GREENVILLE — With a microphone in one hand, a two-way radio nearby and more than 100 young exhibitors depending on her to help keep the show moving, Tiffany Pope once again found herself in a familiar place at the Great Darke County Fair.
For the past 20 years, Pope has donated her time at the fair’s horse arena, serving as an announcer and taking on the many behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with keeping a busy horse show organized.
It is a job that requires much more than announcing names and classes over the public address system.
“Announcing, getting the classes in and out of the arena, making sure that the right kids know what classes are, making sure that the spectators know what’s showing,” Pope said of her responsibilities.
When riding classes begin, her role becomes even more involved.
“I’ll be calling out the different gates, letting them know what they should be doing while they’re out there, keeping an eye on the arena,” Pope said. “If somebody falls off or is having trouble, I alert the judge to let them know. Just kind of being the overseer of the events in the arena.”
Communication is critical.
Pope stays in constant contact by two-way radio with the ringmaster inside the arena and the person working the gate, where exhibitors are checked before entering their classes.
“The three of us are constantly checking records, making sure that the right kids are getting in and that everything goes smoothly,” Pope said.
With more than 100 young people showing horses at the Darke County Fair, keeping everything moving on schedule can be a challenge.
“Making sure that the right kids are in the arena and that everybody is getting in and out in a timely manner is crucial to making sure that the show doesn’t last until two in the morning,” Pope said.
After two decades behind the microphone, Pope knows there is a system to running an efficient horse show.
“There’s a real kind of science to keeping the show flowing,” she said. “Having people in each position who understand how that works keeps the show moving along quickly.”
Pope’s willingness to devote her time to the horse program stems from a lifelong connection to horses, 4-H, and the show ring.
Her mother, Shelley Meckes, showed horses in 4-H. Pope followed the family tradition as soon as she was old enough.
“I started showing as soon as I was old enough to show and showed all the way through my eligibility,” Pope said.
Her involvement with horses continued when she attended The Ohio State University, where she competed on the university’s equestrian team.
“I showed on The Ohio State equestrian team while I was at Ohio State, and I still go in the show ring every once in a while and try not to make too big of a fool of myself,” Pope said with a laugh.
The family tradition continued with another generation. Pope’s daughters, Callie and Charlie Pope, both showed horses while growing up. Both are now in college.
Although her daughters have moved beyond their junior fair years, Pope has continued to return to the horse arena and donate her time.
For Pope, the reason goes beyond horses and competition. It is also about the friendships and sense of community that have developed around the arena.
“I enjoy the people,” Pope said. “Horse people are a great group of people.”
She especially appreciates watching young competitors support one another despite competing for the same ribbons and awards.
“Even though they’re competitors out there, I think we have some of the greatest sportsmanship,” Pope said. “Kids are constantly helping each other and congratulating each other, and it’s just a really great community that I love to be a part of.”
Away from the horse arena, Pope has plenty to keep her busy. She is the owner of Meckes & Associates Insurance, an independent insurance agency in Greenville, and also serves as a correspondent for My County Link.
“That’s my paid job while I get to do this as my hobby and my passion,” Pope said of balancing the insurance business with her time at the horse arena.
During fair week, that balance sometimes means going back and forth between the two.
“Yes, I’m back and forth constantly,” she said.
But after 20 years of volunteering, the horse arena remains a place Pope wants to be.
Her daughters may now be in college, and the young exhibitors entering the ring today are a new generation, but Pope continues to sit behind the microphone, monitor the radio, and help ensure each youngster gets his or her opportunity in the show ring.
For Pope, it is a continuation of a family tradition that began with her mother, continued through her own years as a 4-H exhibitor and an Ohio State equestrian team member, and was carried on by her daughters.
Now, after two decades of donating her time at the Great Darke County Fair horse arena, Pope continues giving back to the horse community that has been part of her life for generations.
“It’s just a really great community that I love to be a part of,” Pope said.
