Behind the Scenes at Markham Fair: Kristy & Ranger in the Backstretch
Not every great moment happens in the arena.
This candid shot of Kristy and her paint horse Ranger was taken in the backstretch at the 2025 Markham Fair, right in the middle of the wait between classes at the Grassroots Extreme Cowboy Competition, and it’s one of my favourites from the day.
There’s something about that quiet moment between runs that tells its own story. No pressure, no clock ticking, just a horsewoman and her horse standing easy in the sunshine.
For those unfamiliar with the event, Extreme Cowboy is a discipline that challenges both horse and rider to navigate a series of trail and farm-based obstacles, blending horsemanship with speed. The Grassroots division opens the competition to anyone willing to give it a go, which is exactly the kind of spirit that makes agricultural fair competitions so compelling to photograph.
Ranger, a striking brown-and-white paint, was clearly unfazed by the whole thing. Kristy, on the other hand, was all smiles.
Watch this space for more images from the 2025 fair season.
