Horsing around at the Seneca County Fair for half a century

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Lynette Lawless-Butts owned her Registered Quarter horse, Stryker, for only three months when she entered him in the Bulls & Barrels Rodeo at the Seneca County Fair on July 27. Their short history together had little impact on their performance. They earned a spot in the top ten.

“I don’t practice barrels with her. I just ride her,” Lawless-Butts said. “I just keep her in shape and ride her.”

On Sunday, July 28, Lawless-Butts entered Stryker in the Open Class Barrels at the fair. She has been running barrels at the fair for over 50 years and has also competed with the National Barrel Horse Association.

“I’m always in the Seneca County and Sandusky County fairs,” she said.

Lawless-Butts didn’t hesitate to ride Stryker in the rodeo at the Seneca County Fair, even though they had been together such a short time.

“No matter what horse I have, I always ride in the Tiffin rodeo,” she said.

Watching from the side of the ring was her father, 81-year-old Fred Wolff, a longtime horse competition announcer for local fairs. He announced at the Sandusky County Fair for 45 years and at the Seneca County Fair for about five years before retiring two years ago. He also served as the fair’s cake auctioneer and owned Bittersweet Tack Shop at the Seneca County Fairgrounds.

He stepped into announcing organically. The fair needed an announcer, so he volunteered. He eventually bought his own sound equipment and became a reliable staple at local fairs.

“I enjoyed it, but I’ll be 82 in August, and it was time to give it up,” he said.

Barrel racing drew tough competition at the Seneca County Fair on July 28. (Photos by Sheri Trusty)