The Latest News

The MFTHBA Versatility Committee invites you to learn more about the versatility classes offered at the Celebration.

The MFTHBA Versatility Committee is hosting a special Q&A Session/Clinic for those interested in learning more about the versatility classes on the Celebration schedule.  “We are excited about the interest and questions we have received in the versatility classes,” shared Debbie Johnson, MFTHBA Versatility Chairman.  “Since we anticipate many new exhibitors this year, our committee felt it would be helpful to schedule a time to answer questions.”

The Versatility Committee prides itself on creating a welcoming environment for exhibitors at all MFTHBA shows and encourages anyone interested in learning more to attend the session or to try a few classes.

The session starts at 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, at the Versatility Arena.  Committee members will be on hand to answer questions about the classes.  In addition, demonstrations will be hosted to assist attendees in learning about the various classes.

To assist those new to MFTHBA shows, the MFTHBA Membership Committee plans to host a welcome session for those new to showing at MFTHBA events. The session, scheduled for Sunday, September 2, will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about classes, show requirements, and the DQP process. In addition, it will help connect those new to showing with experienced exhibitors that can help mentor them throughout the week.

“I remember the feeling of being a new exhibitor but not knowing who could answer my questions,” shared Amy Stangl, MFTHBA Membership Committee Chairman. “Our committee wants to help those new to the show ring connect with people who can answer their questions.”

The session will be held at 11 a.m. in the Hall of Fame room at the MFTHBA World Headquarters.

It is time to RSVP for the 5^th Annual Membership Dinner.  Susan and Aaron Stanifer are organizing this year’s special dinner in conjunction with the MFTHBA Membership Committee.

The menu of this year’s dinner will consist of fried fish, chicken fingers, baked beans, hush puppies, and French fries.

The Membership Committee will also give the first 250 members to go through the line with a reusable commemorative cup featuring the 60^th anniversary logo and past World Grand Champion horses.

The dinner will once again take place at the Versatility arena.  It will be on Saturday, September 1^st at 6 p.m.

To help with planning, please RSVP by Saturday, August 25^th by using the provided link or calling the MFTHBA Office at (417) 683-2468.

Susan Stanifer is also coordinating a bake sale to take place during the dinner.  If you would like to donate baked goods to the sale, please contact Susan for more information.

RSVP Online

Make plans to attend the Fun Dog Show.

When you drive around the MFTHBA World Headquarters during the World Show and Celebration, you quickly realize that Missouri Fox Trotting Horse owners love their dogs.  Relaxing at the stalls, riding on golf carts, and napping in the camper, there are cute, adorable pups all over the grounds.

“The dog shows in 2015 and 2016 were a lot of fun.  We didn’t have one last year, and we heard from a lot of members that they missed it,” shared Monica Daugherty, MFTHBA Membership Committee member.  “This isn’t meant to be a serious dog show, but just a way for everyone to have fun.”

Amy Stangl, MFTHBA Membership Committee Chairman, added, “Monica has done a great job of organizing the dog shows for the Membership Committee, and we know that this one will be just as much fun as the first two.  We hope people will continue to have a good time with it.”

This fun event will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 7, in the Dale Esther Arena.  Five classes will be held and prizes will be given out.

Participants may begin entering in the MFTHBA office on Sunday, September 2nd.  Entries will close at 1:30 on Friday, September 7.

Start making plans now to show your favorite dog!

MFTHBA’s Fun Dog Show

2 p.m. at the Main Arena on Friday, September 7

1:  Dog Costume Class

2:  Toy/Small Dog (Under 14 Inches)

3:  Medium to Large Dog (14 Inches & Above)

4:  Trick Class

5:  Cutest Dog

** Entry fee = $5 per dog per class

**All dogs need to abide by the MFTHBA’s vicious dog policy. Please have your dog current on their vaccinations.

Dog Show Entry Form

Are you interested in combining your love of horses, obstacle challenges, and cards into one fun-filled activity?  Start getting your horse ready for the first MFTHBA Poker Run hosted by the MFTHBA Membership Committee.

“MFTHBA member Susan Thomlinson sent me a message in July with a new idea for the World Show and Celebration.  The rest of the committee agreed that it sounded like an event that everyone would love,” shared Amy Stangl, MFTHBA Membership Committee Chair.  “We hope that everyone will join us at the Fox Trot playground for some fun, and also a chance to win some money.”

The rules of the Poker Run are simple.  Each horse and rider team will have three chances at each of the eight obstacles.  A rider will draw a card for each obstacle completed.  Riders are not permitted to exchange cards with other riders.

After all teams have completed the course, all riders will meet to determine the winners.  There will be two opportunities for riders to win:  the best Poker Hand and the Highest Score.  For the Best Poker Hand, riders will choose the best five cards that they have in order to make the best Poker hand.  Jokers will be wild.  The rider with the best hand will win.  For the Highest Score category, riders will count up the total of their cards using a pre-determined scoring system.  The rider with the highest score will be the winner.

The entry fee for this event is $20 with 100% of the entry fee going to payback.  Plus, Wilson Farms Fox Trotters have added money to each category.

The Poker Run will take place on Saturday, September 8^th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fox Trot Playground.  You may enter on Saturday morning at the Fox Trot Playground beginning at 9 a.m.

Poker Run Information

Poker Run Liability Form

Celebration class entry forms are now available online.  Exhibitors wanting to take advantage of the early entry discounted fee should enter by August 24.

To address the concern presented by exhibitors at the 2018 Spring Show regarding exhibitors that pre-entered being asked to enter classes first, exhibitors taking advantage of the discounted fee will be assigned higher numbers.  This should assist them in not appearing first on the class sheet.

“We want to encourage exhibitors to enter early,” shared Cathy Lansdown.  “We hope this change will better accommodate the exhibitors utilizing the pre-entry process.”

MFTHBA Forms Page

2018 Celebration — PDF Format

In response to exhibitor requests, the MFTHBA Board of Directors approved the Versatility Committee’s request to add Open Amateur classes to the versatility class schedule.  The 2018 versatility class list will include a full schedule of Open, Open Amateur and Youth classes to be held on Sunday, September 3 through Tuesday, September 5.  Competition in the versatility arena will begin each morning at 10 a.m.  The full schedule for the Celebration will be released soon.

The Versatility Committee is also pleased to announce that again this year, payback money has been donated for the Versatility World Grand Champion titles.  In addition to the prestige that comes along with being named a Top 5 Versatility World Grand Champion, winners will split $8000 in payback.

In addition, Versatility World Grand Champions and Reserve World Grand Champions along with the Ranch Horse World Grand Champions and Reserve World Grand Champions will be recognized in the Dale Esther Arena.

The Top 5 for the Open and Open Amateur divisions will each split $3000 in payback.  Youth competitors will split $2000.  Exhibitors will need to have a W-9 on file with the MFTHBA prior to receiving payback checks.  Checks for the first and second place winners will be presented during the Dale Esther Arena presentation.  Winners of third through fifth placings will be able to pick up their checks in the MFTHBA office the day following the presentations.

The Top 5 in each division will receive payback at the following percentages:

1st: 30%

2nd: 25%

3rd: 20%

4th: 15%

5th: 10%

Payback for the Open and Open Amateur World Grand Champion Top 5 will be:

1st: $900

2nd: $750

3rd: $600

4th: $450

5th: $300

Youth payback will be:

1st: $600

2nd: $500

3rd: $400

4th: $300

5th: $200

In the event that a division does not have 5 entries, payback money not paid out by placing will be divided evenly among the other placing entries in that division.

Special merchandise to recognize the 60^th World Show and Celebration will be available for pre-order at the Spring Show and Three Year Old Futurity this coming June.  Hats, t-shirts and more will be made available utilizing a special logo designed specifically for this year’s Celebration.

Watch for more information on this special merchandise as the event gets closer.

Special recognition is being planned for the 60^th Annual World Show and Celebration scheduled for this September.  The MFTHBA plans to recognize the following individuals and horses during the event:

• All past Open 5 years and older World Grand Champions
• Individuals that have attended all 60 world championship shows
• Past and present members of the MFTHBA Board of Directors
• Families of the founding members of the MFTHBA

There will be a booth at the 2018 Spring Show and Three Year Old Futurity where individuals can obtain more information on the special events planned for the World Show and Celebration.  Individuals are encouraged to stop by the booth in the Roy Williams Pavilion.

Anyone with questions about these special recognition opportunities should contact Mitzi Nichols, MFTHBA Show Committee Chairman at 417-588-5696 or mitzml@hotmail.com.  Questions may also be directed to Pam Middleton, MFTHBA Historical Committee Chairman, at 417-880-0361 or jpmiddletonllc@outlook.com