Pull those cinches tight and snug up that stampede string because it's Horsefest time again in Springfield, Mo.
Horsefest, now in its sixth year, has proved to be the area's major equine exposition and is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12, 13 and 14 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
The event, which is aimed at everyone interested in the equine industry, is co-produced by Farm Talk Newspaper and the Ozark Empire Fair. Hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the event.
This year, Horsefest promises to be as good as ever with top-notch clinicians and a list of daily activities sure to keep everyone busy.
However, without a host of generous sponsors it would be hard to pull such an event off.
This year's Gold Sponsors include PFI Western Store, Purina Mills, MFA/Applegate and Race Brothers/Priefert.
In addition to the clinicians and special events, Horsefest will feature the area's largest equine-oriented trade show with over 300 booths.
When it comes to clinicians at this year's Horsefest the producers of the event have raised the bar once again presenting Stacy Westfall and Westfall Horsemanship.
Famous for her bridleless and saddleless reining patterns, Westfall uses her years of equine experience to direct clinic attendees and their horses in the direction they've been searching for. No stranger to horsemanship, Westfall has trained her way into being one of the country's top clinicians and reining competitors.
While she continues to compete, start young horses and train, she truly loves to explain to people what her mom encouraged her to learn–to discover the "why" behind what the horse does.
In addition to Westfall, Kerry Kuhn will be making a return trip to Horsefest. The Coats, Kan., horseman will bring his method of "Practical Horsemanship" to Horsefest to help area horsemen and horsewomen further down the trail toward a more satisfying horse-rider relationship.
Kuhn's "Practical Horsemanship" approach has been built over the past 22 years of working with horses and is developed to help equine enthusiasts better balance their own horsemanship.
"The most important part is realizing there is much more to the horse than what you can see," Kuhn explains.
Westfall and Kuhn will be putting on their horsemanship clinics each day of Horsefest but there is much more. Each day, Horsefest will feature a host of "Mane Events."
The Mane Events include:
•Youth Horse Judging Clinic Friday morning with NE Oklahoma A&M Equine Judging Coach Shannon Cunningham.
•Cowboy Mounted Shooting on Saturday and Sunday.
•Ultimate Horsemen's Challenge, competitive obstacle course clinic on Friday and competition on Saturday.
•Live horse displays every day of Horsefest in the livestock barns.
•Trade show featuring over 300 booths focused on the horse and horse owner, every day.
•Cowboy church service with cowboy Christian music for anyone who wants to attend Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Exhibit halls will open following the church service at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Regardless of your particular interest, from cowboys and horses to training and perfecting, there is something for everyone at this year's Horsefest.
Admission for Horsefest will be $10 each day for adults. Youth ranging in age from 13-18 can purchase tickets for $5 and children 12 and under are admitted free.
Those interested in coming to Horsefest can also obtain $3 Off Family Coupon locations through our sponsors page.
See Stacy Westfall's 2006 AQHA Congress Freestyle Reining run on the clinicians page.
For more information, contact Farm Talk at (620) 421-9450 or the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at (417) 833-2660.
Get saddled up for three days of horsin' around!
Located at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, Mo.
Produced by the Ozark Empire Fair and Farm Talk Newspaper.
Call 800-356-8255 or 417-833-2660 for more information.
