Plans Under Way for the Sixth Annual International Friesian Show Horse Association World and Grand National Horse Show
RELEASE: July 24, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Gareth Selwood
Plans are well under way for the greatest celebration of the Friesian Horse in the United States this year. Now in its sixth year, the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) World and Grand National Horse Show is being held for the third consecutive time at the National Equestrian Center in beautiful Lake St Louis, Missouri, October 28-November 1. The inaugural year was 2004 for this great event when it was held at the Industry Hill’s show grounds near Los Angeles, CA. In 2005, the event was moved to the great Virginia Horse Center to give Friesian enthusiasts from the East Coast their turn at exhibiting closer to home. In 2006, the event moved to the incredible new venue at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
After much deliberation and input from the membership, the Board of Directors of IFSHA voted to take the Finals to a centrally located facility, so more members could participate and make travel time equitable for exhibitors from both coasts. The facilities at Lake St Louis are made to order for the Friesian breed, and the staff continue to help make this show both a world-class championship event while keeping a more intimate, friendly and welcoming atmosphere for exhibitors, vendors, spectators and horses. A Stallion Parade and Sale Horse offering, as well as beautiful exhibition rides will be held throughout each performance.
Gareth A. Selwood has managed the event since 2006 and is aptly assisted by show secretary Nancy Nathanson, who was named a Top Ten USEF Secretary of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
New this year is a beautiful website, specifically built for the horse show to assist exhibitors and promote the show, vendors, sponsors and the breed. Anyone can visit the new site at
www.ifshaworld.com. Links are provided to affiliate organizations and sponsors as well as class lists and the officials.
Officiating this year are some of the country’s best. Carriage driving will be decided by the Honorable Audrey Bostwick from Perkasie, PA, with all dressage responsibilities going to the Lois Heyerdahl of Sparta, WI. Show ring classes, both halter and performance will be decided by the very capable and educated trio of the Dr. Walter de la Brosse of Los Angeles, CA; Gary Mullen of Fulton, MO; and Todd Trushel of Fairview, PA. Representing the best interests of the horses and exhibitors will be USEF Steward Shirley Nowak of Medina, OH. Master of ceremonies for the fourth year will be Doug Shane of Colorado with his magic box of music and great sense of humor adding to the festive occasion.
Sandy Jacob of Edgerton, WI, has volunteered to assist all the vendors with their needs and can be reached at
sandy@jacobhomes.net. IFSHA President and founding member Tammy Hildreth is organizing a stallion service auction of some of the best Friesian sires available to help raise funds for the World Show and can be reached at
thefishdoc@aol.com. Friesian trainer, Cassandra Adams will be in charge of all exhibitions and should be contacted as soon as possible by anyone wishing to participate at
dexbacon@yahoo.com.
A beautiful Souvenir Show Program will be available at the show and mailed to all IFSHA members. Advertising opportunities are still available with a space reservation deadline of August 15, 2009. For prices and reservations, please contact the publisher, Rahn Greimann at
ifsha@horsedigests.com. Any horse show questions should be directed to Nancy Nathanson at
thepark@hwy246.net,/a>. Sponsors, patron and any and all other inquiries are best answered by Show Manager Gareth A. Selwood at selwoodp@idcnet.com. Please make plans to visit the show and celebrate the