Time is running out to enter the Crawford County Fair and that includes the Fair Horse Show, to be held on the weekend following fair week, Saturday, August 17, beginning at 10 a.m.  The entry deadline, for online submission, is Friday, July 12. The paper entry deadline has already passed.

This year’s fair show has several new features, including more horseless classes, for junior exhibitors who don’t own their own horse, and Western Dressage Association of America equitation tests (Intro through Basic Levels).  It is exciting to think that as this new Western sport emerges at the national, and international levels, that Western Dressage is already being offered here in Crawford County.

Western Dressage is open to both Junior and Open exhibitors.

Other classes offered at the fair horse show include:  Halter, Showmanship, Horsemanship / Equitation (including both traditional English and Western Dressage), Driving, Trail and Gymkhana.  There are also special walk-trot classes for beginning riders and horses in early training.  The fair show offers an affordable, low-key opportunity for young riders or novice horses to experience their first show, or for more seasoned riders to have a qualified judge evaluate their work.

Younger Youth (Kindergarten through second grade) may also enter a horse judging class, in Department 17, item 71 in the fair book.  In this class, kids get to work with the judge to evaluate several classes and learn about good horsemanship from the official’s perspective.

The fairgrounds horse arena, in Gays Mills, has a naturally sandy footing that drains quickly, making it suitable for whatever weather nature might dish out this year. Everyone, including spectators, is invited to participate in a potluck lunch, which helps keep the day affordable for the whole family.

The fair book and online entries are available at crawfordcountywisconsinfair.com .

Western Dressage test copies can be found at westerndressageassociation.org/western-dressage-rules-tests/

Current USDF (English) dressage tests can be found at dressagestar.com.

For more information about the fair, contact Amanda Nagel at 608-412-4748

For information about the fair horse show, including interest in practicing the new dressage tests, contact Rebekah Ghormley at 624-5767 or ghorm@mwt.net .