Al Dunning will be featured at 2012 South Dakota Horse Fair

The South Dakota Horse Council is hosting the 2012 South Dakota Horse Fair. The 20-plus year of this regional event will be held March 16-17 in the expo building of the W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, SD.

2012 will feature Al Dunning, a nationally-known speaker and clinician. The three-day South Dakota Horse fair offers something for all equine interests via tradeshow, youth programs, the three-day Horseman’s Challenge, and a Ranch Rodeo on Saturday night.

Dunning will conduct a working cow horse and horsemanship clinics on Friday. Clinic space is limited, Sign up forms are at http://www.sdhorsefair.com. The chance to audit Dunning’s Friday clinic is also available online. Additional Dunning presentations, scheduled Saturday and Sunday, are open to all at no additional fee other than gate admission. Dunning provides an opportunity to learn more about not only western events, but the horse overall. His expertise can aid in participants in becoming a knowledgeable horse person on topics such as equine management, training and exhibiting a horse. Novice and even well-seasoned horse persons will benefit from Dunning’s knowledge.

The three-day Horseman’s challenge is open to all breeds, and offers the rider and horse the thrill of competing against one another in various tasks in the show ring. New task sets for the rider are often demonstrated as the skill of the horse breed is evaluated by the judge. Rider competition and bragging rights for the breed are at stake.

Saturday evening’s Ranch Rodeo is included in Saturday’s gate admission and features multi-person teams competing with their horses in tasks similar to daily chores completed on a working ranch. Ranch skills, good old-fashioned “livestock-and-horse-sense” along with a bit of luck will come in to play for a team to earn the winning score.

Church, 4-H and FFA groups will enjoy the club-friendly South Dakota Horse Fair Youth events scheduled throughout the entire three-day weekend. Fun equine learning will be the focus. Judging and horse safety presentations are scheduled and the popular Stick Horse Contest will capture the energy of the very young horse friends.

Breed Boulevard and Stallion Row will showcase equine genetics. The vendor area and tradeshow offer shopping options for everyone. Demonstrations will be on-going in the Expo Building at the W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls. Sunday morning includes a Cowboy Church service.

Forms for Dunning’s clinic registration and contact information, vendor opportunities, the three-day Horseman’s Challenge and Saturday evening Ranch Rodeo entries and information are available online.

visit http://www.sdhorsefair.com for schedule updates.

– south dakota horse council