‘Horse Play’ Brings Equine Enthusiasts to Wisconsin from Around the Country

Introduction: With record-breaking attendance of over 60,000 fairgoers taking part in this year’s event, the Midwest Horse Fair has become one of the largest three-day horse fairs in the country since 1979. Isabella Montemurro reports.

(horses in stables neighing)

Montemurro narration: Every April I take a trip up to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin for the annual Midwest Horse Fair.

Schmidt: The people are wonderful, friendly all the horses too, come and see trainers. It’s just a lot of fun for the whole family.

Montemurro: That was Carole Schmidt with the Mustang group in pavilion 2

Schmidt: “We have mustangs and we love to show their versatility and all the things that they can do and kind of promote the breed and we’re just happy to show them off

Montemurro: There are over 800 horses to see at the fairgrounds

(Stable neighing between horses)

…with over 40 different breeds educating fairgoers on their horses, talents and skills in the two massive stable pavilions.

(Minnie Whinnie)

(Donkey braying)

Montemurro: Christine Neff and the Millcreek Hunt club, bring back a fan favorite discipline to go with this year’s theme: horseplay.

Neff: We have brought with us 19 of our foxhounds that we normally hunt with and we have about 12 horses with us and we are demonstrating the sport of fox hunting and showing people the hounds.

(hunt horn blowing)

Neff: We’ve had hounds here in 2012 and 2015 and now back this year.

Montemurro: What is your favorite part of the Midwest Horse Fair?

Neff: Besides the shopping, has gotta be all the people.

Montemurro: On the note of shopping, I headed over to the exposition hall to check out some of the 400+ vendors and speakers at the fair this year.

Montemurro: What is your first and last name?

Erin : Erin Wilson and I am here with Cargill animal nutrition. I am an equine veterinarian and nutrition consultant representing Nutrena and pro elite feeds so I am here to consult owners on equine nutrition, and do some educational seminars.

Kaylynn: My name is Kaylynn and I go to the Midwest horse fair to shop.

Husband: It’s a great time. I really enjoyed doing it. I come back every year.

Ella: It’s cool and there’s a lot of cool stuff.

Ella’s Mom: Laughing* Bring your checkbook.

Montemurro: I was looking for some western boots a *bit* more in my price range, and I found myself under the Colosseum speaking with Linda Pribeck, one of the original founders of the 4H underground tack sale.

(Fade into sale sounds)

Linda: I’ve been coming since, oh gosh, since it was originally in just the old forum and that’s as big as it was.

(Bit bin sounds)

Montemurro: What kind of went into the idea behind it?

Linda: We just thought at first that it would be a really good way for the 4H youth and other youth in the state to get really good buys to help them get started in the horses industry and also because youth outgrow things so quickly it would be a way for them sell what they’ve used for a year and buy what they need for the next and then just went with it from there.

(sale sound effects, coat racks)

Linda: The Entire sale is run by volunteers and without those volunteers we obviously couldn’t do it so we are so appreciative to all the people that donate to the 4H their time and their talents so we can keep doing the things that we need to do.

(Check out sequence, sale beeps, cash registers and thank yous )

Montemurro:There is a brief period where the afternoon vendors and events are done for the day and the Colosseum closes and doesn’t reopen until 6:30 to resume It’s evening festivities. I asked fellow Equestrian Savannah Williamson what she planned to do during the lull.

Williamson: Honestly, get food. I love seeing the new different foods If there’s new stuff out there. I just tried some Boba that was pretty fun yeah.

Montemurro: With both Friday and Saturday night selling out completely. No Midwest horse fair is  complete without the PRCA Rodeo.

Savannah: Rodeo.

Christine: Rodeo.

Ella: The rodeo.

(Rodeo run music/ beeps)

Savannah: the rodeo clown is probably my favorite

John (Clown): “ I love Madison, Wisconsin such a welcome, how are you Kenny?

 Kenny: Outstanding can’t get a better Saturday night at the Midwest horse fair, how many of you were here last night?

(Cheers)

You’re not gonna miss the rodeo here, are you? Haha.

John (clown): All right Madison let’s hear it one time 123

(more cheers, fade out)

Montemurro: This is Isabella for Media Milwaukee.