In just over a week, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association will swing open the gates for the 52nd annual Show and Celebration.
The versatile official state horse, the Missouri Fox Trotter, will compete in everything from the “best of the best” gaited classes for the title of World Grand Champion to show jumping and cattle-working events.
The Fall Show and Celebration is much more than just a horse show—there is fun for everyone.
Some of the special activities scheduled this year include:
Sunday, Sept. 5: Cowboy Church at 8 a.m. and the 26th Anniversary Gospel Sing with Promised Land.
Thursday, Sept. 9: Youth Benefit Auction after the horse show.
Saturday, Sept. 11: 10 a.m. The National Sale of weanlings, yearlings, broodmares and riding horses.
In addition, there will be guided trail rides each day, Monday through Friday, and Vendors Row will offer everything a horse lover could want, right on the show grounds.
Trail Ride Schedule:
On Monday, Sept. 6, the ride will begin at 9 a.m. and will be around the grounds of the association, beginning on site.
Tuesday-Friday rides will begin at 10 a.m. and will require trailering your horse. Trailer caravans will leave from the MFTHBA grounds area at 9 a.m., according to Stephen Assenmacher, chairman of the National Trail Ride Committee.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7 the ride will be on the Corbitt Potter place in the Mark Twain National Forest south of Ava.
On Wednesday, Sept. 8, the ride will be on the Crystal Lake farm property east of Ava.
Thursday’s ride will be at the Elk Ranch in the Mark Twain National Forest.
Friday’s ride will be at Batman Ranch in the national forest.
The Fall Show and Celebration will begin on Saturday, Sept. 4 this year and run through the following Saturday night when the new World Grand Champion will be named.
Admission Sept. 4-9 will be $5; Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10 and 11 will be $6.
However, with the new Family Special, with two paid adult admissions you get up to four children in free! This incentive is being offered to encourage families to come out and see Missouri’s horse in action, and get a feel for the breed that calls Ava home.
Every day kids 6 and under get in free!
The officers, directors and members of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association invite you to join them Sept. 4-11 for a horse show that’s more than a show – It’s a Celebration!
The show grounds and headquarters complex is located one mile north of Ava on Highway 5. RV and camping spaces are available.
Beginning next weekend, the Ava Lions Club will also operate the “cook shack” around the clock, providing meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and all hours in between.
For more information see www.mfthba.com or call 417-683-2468.
