The Missouri State Fair competition schedule officially gets underway this Thursday, July 25, with the 4-H and FFA Horse Show, followed by the prestigious Society Horse Show beginning July 30. Both events are open to the public at no charge.
"Horse shows are always an impressive part of the Fair," Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. "The Youth Show and the Society Horse Show, held prior to the Fair start date to help manage the quantity of competitions offered by the Fair, are enjoyable, free entertainment opportunities for families."
The 4-H and FFA Horse Show will start at 2 p.m., July 25, at the Coliseum, with an 8 a.m. start time July 26, in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Saturday and Sunday shows will begin at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. at the Coliseum and Mathewson Exhibition Center, respectively. All show classes will be under the direction of the Fair's equine superintendent Jamie Daniel.
Orscheln Farm and Home is the sponsor the t-shirts worn by the youth during these shows and during the Fair, and their Missouri stores, as well as Missouri Breaktime Convenience Stores, serve as retail outlets for advance adult gate admission tickets, which are on sale now for $6 through Aug. 7.
The Society Horse Show will begin with Walking Horse and Fox Trot competitions at 6 p.m. July 30. Competitions will continue with start times at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily July 31-Aug. 3. All events will be held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center and managed by the Fair's superintendent Lenard Davenport.
The Society Horse Show will also host two annual ceremonies on the fairgrounds. The first ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 2, recognizing Floyd and Lynn Posenke, of Springfield, for their years of participation in the Show. The second ceremony will recognize grand and stake championships the evening of Aug. 3.
Start times are tentative for both the 4-H and FFA Horse Show and the Society Horse Show, due to variances with competitions.
The 111th Missouri State Fair, themed "Chicks Dig It!," will be held Aug. 8-18 in Sedalia. For complete schedules for both shows and for more information about the Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3427).