Hot Air Balloons and Horses

They're having a hot air balloon and equestrian festival in Aiken, S.C. What will be next? Plastic grocery bags and horses festival?

My horses would think that hot air balloons were Giant Breathing Plastic Grocery Bags of Death. We would find out just exactly how fast and how far our horses could go. We'd no doubt beat the balloons to their destination.

And they've got fireworks, too! Yahoo!

Look at a portion of the schedule, below. Can you imagine warming up for dressage while the balloons are taking off?

Festivities begin on Friday September 19th with barrel racing at 4:00 PM, jumping exhibition at 5:00 PM, Kids Balloon run at 6:00 PM, Special Shape balloons and tether balloon rides at 7:00 PM, Fireworks display at 8:00 PM.

On Saturday September 20th the balloons will take off at 6:30 AM, dressage exhibition at 7:30 AM, hunting exhibition at 9:00 AM.

But I just might go watch the goings on. Perverse, I know. Beyond the disconnect between horse behavior and hot air balloons, it sounds like fun. Here's the link.

Comments

[OnTheBit]

I just finished working at a barn that was in a the perfect area for hot air balloons and we would get them overhead, and low at least once a week. I worked there for 3 years and only this year did they really get close. They would always land in the field two farms away. Anyway the horses didn't care at all as long as it was in the air. I hope that the area where they blow them up is far away from the competition arena! I think as long as the horses can't hear it it shouldn't be a terrible combo at all. Most horses never look up. I have only known one to really ever watch the skys and that was a Grand Prix Dressage horse who would stop and watch the sky if she heard a plane. She did it every time and her poor owner had to pick show grounds very carefully because of it!

[Mrs Mom]

PICTURES!!! We want to see pictures if you go, please!!!!

I have always wanted to see balloons floating around. Have plans for this weekend, otherwise we would probably be there too... so pix please!! :)

[White Horse Pilgrim]

We get hot air balloons around here too. Doru the stallion doesn't care in the least. (Perhaps because they don't look edible.) Pintea the gelding stares at them, even if just specks on the horizon. He's fascinated. He also stares at horses in fields a mile or more away.

I've never been near a balloon on the ground with a horse. I guess that the outcom would depend on the horse. Over here, balloon pilots are trained to avoid livestock when landing, which sounds like a wise precaution.

[hot air balloon sydney]

I love the balloon race show.But I have never been near a balloon show.
Please share your experience more here.