"Meet Me in Lake St. Louis" Theme for IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show
RELEASE: August 16, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By IFSHA
“Meet Me in Lake St. Louis” is the theme for the Fourth Annual Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show, which will be held for the first time in the mid-western part of the United States. These are the official “Finals” for the International Friesian Show Horse Association's (IFSHA) end-of-year competitions championship and point show for the Farnam®/Platform™ United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year program. IFSHA is the official recognized affiliate for the Friesian breed by the USEF.
The venue was chosen for it’s central location and attributes that are conducive for the growth of this young, but important, event. "The National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO, is a perfect choice for our finals,” said IFSHA President Gareth A Selwood. “Our first show in 2004 was held in the Los Angeles area, our second in Virginia, with last years being held in Las Vegas, NV. At the end of the show in Las Vegas, the board of directors decided to try and find a location that was easier for horses to attend from both coasts, and we are hoping to become a permanent fixture in the Midwest at this facility.” Horses from as far away as Washington, Oregon and California have already committed to showing, as well as many horses from the East Coast and Texas.
The National Equestrian Center facility is host to many breed and discipline regional and national Championships, including dressage, hunter/jumper, rodeo and the American Saddlebred William Shatner Finals.
The USEF judges that will officiate are Michael Craghead (Arizona), Art Gaytan (Nevada) and Joan Harms (Illinois) for halter and performance, with Thomas Poulin (Illinois) completing the Officials roster for dressage. USEF Steward Cecile Hetzel-Dunn will assure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Doug Shane will act as master of ceremonies with Bob Sebastian as ringmaster.
Exciting plans for exhibitions and demonstrations are already under way and include notable equestrians such as Sabine Schuet-Kerry of Los Angeles, CA, who is stopping over to enchant the crowds on her way home from Devon. The Friesian horse is making quite an impact on the dressage world at all levels of competition and exhibition and nowhere else but at the show in Missouri will you see so many of the breed competing for honors together in the same place.
Dressage competition will open the show at 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 4, followed by halter and performance classes with exciting championship stakes finals on Friday and Saturday nights. Children’s classes have been limited to Saturday and Sunday to accommodate school schedules.
From saddle seat and park to dressage suitability and fantasy costume, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Carriage driving, show pleasure, pairs, four-in-hand, Unicorns and yes, even costume driving will captivate the audience all weekend as only the Friesian horse can. The quiet power and magical presence of the beautiful Friesian and Partbred Friesian horses will leave an impression on all those who come in contact with them, and there is no better place to see so much quality and diversity in disciplines than at this show. IFSHA will be hosting inspections for any and all European and American registries that would be interested in using this venue to accommodate American breeders during the horse show.
An exhibitors party is planned for Saturday night immediately following the night’s performance. Vendors will fill the arena surrounding the show with all their beautiful giftware, tack and equestrian jewelry. A silent auction for the benefit of the IFSHA Grand Nationals and World Championships will take place throughout the weekend, as well as the very successful “Stallion Services Auction” of stud fees donated by IFSHA membership. An official souvenir program is already in production, and advertisers are encouraged to contact Rahn Greimann at (507) 525-051