Missouri State Fair Equine Competitions Start Thursday

The Missouri State Fair competition schedule is officially underway this Thursday, July 26, beginning with the 4-H and FFA Horse Show, followed by the prestigious Society Horse Show, Tuesday, July 31. These events are open to the public at no charge.

Show classes for 4-H and FFA youth will be held July 26-29, with events taking place in the Mathewson Exhibition Center, Donnelly Arena and Coliseum. Orscheln Farm and Home is the sponsor of the t-shirts worn by the youth during these shows and during the 11-day Fair.

Society Horse Show events will be held July 31 and Aug. 1-4. All events will be held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center.

Equine competitions continue throughout the 11-day Fair. The Miniature Mule Show will take place in the MFA Arena at 6 p.m., Aug. 10. Later that evening, the Draft Mule Show will start at 7 p.m. in the Coliseum.

The following day, Aug. 11, will be a full day of mule shows, starting with the Open Mule Classes at 8 a.m. and ending with the Jumping Mules and Mule Game Classes at 6:30 p.m. All mule shows on Aug. 11 will be held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center.

Donkeys show at the Fair for one day, Aug. 12, beginning with Jacks and Jennets at 8 am in the MFA Arena. The Miniature Donkey Show will begin immediately following.

The Mathewson Exhibition Center will host the Draft Horse Shows starting Aug. 15, with the Draft Horse Sled pull at 5 p.m. on Aug 15; the Gypsy Horse Show at 9 a.m. Aug. 16 - 17; Belgian, Percheron and Clydesdale Shows at 8 a.m. on Aug. 18; and the Pony Pull at 1 p.m. on Aug. 18.

The always-popular Draft Horse Hitches, title sponsored by Toyota, will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 - 18.

Draft Hitches will close the Fair at 1 p.m. on Aug. 19 and will include the 8-horse hitch class.

Complete schedules for all shows are available in the online premium guide.