Gerald and Collins Fontenot have a passion for horses

By: MICHAEL BORDELON

News Editor

Ville Platte resident Gerald Fontenot, 81, has spent his whole life around horses, raising registered Quarter Horses for many years, and his son, Collins, is largely following in his father’s footsteps.

Fontenot, who said he has ridden horses all of his life, began riding in the Tournoi at the age of 23. The year was 1952, during only the third running of the Tournoi, when Fontenot mounted his horse and made his first run through the horse-shoe course. He became interested in the Tournoi after watching the first run in 1950. While his first run yielded no awards, he racked up plenty over the years. In 1967, Fontenot was crowned champion, and over the years he has placed second twice and third once. He also has been awarded the trophy for the fastest time and sportsmanship (twice). Fontenot’s Tournoi career lasted over two decades, from 1952 to 1977.

Collins also tried his hand at the Tournoi competition, running from 1970 to 1976, but admits he was not as successful as his father. He captured 18 rings one year but only came out third.

“Nowadays, if you get 18 rings, chances are you’re going to win,” Collins said. “But back then you could get 18 rings and still not even place.”

Fontenot’s involvement in the Tournoi Association did not end when he stopped running. He still serves as a member of the association and said he likes to be as involved in the competition as he can.

His involvement in Tournoi also led to honors from the Cotton Festival, which has been closely tied to the Tournoi competition since the beginning. Fontenot was named Colonel Cotton for the 1986 festival and parade marshal of the Cotton Festival parade shortly thereafter.

Other honors poured in for Fontenot in 1986, including being named the Ville Platte Rotary Club’s Man of the Year, an honor he appreciates to this very day.

Fontenot also devoted much of his time to 4-H, as did Collins, who got involved in raising and showing his father’s horses in school as a member of 4-H and FFA (Future Farmer’s of America). For 10 years, Fontenot was a judge for 4-H Livestock shows (open horse division). Collins even went on to college at McNeese State University on a scholarship he received due to his 4-H involvement.

Fontenot also has dabbled in several other interests. Notably as a humorist, where he has entertained at church functions as well as the Cattleman’s Association. However, he said he did not intentionally become a humorist.

“I like to tell jokes,” Fontenot said. “It comes naturally to me.”

Fontenot said during his travels with his wife, Verna, he often told jokes to other local travelers and word got around. Soon after, he was receiving invites to tell jokes at gatherings. He even traveled to Belgium in 1992 to entertain at the Agricultural Fair there.

Another notable interest Fontenot devoted his time to was music. He learned to play the harmonica after he retired and became a member of the band Senior Music Makers. They performed for the elderly at nursing homes and other functions.

Also after retiring, he and Verna began to travel.

“We’ve covered about every state in the country,” Fontenot said. “And we’ve been to Canada three times.”

From Alcatraz and San Francisco to Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park, the Fontenot’s have traveled far and wide, but of all the places he’s visited, Fontenot said Nebraska and Kansas are his favorite.

“It’s beautiful farm country over there,” he said. “It’s all rolling farm land.”

Fontenot and Collins still raise their Quarter Horses, and have recently had several new additions. Collins also has continued showing horses at shows around the state and country, traveling as far as Oklahoma City to the World Show, an event that showers have to qualify for to enter. Collins shows his own horses as well as hiring out to train, condition and show horses for other people. He estimated he participates in 20 to 25 shows each year.

Fontenot and his son obviously enjoy what they do and have shared that joy with many others over the years. They hope to continue to do so for many years to come.