Aug 28, 2008

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the curtain will rise on the 50th annual Show and Celebration of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. And, while the main focus of the Show and Celebration certainly is performance in the show arena, there are lots of other activities planned for riders and spectators alike. The show is held every year at the breed headquarters just north of Ava, beginning on Labor Day weekend. This year marks the 50th time the event has been held. The original show held in 1959 was only one day with eight classes. Over the years, the show has grown to a full week with 167 classes of competition in performance, model and versatility divisions. Daytime classes begin at 10 a.m., and the evening classes at 6:30 p.m. until the final Saturday evening when the show starts at 6 p.m. The population of Douglas County will increase dramatically this weekend, and with that in mind, Association and show officials are planning activities for the days leading up to the start of the shows. On Saturday night, the country band Two of a Kind, from the West Plains area, will present a three-hour concert in the main arena, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be $5 and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the entertainment. On Sunday morning, at 10 a.m., there will be a gospel program featuring Higher Vision and Promised Land. This program will be held in the Roy Williams Pavilion next to the Lions Club cook shack. Trail rides are planned Monday through Friday next week, with each ride forming at the area across Highway 5 from the show grounds at 9 a.m. Monday's ride will start from that location and will consist of a local ride around the Fox Trotter property. Tuesday through Friday, riders will gather at the same location, but will trailer their horses to the starting point. On Tuesday the ride will begin at Corbitt Potter's Field on the Glade Top Trail. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the ride will be at Brown's Cave in the vicinity of Bryant Creek and the Trappist Abbey Monastery. On Thursday, Sept. 4, the ride will be in the area of Crystal Lake east of Ava, and Friday's ride will visit the Elk Ranch near Brown Branch. Each day's ride will have a team of trail bosses including Bud Hutchison, Tom Nichols, Lemuel Berry, Joe and Wilma Hamby, Kay Allen, Dale Lawson, Nancy Burns, Dewayne Stephens, Bob Wheeler, David Emerson, and Gene Dunn. Lemuel Berry is trail ride chairman and can be contacted at 417-924-8376. Those riding should bring a sack lunch each day. Another added feature of the Golden Anniversary Show and Celebration will be a parade of Grand Champions on Friday night, Sept. 5, prior to the night's first class. A full dozen former World Grand Champions are scheduled to participate in this special feature event. Those planning to participate are: 1993, Missouri's Charming April M; 1994, Missouri's Charming Princess M; 1996, Pancho Villa A; 1998, Sundust's Red Lady J; 2000, Patriot's Scud Buster; 2001, Patriot's Traveling Spitfire; 2002, Southern Brandy; 2003, Prince Jester; 2004, Cardinal's Gunslinger A; 2005, Hey Ace M; 2006, Southern Playboy; and 2007, Frank's Kansas Red D. The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday afternoon, Sept. 6, in the Hall of Fame room adjacent to the world headquarters office. The names of this year’s inductees have not yet been made public. On a lighter side, immediately following the show on Thursday night, Sept. 4, there will be a karaoke contest and youth benefit auction. The first place winner in the late-night karaoke will take home $100 in prize money, with second place taking $50. The National Foal and Yearling Sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, will offer the chance to bid on 79 registered Missouri Fox Trotting weanlings and yearlings consigned by members from several states. The annual Affiliate Meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in the Hall of Fame room. The highlight of the show will be the crowning of the 2008 World Grand Champions in several divisions on Saturday night, Sept. 6. Horses and riders from across the nation will compete for the ultimate honor in the foxtrotting world.