All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Thrilling trick riding show, entertaining cowgirls drill team coming to Strawberry Festival

Shadow Montag
Shadow Montag

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – While visitors await the May 11 W.Va. Strawberry Festival Horse and Carriage Parade at 3 p.m., all will be treated to a special trick riding show at noon in downtown Buckhannon.

Trick riding performer Shadow Montag from Belmont, Ohio will delight spectators with his horse riding maneuvers, along with a performance by the Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team from Tree Oaks, Michigan.

Shadow was raised in the rolling hills of Eastern Ohio knowing how to grab an audience’s attention and entertain a crowd. Show business is in his blood. His father was a professional bull rider and his mother managed rodeos. Shadow learned to ride before he could put together sentences.

At the age of 13, he traveled to Colorado and attended a professional training clinic schooled by legends in the Trick Riding industry. He landed a full time position as a performer bye the “Queen of County” Dolly Parton at her Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Soon after he was featured on the reality show “Bringing Up Bates” his career has how been catapulted by performing death defying acrobat stunts on the two beautiful black horses Thunder and Blitz. Shadow will ride 2 horses Roman Style in the horse and carriage parade.

The show is being sponsored by Dr. Michael Miller DDS. of Buckhannon.
The Horse and Carriage Parade is sponsored by Mike Ross, Inc. and Waco Oil and Gas.

The Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team will also perform. The team is comprised of riders from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The cowgirls own Quarter Horses, Paints, Arabian and others. The team rides exclusively in Western Style.

Their crown-pleasing performance has had the team invited to events throughout the Midwest and as far away as North Carolina. They have won numerous parade awards including multiple Best Unit at the famous Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade. In 2017, the Cowgirls were honored as one of only 40 units selected from over 3000 application to ride in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

The group’s shows include several drill routines, trick riding, roman riding, barrel racing, pole bending and other exciting performances.

The Cowgirls are outfitted in flashy costumes of beautiful white leather chaps highlighted with metallic blue, pink, and silver leather, sparkling blouses, white gloves and cowboy hats. Not to be outdone, the horses are dressed in matching custom-made leather tack highlighted with genuine Austrian Crystals and matching saddle blankets.

The show is a warm-up for the W.Va. Strawberry Horse and Carriage Parade later that day. The parade will feature dozens of carriages, individual riders and equestrian teams.

Visitors are invited to spend the day in downtown Buckhannon enjoying carriage rides, live entertainment and more throughout the day.

For more information on the Horse and Carriage Parade contact Susie Sheets at 304-613-0103 or email wildwood0103@gmail.com.

Additional Strawberry Festival information can be obtained by contacting Festival headquarters at 304-472-9036 or by visiting www.wvstrawberryfestival.com

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club announces youth winners in West Virginia Strawberry Festival photo exhibit

The Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club recognized youth photographers at the West Virginia Strawberry Festival photo exhibit, awarding Juliet Jenkins top honors and a special anniversary award.

Community member offers to fund anti-choking devices for Upshur County Youth Camp

After two medical emergencies at a family reunion, the Upshur County Commission agreed to purchase two LifeVac anti-choking devices for the youth camp, with the costs to be reimbursed by the Henderson family.

Upshur County Schools honors employees of the year

Upshur County schools recognized outstanding teachers and service personnel as Employees of the Year during a recent board meeting, with Victoria Norman and Brandon Kelley receiving countywide honors among several school-level awardees.

Buckhannon City Council Special Meeting Agenda: May 22, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council will hold a special meeting on May 22, 2025, with the agenda now available to the public.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 16, 2025

From joyful moments at the hospital with Strawberry Festival royalty to soil science projects, yard sale plans and community aid drives, Buckhannon is buzzing with local happenings and opportunities to get involved this week.

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for on-call skilled construction services

The City of Buckhannon is seeking bids for on-call skilled construction services, with bid documents available at City Hall and submissions accepted until 1:30 pm on June 16, 2025.

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for paving services

The City of Buckhannon is seeking bids for paving services until June 16, with bid details available at City Hall..

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for yard reclamation services

The City of Buckhannon is accepting bids for yard reclamation services until June 16, with bid details available at City Hall.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 15, 2025

It’s a busy week in Buckhannon, with the West Virginia Strawberry Festival in town all weekend!

Webb Grubb Day pays tribute to longtime Buckhannon law enforcement leader Virgil Miller

The eighth annual Webb Grubb Day honored the late Virgil Miller, former Buckhannon Police Chief and five-term Upshur County Sheriff, for his decades of dedicated law enforcement service to the community.

Klie Law Offices marks 20 years of fierce advocacy across West Virginia and Ohio

Klie Law Offices celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting its growth from a small rural firm to a four-city legal advocate known for aggressive, client-focused representation in West Virginia and Ohio.

City of Buckhannon prohibits smoking and vaping at West Virginia Strawberry Festival

The City of Buckhannon has banned smoking, vaping and all tobacco use in public areas during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, with violators subject to fines.