Stick-horse riders, from left, Mary Kate, 4, and Will Shultz, 6, both of Lawrence, and Sean Wunder, 3, of Berryton, trot around the arena during a children's event at the Douglas County Fair's open horse show Sunday at the fairgrounds.

About 40 riders mounted their horses Sunday to compete in an open show during the Douglas County Fair.

The show was smaller than last year, but organizers C.B. and Gretchen Brumm weren’t surprised.

“We kind of expected it to be down a little bit with the economy, plus the heat,” Gretchen said. “But it’s still a really good turnout.”

The show included 37 classes, including halter, performance and race.

And judge Al Davis said the quality of the horses was the best he’d seen all year.

“We’re in a facility that’s indoors, out of the sun, in the shade, so people are more likely to bring out their nicer horses,” Davis said. He learned how to judge during his younger years as a member of the 4-H Club.

But the crowd’s favorite class? Stick horses.

Children ages 6 and younger got a chance to get on the stick and ride just like the big kids. They have to walk, trot and move their horses forward and backward.

First-time competitors Will and Mary Kate Shultz of Lawrence were ready to go.

Will, 6, said he was just excited to get out there and that his favorite thing about cowboys was the bulls and cows.

“Cowboys ride horsies, not cows!” Mary Kate, 4, said.

Will rode his horse Jack; Mary Kate was on Hollywood. The judge rewarded the entire class with first-place honors, and everyone took home medals and snacks.

“The best cowboys are stick horse riders,” said C.B. Brumm. “I had the best rides in the world on stick horses.”

The fair continues through Aug. 3. A full schedule of events can be found at dgcountyfair.com.