ILLINOIS HORSE FAIR CROWNS ROYALTY

It is an important role to represent Illinois Horse Fair and Horsemen's Council of Illinois. The IHF Queen Pageant is a highlight event of the annual fair.

During the three days of competition,  8 candidates displayed their skills in a 4:00 minute horsemanship performance, 1:00 minute public speech given to an audience on the Fair's main stage, and interviewed with judges for 4:00 minutes. These young ladies must prove that they can represent the Illinois Horse Industry with style! We welcomed an array of horse breeds and disciplines from Missouri Fox Trotters, to OTTB's and hunter/jumpers to barrel racers. Candidates were welcomed to the  rodeo performances  in a beautiful carriage and sold 50/50 tickets to raise funds for the pageant!

Miss- Alexandrea Hemberger of Auburn Illinois. Rode her Pinto Gelding, Bernie, and scored 276/300. She will attend University of Kentucky in the fall as a freshman. 

Jr. Miss- Natalie Schimp of Eldorado, IL. Rode her AQHA Mare, My Rod's Knockin' or "Knockers". She scored 271/300 points. She attends Eldorado High School. 

Miss Horsemanship: Rebecca Henry

Jr. Miss Horsemanship: Gracie McCullers

Essay: Gracie McCullers

Miss Congeniality: Danielle Sill

Our thanks to Anne Marie Connelly and her team of volunteers for managing all aspects of this program: Virginia Smith, Kaylynn Hall, Jessica Hall, Tracy Hall, Michelle Smith, Olivia Reed, Diane Connelly, Kiersten Pratt, Becca Schweiter.

Learn more about Miss IHF 2016 Alexandra Homberger - click here

Learn more about Jr. Miss IHF
2016 Natalie Schimp - click here.