Spring is starting, and equestrians across the country are
prepping for show season. To thousands of equine enthusiasts in the central
upper states, the annual Midwest Horse Fair represents the unofficial start of
the warm-weather riding season.
Sure, it sometimes snows at the fair, but Midwestern
equestrians tend to be a hardy bunch, no matter what the temperature may be.
Before you pack for the Midwest Horse Fair this year, why not
test your knowledge of this popular three-day equine exposition? Try this
criss-cross puzzle, just for fun.
(You may choose to print it out, so you can pencil in the blanks.)
Across
2. What 2013 event, new this year to the Midwest Horse Fair,
is enlisting horses to model vendors' tack and horse-wear?
5. What skilled individuals will play with fire in a big tent at the Midwest Horse Fair?
8. What ticketed event takes place Friday night, April 19th,
at the 2013 Midwest Horse Fair?
9. Who is directing the Epic Night of Horses and Heroes on
Saturday night, April 20th?
10. Where is the Alliant Energy Center?
11. Who is the Guinness World Records' tallest living horse, returning to
the Midwest Horse Fair in 2013?
Down
1. How can horse lovers score free tickets to the Midwest
Horse Fair?
3. Where can horse lovers find studs of many breeds on
display at the Midwest Horse Fair?
4. What is the 2013 Midwest Horse Fair theme? (OK, this one is just too easy.)
6. What designated area of the Midwest Horse Fair offers
events designed with children in mind?
7. What special people will be admitted free to the 2013
Midwest Horse Fair on Sunday, April 21st?
Did you fill in all
the boxes?
I’ll be at the fair …
will you?
The 2013 Midwest Horse Fair runs from Friday, April 19,
through Sunday, April 21. Are you going?
Each year, I take
tons of photos and post them on my Madison
Equestrian Examiner page on Facebook. Stop by and “like” the page, so you
can tag those you recognize after the 2013 Midwest Horse Fair is over.
In subsequent weeks and months, you may even find familiar
faces, both human and equine, on the page.
Image/s:
2013 Midwest Horse Fair
promotional logo – fair use
Actually, folks often mix up words, leading to very strange (and perhaps accidentally humorous) meanings. In the equestrian world, for example, several terms may be used interchangeably, even thought this is wholly inaccurate.
Try these ten oft-confused pairs (or sets) of words, just for horsing around.
bridal path vs. bridle path
If you trim your horse’s bridle path properly, you will have a well-groomed mount to ride down the bridal path to the altar. If you fail to trim his bridal path nearly, you may alter his appearance for the worse.
confirmation vs. conformation
Conformation dictates the proper presentation of a young horse in a halter class, where a horse show judge will assess his conformation, often long before the horse has experienced confirmation in his training.
for long vs. furlong
When the starting gate opens, even the slowest horse will not stand for long, covering each furlong before long.
gait vs. gate
In a trail class, the equestrian will plan a downward transition to the walk gait before attempting to open or close a gate.
gallop vs. Gallup
If equestrian enthusiasts were to commission a Gallup poll, would they find most riders prefer the walk, trot, canter or gallop?
Hey, barn manager! Did you order enough hay to feed the horses all winter?
nay vs. neigh
Horses may neigh, while pessimists natter and nay.
longe vs. lunge
A fencer will look for an opportunity to lunge, while an equestrian may simply need room to longe his horse.
pole vs. poll
According to a recent poll, a skilled rider will encourage his horse to flex at the poll before trotting over a ground pole.
reign vs. rein vs. rain
An equestrian does not reign supreme by holding on too tightly to each rein. The rider who does may need to be retrained, or he is likely to rain on his own parade, at least figuratively.
See? What a difference the correct word can make, even in the equestrian arena.
Who do you like for the 135th Kentucky Derby, to be held on Saturday, May 2nd at Churchill Downs, Kentucky? Wagering on the Kentucky Derby can be a puzzling proposition.
Try this 2009 Kentucky Derby word search puzzle (copyrighted and offered exclusively by The Mane Point), and see how you do. Can you complete the 2009 Kentucky Derby word search before post time on Saturday, May 2nd?
Horse racing season is upon us. Here's a quick guide to the various disciplines of horse racing, from thoroughbred racetracks to harness racer to steeplechase and more.
What is the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing? Here’s a simple and straightforward outline of the three jewels of the much coveted Triple Crown.
The Kentucky Derby is an annual party planner's dream come true. Annually, the Kentucky Derby rivals the Super Bowl as the most popular sports party day of the year. Here's how to throw a first-class Kentucky Derby party, while reining in the costs.
Are you hosting a Kentucky Derby party this year? Where can you find super party supplies online for your Kentucky Derby Day event? Celebrate the Run for the Roses with supplies from these six super online Kentucky Derby party goods merchants.
Last year, for the first time in Kentucky Derby history, spectators and participants had an opportunity to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles for charity. The Race to Recycle program includes major corporate sponsors and the city of Louisville.
Big Brown boldly blasted from gate #20 into the fray, and he never looked back. The three-year-old thoroughbred won big at the 134th Kentucky Derby horse race, held on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Derby finish on Saturday, May 3, 2008, was bittersweet for horse racing enthusiasts. Eight Belles, the only filly in this year's Kentucky Derby, finished a clear second and collapsed immediately after the horse race.
Eight Belles, the second-place finisher in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, collapsed during the gallop-out after the finish line and broke both front ankles. The filly was euthanized on the spot. This poem offers "Haikus and Views on Racetrack News."
Are all ex-racehorses hot-blooded speedsters? Can a track horse be trained for pleasure riding? Does a racing career destroy a horse for other uses? Here's why a thoroughbred may be just the horse for you!
". . . No choice controversial will trouble the herd. For who could erase a discouraging word? Injustice perceived is often believed. And justice enforced at the wire is absurd. . . ."
Who is my favorite athlete? Here's my great sport and MVP - Most Valuable Pony. Actually, he's not a pony at all. He's a 16-hand thoroughbred horse with a remarkable racing pedigree. His racing days are over . . . or are they?
Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts! Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.
Throughout 2009, please join us at The Heart of a Ready Writer, a Bible reading and devotional blog, as we read through the entire Bible in chronological order.
Sure, it sometimes snows at the fair, but Midwestern
equestrians tend to be a hardy bunch, no matter what the temperature may be. 
