The award-winning Midwest Charity Horse Show has taken advantage of the long snowy winter in adding several new classes to this year’s edition. Midwest’s board of directors tightened up the schedule and added a Hackney Horse division—classes include a Single Horse Open, an Amateur Single Horse, Champion Single Horse and Open Pairs Driving. Pink will be the color of the evening on Friday in honor of Midwest’s new Pink Ribbon Class, number 154, Five Gaited Ladies Amateur Championship. Changes to existing classes include class 74, now the Arabian Gelding Hunter Pleasure Open, and class 93, now the Arabian Stallion and Mares Hunter Pleasure Open.

Midwest is pleased to participate in the Equine Services Roadster Cup $25,000 added point incentive program in 2010. Grand National classes include a $1,800 Show Pleasure Driving Championship, $1,800 Park Pleasure Junior class and a $5,000 Three-Gaited Open Championship Special Stake as well as a USEF Triple Points show in the Roadster division.

The Midwest Charity Horse Show, held June 15-19, 2010, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, a premiere Saddlebred, Roadster, Morgan and Arabian horse and Hackney/Harness pony show, features over 600 horses with exhibitors attending from 25 states. Midwest Charity is the largest annual show regularly held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and has been recognized as the “National Honor Show” of the year by the United Horsemen’s Association six times, including the 2009 edition. Show times are daily at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Sandra Lilly of Princeton, WV, and Merrill Murray of Versailles, KY, will judge Saddlebreds, Roadsters, Hackney/Harness ponies, Hackney horses and equitation; John Whalen of Monroe, NC, will officiate Saddlebreds, Roadsters, Hackney/Harness ponies, Hackney horses, equitation and Morgans.; and Jill Mohr has been hired as the Arabian judge. Midwest’s official photographer is Doug Shiflet and official videographer is Seehorse Video of Arcadia, IN.

Midwest Charity will delight and entertain exhibitors with their legendary nightly parties, Tuesday through Friday nights after the last class in the famous “Party Barn” decorated with Persian rugs, chandeliers, colorful tablecloths and flowers. Tuesday’s party will feature Susan Kerr’s famous homemade chicken salad and honey baked ham. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s parties will be catered by Springfield’s own Poe’s Catering. The parties culminate with Friday’s Italian party.

For more information about the Midwest Charity Horse Show, call Show Manager/President Judy Kjellander at (217) 793-0670. To get a prize list, contact Margaret Strano at (217) 787-6745 or [email protected]. Those who are online can visit www.midwestcharity.com to check for updates regarding the 2010 show.