Ava, Missouri – MAY 23, 2016 – The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA) will hold its 37^th Annual Three Year Old Futurity and Spring Show June 8-11, at the MFTHBA show grounds, located one mile north of Ava, Missouri, on Hwy 5. More than 300 horses will participate in 65 classes including model, performance, and versatility competitions.  The feature event will be the Three Year Old Futurity.  Preliminaries will be held on Thursday evening with the finals held on Saturday.  The Three Year Old Futurity features some of the best young Missouri Fox Trotting Horses debuting in their first performance show.  In addition, the MFTHBA hosts daily trail rides Tuesday through Friday during the event.  A complete schedule of events is available at www.mfthba.com/springshow.

Fox Trotters from across the United States and Europe will compete in the Three Year Old Futurity classes. “These young horses will be experiencing their first show when they enter the ring on Thursday night.  It is a testament to the willing disposition of the breed that they respond so well.  Our members put a great deal of work into preparing their horses for this event,” said Graening.

Evening sessions will run from Wednesday through Saturday.  The show begins at 6:30 p.m. each evening. On Friday, there will be action in the versatility arena starting at 10 a.m.  Friday will feature the Missouri Fox Trotting Pony.  On Saturday, a full lineup of versatility classes begins at 9 a.m.  The show will conclude on Saturday evening with the crowning of the 2016 Three Year Old Futurity Champions. Nearly $20,000 will be awarded in the Futurity classes.

A special feature of the MFTHBA Spring Show is a youth seminar beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday that promotes horsemanship excellence and gaited horse skills in kids ages 6 to 17. All youth are welcome to participate in the seminar, and horse ownership is not a requirement. The seminar is free for MFTHBA member youth and only $15 for non-MFTHBA members.

The MFTHBA will also recognize 2015 award winners.  Prior to the start of the evening show on Friday, June 10, the top 5 Breeding Sires, top 5 stallions, trainer of the year and sportsmanship winner will be recognized.

The 2015 Breeding Sire of the Year was Jester’s Charming Legend owned by Brian Oglesby of Perry, Missouri. The top breeding sire list represents the top producing stallions of registered Missouri Fox Trotters in 2015.  Also included in this prestigious award were Grand Central, owned by Joe and Jennifer Stewart of Farmington, Arkansas; Southern Playboy, owned by Clyde Connelly of Ava, Missouri; Sunrise’s Masterpiece owned by Connie Stockton of Marshfield, Missouri; and Sunrise’s One-Eyed Pirate owned by Larry Stevens of Marshfield, Missouri.

The top 5 stallions is headlined by Grand Central, owned by Joe and Jennifer Stewart of Farmington, Arkansas.  Also included were Southern Playboy, owned by Clyde Connelly of Ava, Missouri; Jester’s Charming King R. owned by Becky Bailey of Russellville, Arkansas; Jester’s Charming Legend owned by Brian Oglesby of Perry, Missouri; and the late Prince Jester owned by Majestic Foxtrotters, LLC in Buffalo, Missouri.  These stallions had offspring earning the most points at MFTHBA sponsored shows in 2015.

The MFTHBA will also recognize the 2015 Matt Keeter Sportsmanship Award Winner, Darrell Martin of Rolla, Missouri and the 2015 Trainer of the year, Vance Vahle of Bolivar, Missouri

Gate admission is $5 on Wednesday and Thursday and $6 on Friday and Saturday.  For accommodation or show information, please visit www.mfthba.com/springshow.

Any horse owner will enjoy trail rides departing from the show grounds on Tuesday through Friday mornings.  Rides are open to all riders, regardless of the breed of horse and you do not have to be an exhibitor to participate.  All horses entering the show grounds will need proof of their horse’s negative Coggins test and a certificate of veterinary inspection. Call +1-417-683-2468 or the spring show website for information.

Coming up on September 5-10, the MFTHBA will host the World Show and Celebration, where the finest in the breed compete for the World Grand Champion title.