25th Illinois Horse Fair is the one you'll want to see

[January 25, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD — With headliners Chris Cox and Yvonne Barteau; clinics by Terry Myers, Liz Graves, Scott McKinsey, Susan White, Steve Kutie, Jennifer Kotylo, Tim Boyer and many others, including Lyle East with his world-class stock dogs; plus breed and sport demonstrations; HorsesForSale; Stallion Row; shopping; and over 90 educational and informational seminars to choose from; you won't find a dull moment at the 2014 Illinois Horse Fair. The event will be March 7-9 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Advance tickets are on sale now for the evening show, "East Meets West — An Equine Extravaganza," that promises to thrill fairgoers of all ages with the magic and musicality of horses. Produced by Kim and Yvonne Barteau, formerly with Arabian Nights, the show will feature the best of the East and the West and where they meet in the middle, with a special appearance by Chris Cox. The show is sponsored by Barrington Saddlery, Ariat International and Steak 'n Shake.

Fairgoers will also want to see the new Heartland Horseman's Challenge. In this event, four Illinois-based horsemen — Jud Carter, of DeWitt; Gigi Iacovelli, Barrington Hills; Laurie Treber, Shirley; and Jason Forby, Goreville — will be given the opportunity to choose and work with a rescue horse, culminating in a freestyle ride and challenge course. The horses will be available for adoption throughout the event from the partnering organization, Hooved Animal Humane Society, of Woodstock. The competition is sponsored by The State House Inn. To learn about the competitors, horses and judges for the inaugural Heartland Horseman's Challenge, visit the website, http://www.horsemenscouncil.org/horsefair/.

Also at the Illinois Horse Fair for 2014, visitors can see Mr. Truck from RFD's Equestrian Nation and get the latest information on how to maximize their trailer towing experience. Mid-Rivers Equine Centre will give daily tours of their mobile medical care unit, with capabilities such as lameness exams, injections, ultrasounds, X-rays, dentistry, reproductive medicine and standing surgeries. The Young Riders area will feature daily activities for future horsemen, including the queen and princess pageants, and the Indiana-Illinois Competitive Mounted Orienteering group will have a daily orienteering "competition."

Sponsors for the Illinois Horse Fair are Purina Equine Feed, Midway Trailer Sales, Illinois Farm Bureau, Kubota USA and Green Dodge Ram Trucks.

The Illinois Horse Fair is produced by the Horsemen's Council of Illinois with a largely volunteer workforce. The success of the fair allows the council to advocate for equine-related activities in Springfield and throughout the state for all horsemen regardless of breed or discipline.

For exhibitor information or to find out how to volunteer at the Illinois Horse Fair, contact Karen Freese, manager, at 217-677-2267 or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Horsemen's Council of Illinois]