Saddlebred and Morgan trainer Kathy Boggs will host the 2nd annual Saddle Seat Equitation Clinic for riders of Arabians, Morgans, National Show Horses and Saddlebreds on Saturday and Sunday at the 15th annual Illinois Horse Fair, March 7-9. Presented by Purina Mills, KieferBuilt/Midway Trailer Sales and Farm Credit Services, Illinois Horse Fair is held at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.
Kathy Boggs began her showring career as a 10-year-old riding Arabians, and now, 40 years later, is a highly respected professional trainer in the Saddlebred and Morgan breeds. Along the way, she has been a world and national champion rider herself, finishing five Legion of Merit Arabian Champions before moving to Saddlebreds in her twenties and adding Morgans three years ago.
Together with her husband, Gene, and daughter, Erin, at their Cape Cod Farm in Spring Valley, OH, the Boggs' have produced 40-plus National and World titled horses and riders.
Mrs. Boggs is one of the chosen few to be named the Helen Crabtree Instructor of the Year by the United Professional Horsemen's Assn. In '01, she and Erin were together named Instructors of the Year by Morgan Horse magazine.
In Saddlebred competitions, Mrs. Boggs has coached riders to World Championships at the Kentucky State Fair every year since 1989, with multiple winners in many years. She also is widely regarded for her work with young people in the Just Say Whoa program that steers kids in the horse industry to a healthy life-style.
Three years ago, Mrs. Boggs began also coaching Morgan riders and in '01 had the first boy rider ever to win the Morgan triple crown of Saddle Seat Equitation. Last year, her riders won the Junior World Championship at the Morgan Grand National and the UPHA Junior Morgan Championship as well as blues at the Morgan Gold Cup, Dixie Cup and other competitions.
Mrs. Boggs serves on the USA Equestrian and UPHA equitation committees. She is a large "R" judge in Saddle Seat Equitation and Saddlebreds, and has judged national finals both here and in South Africa. She has been instrumental in the promotion of international saddle seat riding as well as chairing and coaching the United State Five-Gaited World Cup teams.
Although the Saddle Seat Clinic is on Saturday and Sunday, Illinois Horse Fair opens on Friday, March 7, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., when early bird shoppers will have access to 130 vendors' full stock of merchandise plus save money on special Friday-only promotions and admission charge. Friday also will have three short seminars by Horse Fair headliner John Lyons. The popular breed and sport demonstrations, stallion parade and sale horses are on Saturday and Sunday only as at previous Horse Fairs.
The Saddle Seat Equitation Clinic will be two hours each morning on Saturday and Sunday in the heated Livestock Center arena. Fee for the clinic is $150; up to 10 riders will be selected. To apply for the clinic, contact Janet Williamson at (309) 963-4371 or email [email protected]. A clinic rider application is available at www.illinoishorse.com.
Other discipline-specific clinics at Horse Fair are by world class dressage trainer Betsy Steiner of Wellington, FL and by reining professional Mike Flarida of Lima, OH. Horse Fair pass holders may observe all clinic sessions without any additional charge.
To Order Advance Tickets to Horse Fair
Purchasing advance tickets is recommended to avoid long lines at the Horse Fair ticket windows. Adult general admission tickets are $5 for Friday and $10 for Saturday or Sunday; child/senior tickets are $3 and $5. Weekend passes are $18 for adult and $8 for child/senior. Tickets may be charged to Visa, MasterCard or Discover. To purchase advance tickets, call Carrie Schreyer at (217) 498-8000, or email [email protected]. Visit Illinois Horse Fair on the web at www.IllinoisHorse.com to download a ticket order form and complete schedule of events.
To Exhibit at Illinois Horse Fair
For information on commercial space, contact Joy Meierhans, Horse Fair Manager, at (630) 557-2575, or email [email protected]. For Breed/Sport Demo Package, contact Karen Freese at (217) 763-6023, or email [email protected]; for Stallion Row/Parade, contact Tracy Walters at (217) 726-6406, or email [email protected]; for HorsesForSale Aisles, contact Myles Harson at (309) 208-5230 or email [email protected].
Illinois Horse Fair is produced by Horsemen's Council of Illinois, a non-profit lobby and advocacy group dedicated to the needs and concerns of the state's billion-dollar horse industry.