SKOWHEGAN – The 12th-annual Special Olympics Maine equestrian competition will take place Saturday, Sept. 26 at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. More than 100 athletes are expected to participate in the event and will represent over a dozen local stables. The athletes will compete in Showmanship, English and Western Equitation, Working Trails, Team Relay and Speed Barrels.

Maine was one of the first states to begin an Equestrian program and was even featured in SPIRIT magazine (an International Special Olympics magazine) for its groundbreaking efforts. At the first competition there were only about 30 athletes. Today Maine has one of the largest Equestrian programs in the country.

Special Olympics Somerset County and members of Good Sam will run a concession stand. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m. Special Olympics is a year round athletic training and competition program for persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine there are nearly 3,000 athletes involved in the program. For more information on the program or on the Equestrian competition, please call our state office at 879-0489.