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Top national clinicians join equine educators and 140 vendors offering all
things for the equestrian – from recreational horsemen to professionals – at
the 23rd annual Illinois
Horse Fair.
Produced by Horsemen's Council of Illinois (HCI), the all-breed expo annually attracts more than 10,000 horsemen.
In addition to learning training techniques from experts, Horse Fair gives attendees access to unique HorsesForSale aisles, breed and sport demonstrations, Stallion Row and Parade and the All-Youth Horse Judging Trials.
 Guy
McLean believes that the best tools in horsemanship are ‘Knowledge,
Compassion, Patience and Imagination” and in using these, many a fine
partnership has been formed. Since 1999, Guy and his equine team (led by Nugget
for 12 years) performed all over Australia at every major equine event and
agricultural show. Guy was named an official ‘Ambassador of the Outback’ and
through his performances of horsemanship, bush poetry and whip cracking, he
has helped to keep the traditions of the bush and the true Aussie stockman,
alive. He has won ‘Equitana’s’, ‘Way of the Horse’ young
horse starting competition and has been acclaimed by his fans and Australian
dignitaries alike as a national treasure and living legend. Now based in Texas,
Guy and his “team” are on tour of the United States.
 Charles Wilhelm from
Castro Valley, CA, returns to the 2012 Horse Fair after well-received appearances
both at the 2011 Horse Fair and Equestrian Lifestyle Expo He is known internationally
as America’s most respected
horse trainer and the creator of Ultimate Foundation Training – equine
training techniques that combine the best of traditional, classical and
natural horsemanship into a methodology that is applicable to every riding
discipline. His unique approach enables horse owners to train their own
horses in a safe and fun manner.
Wilhelm’s extensive background over 35 years of training includes Dressage,
Working Cow Horse, Reining, Western Pleasure and Trail. He is one of the few
clinicians of our time who is known for his superb skills in communicating
and motivating people as well as his astounding natural abilities with the
horse.
 Tracy
Porter and her Paso Fino stallion
Caz have been featured clinicians at many horse fairs across the United States
and Canada and have competed and won in various disciplines from Craig Cameron’s
Extreme Cowboy Races to distance rides. Involved in many equine disciplines,
she’s shown that the only limits we have are those that we’ve
placed on ourselves.
Tracy brings fun, common sense and a sense of humor to foundation training.
A good teacher knows the student needs to understand “why” as
much as “how” in order to truly comprehend. Lessons also have
to be simple but still be progressive. By keeping the “H” in Horse:
heart, humbleness and hope, she’ll show you that the joy of horse ownership
is the journey, not the blue ribbon. Tracy stresses common sense training
and principles that apply to all horses and riders 100% of the time.
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| Friday Specials |
| Horse Fair opens on Friday when early bird shoppers get access to vendors' full
stock of merchandise plus save money on special Friday-only promotions and reduced
admission charge and see training demo sessions by Guy McLean, Charles Wilhem,
Tracy Porter, David Davis and Tim Austin. |
| More than 10,000 People
Share Your Passion for Horses |
| At Horse Fair, more than 10,000 people share your passion for horses, and everyone understands the lure of the barn, the call of the trail, and the excitement of equestrian competition. From Quarter Horses to Morgans, Paso Finos to Andalusians, you'll see more breeds and disciplines at Illinois Horse Fair than anywhere in the state. Horse Fair is a chance to learn about barrel racing, therapeutic riding, 4-H and Pony Club. Its lecture series provides educational speakers
and topics covering health, behavior, breeding and training. |
 Diverse attractions aim to please any age group, including the lively booth run by Illinois High School Rodeo Assn., the HorsePlay Youth Activity barn, where young Fairgoers can romp at an indoor equestrian-themed play area just
for them.
| All-Youth Horse Judging Trials |
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Returning to Horse Fair is the All-Youth Horse Judging Trials presented by Horsemen's Council of Illinois in cooperation with the University of Illinois. Open to all youth (non-collegiate) horse judging teams, the Trials will be held Saturday morning.
Info on All-Youth Horse Judging Trials
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| To Exhibit at Horse Fair |
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For information about commercial space, breed demos, stallions and HorsesForSale, contact the coordinator listed in the Exhibit Information section of this website.
Exhibitor Information
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| Volunteering at Horse Fair |
| Volunteering at Horse Fair is fun, educational and a great opportunity to help put on the largest non-racing horse event in Illinois. Volunteers are needed for a variety of responsibilities, ranging from ticket sales to hospitality. You can volunteer for a few hours a day or for a whole weekend. To volunteer, email Cheryl DeMent at paintfilly71@yahoo.com. |
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| NEW HorseCapades Evening Show |
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 New
at the 2012 Illinois Horse Fair will be the HorseCapades. Be amazed at the extraordinary
communication and response Guy McLean has with his horses. You've got to see it to
believe! Also cowboy dressage, thrilling tricks, snappy drill teams, liberty acts and more
in this equestrian variety show. Advance tickets recommended.
TALENT CALL...seeking horses with entertaining talents. Owners should prepare 3-4 minute
audition videos and contact HorseCapades coordinator Karen Freese at 217.412.1064 or dkfreese@hotmail.com.
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| Three Riding Clinics |
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 Clinic
riders will learn from leading trainers in two-hour arena sessions Saturday and Sunday. Fees range from
$150 - $200. The public may audit the sessions with a general admission ticket to
Horse Fair.
• Western Dressage by advocate Lynne Levy and practitioner David Davis
More info/application
• Barrel Racing Clinic by Storme Camarillo, mom Sharon’s protégé
More info/application
• All-Breed Gaited Riding Clinic by multi-disciplined Lynne Levy
More info/application
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Fabulous Shopping, Friendly
Clinicians
and Exhibitors |
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The shopping is outstanding at Illinois Horse Fair…Best in the state. It's virtually an equestrian shopping center, with more than 140 different commercial vendors featuring saddlery, clothing, boots and hats, jewelry, art, equestrian services, barns and fencing, even colleges with equine programs.
Many different brands of horse trailers will be on display by dealers ready to make sales. Nowhere else in Illinois will you find as many trailers, horse merchandise and supplies than at Illinois Horse Fair.
The program and layout at Horse Fair are friendly and convenient. You're encouraged to ask questions and interact with the clinicians and speakers, welcomed back in the barns to talk to the owners and trainers who present 25 breed and discipline demonstrations by all the popular breeds as well as breeds not seen
as widely.
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Visitors Welcomed on Stallion Row
and HorsesForSale Aisles |
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Mare owners can check out the breeding stallions on Stallion Row and in the daily Parade of Stallions, while almost everyone wants to see what's stabled on the HorsesForSale aisles. Horse Fair takes no commission but rather provides a common ground where buyer and seller can meet and talk directly.
The atmosphere in the HorsesForSale aisles is low-key and congenial, presenting horses of many breeds, ages and capabilities. Potential buyers can evaluate many horses right on the grounds, eliminating costly and time-consuming travel. There were more than 75 horses registered last year.
Info on HorsesForSale
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Buy Tickets in Advance to
Avoid
Long Lines |
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Purchasing advance tickets is recommended
to avoid long lines at the Horse Fair
ticket windows.
General admission tickets give access to all exhibits, clinics and presentations. Adult tickets are $6 for Friday and $12 for Saturday or Sunday; child/senior tickets are $4 and $6. Weekend passes are $20 adult and $10 child/senior.
HorseCapades evening shows require separate tickets for Friday and Saturday: General Admission
$9 adult, $6 child/senior; Reserved Seating $15 adult, $10 child/senior.
Advance tickets may be charged to a
credit card.
Because last year's evening entertainment sold out, buying show tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Order Tickets
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In addition to expert trainers and clinicians, the three-day all-breed expo and industry tradeshow presents 25 breed and sport demonstrations, Stallion Row and Parade, more than 75 horses in
the HorsesForSale aisles, 140 equestrian vendors, many different
brands of horse trailers on display for sale and a full schedule of educational seminars and workshops.
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