The 2009 Dayton Horse Show is geared up with full steam ahead for their rendition of this year’s show. Held in the urban setting of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Dayton, Ohio, July 29-August 1. The 2008 show was honored with the UPHA Chapter 13 Honor Show of the Year, and plans for this year’s event will be even better. This year’s theme is "Family Friendly," again working on bringing back the public to watch and to learn about these beautiful American Saddlebreds, Harness/Hackney, Roadster Ponies and Horses as well as Morgans and new this year will be added Friesian classes by popular request.

One of the many goals of the 2008 show was to bring back the public to see our horses and ponies, instead of showing simply to ourselves. With success from last year’s show with an increase in both spectators and horses, this year’s show will place even more emphasis on bringing in the public.

Assigned the judging duties at this years show will be Bo Lucas, Gibsonville, North Carolina, son of the well known and talented trainer, Johnny Lucas.

Special events on schedule this year are the $1500 Trainers Incentive, with $500 going to the winning trainer of the Fine Harness, Three-Gaited and Five-Gaited Grand Championships. Also in place is the $500 Buckeye Bonus Bucks. Five random classes will be selected prior to the show, and the winners of these classes will be awarded $100. Riders will not know which classes have been selected until the winner arrives in the winner’s circle.

Again this year, the popular Dayton Horse Show Hall of Fame induction will take place. This year, four honorees have been selected, names will not be released until the night of the induction ceremony. Last year’s event was both joyful and emotional; this year’s induction plans to be the same.

Also this year will be the UPHA Classics for Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness and Park Pleasure. The list also includes the popular UPHA Pink Ribbon Ladies Five Gaited. This year once again the show will do a 50/50 split with the UPHA and the Southview/Grandview/Kettering Medial Network. The volunteers were out in full force at the 2008 show and will be on hand again this year. The show was honored to be able to participate in the Ride for the Cure!

The special stake night Academy Presentation is chaired again this year by board member, Carrie Kuhbander Grooms. Plans are in the works for this popular event with more details to follow as they are received. The Tacky Horse, owned by Carrie and her husband Glenn Grooms will once again sponsor this fun filled event.

Along with a silent auction, a truly fabulous stake night extravaganza, to be announced shortly, parties, parties and more fun-filled parties will round out the four day event.

More information can be obtained by contacting Show Manager Evette Moody at 937-623-7934 or email blueribbon@sbcglobal.net.