Horse enthusiasts from all over the Midwest gathered February 29, March 1 and 2, at the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, for EquiFest of Kansas 2008 presented by Shepler’s. EquiFest enthusiasts enjoyed equine entertainment, top-notch clinicians, lectures and workshops, plus shopping in a full building of trade show booths. Attendance was comparable to last year, with just under 17,000 people attending the event.
EquiFest featured the ever-popular Equine Extravaganza on Saturday evening, which showcased a broad variety of equine entertainment. From the lighthearted music of Al Ragusin and his dancing palomino, to the serene, graceful dressage kur performed by Regina Ware, audiences were treated to an enchanting evening. The excitement revved up a notch, as the crowd cheered for their favorite knight in a jousting match, complete with knights in shining armor riding costumed steeds, in a competitive and entertaining performance by Hanlon-Lees. And jumping horses showed off their athletic abilities, as they put on a “reverse limbo” jumping contest – topping near five feet!
EquiFest of Kansas 2008 clinicians provided outstanding educational opportunities, teaching riders and audiences about Western Horsemanship, Horse Showing, Ranch Roping, Jumping, Dressage, Mules, General Riding Instruction and Horse Training. Appearing daily were: Curt Pate; Cleve Wells; Jimmy Driver; Jane Armour; Sandy Hotz; Bob Jeffreys with Suzanne Sheppard; Steve Edwards; and Al Ragusin.
Winners of the EquiFest Stall Decorating Contest were announced Sunday at EquiFest, and they received cash prizes. In the Breed/Discipline category: First Place went to the High Plains Paso Fino Horse Association; Second Place to the International Plantation Walking Horse Registry; and Third place went to the Friesian Horses of Kansas City. In the Stallions Category, winners were: First Place: Mountains Frost-Lazy J Ranch, Randy Frost from Viola, Kansas, and his American Quarter Horse stallion; Second Place: Vic and Debbie Davis of Turney, Missouri, and their Rocky Mountain Horse stallion; and Third Place went to JM Quarter Horses, Jerry and Melinda Voorhies of Ashland, Kansas and their American Quarter Horse stallion.
EquiFest of Kansas will be presented next year, a bit earlier than previous years, on February 13, 14, and 15, 2009, at the Kansas Coliseum, in Wichita, Kansas. Featured clinicians will include Craig Cameron with Ride Smart clinics and his Extreme Cowboy Race, Peggy Brown with Centered Riding and Driving, and Ken McNabb and Discovering the Horseman Within. Additional clinicians and attractions will be announced at a later time.
EquiFest of Kansas is presented by the Kansas Horse Council, a nonprofit association formed to further the common interests of horse people and to promote the entire equine industry. The Kansas Horse Council has contracted with Equine Promotions Inc., to professionally manage EquiFest of Kansas. Equine Promotions Inc. is an event management company with extensive experience in equine event administration.
Sponsors for EquiFest of Kansas 2008 include: Down Under Saddle Supply; Exiss Trailers; Holton Trailer Sales; John Deere; Kansas Ag Network; KZSN; Mid-America Ag Network; Oklahoma Trailer Center; Orthoflex Saddle Works; Purina Mills LLC; Shepler’s the EquiFest presenting sponsor; and We Embroider.
