some of the 21 contestants in the stick horse event wait to hear the judges’ thoughts after the competition. The traditional event for kids up to age 6 was part of the open horse show Sunday at the Douglas County Fair.

Gavin Johnson, 6, Lawrence, dressed like a cowboy and rode his stick horse for judges Sunday at the Douglas County Fair. Gavin won first place, as did all other contestants.

Cooling off between judging events Sunday at the Douglas County Fair, Baylie Moon, of the Stull Busy Beavers, and her horse, Max, take advantage of a fan in the Community Building.

The 2010 Douglas County Fair Open Horse Show kicked off Sunday morning at the fairgrounds.

It wasn’t all about the horses, though. It was also about the children.

The event, which took place in the Community Building, featured a special display that has become a staple of the show the past eight years: the stick horse competition.

Young children at the fairgrounds were invited to compete in the horse show using stick horses provided by event volunteers. Many came dressed in cowboy boots, hats and flannel. One stick horse rider even sported a horse backpack.

And while some children chose to bring their own stick horses, most were happy to ride the ones that event superintendent C.B. Brumm had created for them.

Brumm came up with the idea for the event eight years ago as a way to keep children entertained and excited during the show, which runs well into the afternoon. He said the event has really grown since its first year.

“I make somewhere around 35 stick horses each year, and all from recycled material,” said Brumm, an avid horse rider. “Some of my most memorable rides were on stick horses when I was a kid.”

Horse show volunteer Ann Pearson has helped out with the event for the past six years. Sunday afternoon she helped children name their inanimate horses and signed 21 of them up for the event.

After performing some coordinated walking, trotting and galloping, all 21 participants were awarded first prize.

The trophy for winning? A juice box and animal cookies.

Billy and Maddy Welch, ages 7 and 6, of Lawrence, sat in the stands with their parents after the event.

“It was fun,” Billy said, holding on to his champion steed Spot, the first place ribbon around its neck.

His sister was understandably distracted by the live animals, which continued in the show behind her.

“I like real horses,” she said.

Along with the ribbons, drinks and cookies, the winning young riders were also allowed to keep their new horses.