Everything equine this weekend at HorseFest

by Mark Parker

March 03, 2008 07:08 pm

— This is the weekend to swing into the saddle for HorseFest 2008, an unforgettable equine experience coming this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 7, 8 and 9, to Springfield, Mo.
Whether you're a competitor, trailrider, cowboy, cowgirl or a horseless horse lover, HorseFest will offer plenty to see and do. Start with a large trade show featuring a vast array of equine products, tack on clinics conducted by some of the best horsemen in the country, throw in entertainment and educational presentations and you’ve got HorseFest.
The Missouri Entertainment and Event Center, formerly the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, will be the site for the fourth edition of the area’s most important equine gathering.
Headlining this year’s event will be America’s most trusted horseman, John Lyons, whose training methods have influenced equine enthusiasts of every discipline and breed. From the backyard horse owner to the top level competitor, Lyons’ constantly evolving methods come from a lifetime of experience in the saddle and 27 years in the profession he pioneered.
Also featured will be Ken McNabb. Featured on RFD-TV, McNabb will be fresh off his appearance at the 2008 Road to the Horse Colt Starting Challenge. A master communicator, McNabb makes training easy to understand and workable for young and old as he’s proven to thousands of horsemen and horsewomen from coast to coast.
HorseFest will feature horses from some of the area’s top breeding farms. Horses of several breeds will be on display for viewing and for private treaty sales.
HorseFest will once again feature the HorseFest Shootout—flat-out, guns ablazing horsemanship by some of the area’s top cowboy mounted shooting competitors. The HorseFest Shootout will be held on Saturday and Sunday with a cowboy mounted shooting clinic presented by veteran shooter Jimmie Allen on Friday at 3 p.m.
Also on Friday at 9 a.m., a youth horse judging clinic will be conducted by Shannon Cunningham who coaches the highly successful equine judging team at Northeast Oklahoma A&M.
On Saturday, in addition to clinics by John Lyons and Ken McNabb, there will be breed demonstrations with the spotlight on Appaloosas running horse versus horse traditional Nez Perce races and Miniature Horses in harness as well as jumping. Those presentations will take place in the Arena at 1 p.m.
On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., Cowboy Church services will be held featuring John Lyons, Christian music by singer/musician Shannon Smith, Alma, Kan., cowboy poet Geff Dawson and a message of inspiration brought together by the Southwest Missouri Christian Cowboys.
Throughout the event, there will be educational presentations at the west end of the West Hall. Presenters and topics include equine massage therapist Jacki Thomas who will demonstration massage therapy as well as saddle fitting, Dennis Cappel who will speak on “What the Judge is Looking For,” Cindy Cappel, talking about “Women and Horses,” John McReady discussing “Equine Wound Care and Tying Safety,” and Dr. Martin Adams will will cover several nutrition-related topics, including “Feeding the older Horse,” “Feeding the Performance Horse,” “Products and Ingredients,” and “Electrolytes for Your Horse.”
HorseFest’s commercial trade show offers visitors an unbeatable shopping opportunity and gives horse-related businesses a hard-to-beat showcase for their products. From tack and trailers to western wear and equine decor, HorseFest brings it all together for area equine enthusiasts. No matter what the breed or the discipline is, though, the trade show will feature a bonanza of equestrian products. HorseFest will bring together the area’s largest gathering of horse-related goods and services, to give horse enthusiasts a one-stop shopping opportunity.
Adult admission for HorseFest will be $10 for adults and $5 for youth 13-18 years old. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. $3 off family discount coupons will be available at Gold Sponsor retail locations. Those locations are listed at www.horsefest.net. Gold sponsors include PFI Western Store, Purina Mills, Behlen Country Horseman’s Choice, Race Brothers Farm& Home Supply, Priefert Ranch Equipment, MFA, Powder Creek and John Deere in cooperation with Larson Farm & Lawn.
Hours for the event are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free.
For more information, contact Farm Talk at 620-421-9450 or the Missouri Entertainment & Event Center at 417-833-2660 or log on to horsefest.net.

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