The award winning Midwest Charity Horse Show and its distinguished panel of judges will once again be awarding a $500 cash prize to the owner of the "Best in Show" for its 68th edition on Saturday evening of the show. Last year’s Best in Show winner was Lady Vol, the beautiful Amateur Fine Harness entry trained by Mike Roberts and owned and driven by Chris Kaplan. Midwest Charity will also be awarding the Third Annual Pat Antonacci Memorial Tack Room Award. Repeating their 2007 wins the 2008 Tack Room award winners include: Grey Ridge Farm, Brett and Susie Day in the "Neat & Tidy" Tack Room Award and Knollwood Farm, Scott and Carol Matton in the "Formal Tack" Room Award.

Midwest’s world-class officials include Janet Barber, Ocala, Fla.; Marilyn Macfarlane, Simpsonville, Ky.; Mike Richardson, Frenchtown, NJ.; and Gene van der Walt, Oregon City, Ore. Official Photographer is Doug Shiflet; and Official Videographer is Seehorse Video of Arcadia, Ind.

The Midwest Charity Horse Show held June 16-20, 2009, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, a premier Saddlebred, Roadster, Morgan and Arabian horse and Hackney/Harness pony show features over 600 horses with exhibitors attending from 25 states. Midwest Charity is the largest annual show regularly held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and has been recognized as the "National Honor Show" of the year by the United Horsemen’s Association five times. Show times are daily at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Midwest Charity will delight and entertain exhibitors with their legendary nightly parties, Tuesday-Friday nights, after the last class in the famous "Party Barn" decorated with Persian rugs, chandeliers, colorful tablecloths and flowers. Tuesday’s party will feature Susan Kerr’s famous homemade chicken salad and Honey Baked Ham. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s parties will be catered by Springfield’s own Poe’s Catering who will be serving pulled pork and grilled chicken. The parties culminate with Friday’s Italian party where mostaccoli will be served with Strano’s homemade tomato sauce for over 800 people.

Midwest is also delighted to announce entertainment will be provided during every party. Premiering Tuesday will be the nationally known Bluegrass band, The Gordons and Tom Irwin. Wednesday will feature Danny Russell and The Hillbilly Circus. Sally Weisenburg & The Famous Sidemen will grace the stage at Thursday’s party. Wrapping up the parties on Friday will be a DJ and Karaoke.

For more information about the Midwest Charity Horse Show call Show Manager/President, Judy Kjellander at 217-793-0670. Press credentials will be available for pickup in the horse show office Tuesday for the media covering the show. Those who are online can log-on to www.midwestcharity.com to check for updates regarding the 2009 show.