's Championship Horse Show.

Here, the best of the best come to compete and it's where we found Jimmy Robertson and his adorable, 19-year-old Hackney pony, Turbo Blue.

As golf carts decorated in the individual colors of horse owner's stables whizzed by, Robertson led us into an exclusive roped-off section where competitors spend their time in luxurious pop-up barns before heading into the arena.     

A prominent trainer from Shelbyville, Robertson gave us a rare first-hand experience behind the scenes of the renowned horse show and an even more unlikely spin around the competition ring seated on a cart called a "Road Bike" harnessed behind Turbo Blue.    

"It's just like riding a bicycle. If you want to turn left you pull lightly on the left reign and loosen up on the right," the horse owner explained. 

More:Get a COVID-19 vaccine at the Kentucky State Fair and it means unlimited rides for you

To be clear, I am far from an experienced rider but Robertson made sure I looked the part in his stable's green, black and white silks and helmet. I also borrowed a nifty pair of ankle-high patent leather boots for the ride.

"Don't pull back too hard," he said. "It's like you are holding a tiny fish, it's a light touch."

For the 2021 competition, held Aug. 21-28, more than 2,000 horses and their highly skilled riders — yours truly excluded — arrived at Freedom Hall from around the world in order to compete for more than $1 million in awards.  

But it hasn't always been such an elaborate affair. The show was first held in 1902  at Churchill Downs and horses traveled there on foot and by train. Rather than $1  million, the winners received a sterling silver trophy.

During the early years, a separate program was produced for each day of the show, small enough to fold and put in your pocket. It eventually grew to magazine size to include the entire event. 

"Turbo (Blue) came in fourth in his division with a 10-year-old boy riding yesterday," Robertson said as he set me loose onto the sacred green shavings. 

Was this comment to reassure or intimidate me — there was no time to wonder as Turbo Blue began to weave in and out of the skilled equestrians practicing for their next event.   

"That's fast enough, that's fast enough," Roberston coached from the middle of the arena. "Now sit up straight, arch your back, lift your arms."

You may like:Everything you need to know about the 2019 Kentucky State fair: parking, tickets, hours

Today the show crowns World Champion Saddlebreds in different divisions including the Hackney/Harness Ponies like Turbo Blue. Each division includes several classes for amateurs, women, amateur women and junior exhibitors, as well as younger horses and ponies.

With Roberston's expert coaching and Turbo Blue's decades of experience, this inexperienced rider was relieved to successfully jockey her way around Freedom Hall for half an hour without incident.    

We may not all have an opportunity to ride in the ring but each of us can take a seat in the stands (seats are free during daytime competition on the upper level) and experience the thrill of the highest level of horseman on display annually at the World's Championship Horse Show at the Kentucky State Fair.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/kirbya.