Iowa Horse Fair general information

The Iowa Horse Fair was started in 1983 as an ambitious project by a steering committee of the Iowa Horse Council. That steering committee set the following goals:

To educate the horse-owning public and horse-loving public through a myriad of events.
Establish an event to be held in April.
Use any profits to fund projects of the Iowa Horse Council that would benefit equines and their owners.

Since the first Iowa Horse Fair in 1984, this annual event has grown by leaps and bounds. However, the purpose remains the same – educate, entertain, and provide active support for the equine-owning, equine-loving people of Iowa – through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers.

While many horse fairs are produced by paid professionals, the Iowa Horse Fair is planned and conducted primarily by volunteers.

We would like to thank all of our speakers, demonstrators, clinicians, sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, advertisers, and volunteers who help to make the Iowa Horse Fair a success.

The Iowa Horse Fair Celebrates its 25^th Anniversary!!

The planning for the first Iowa Horse Fair was started in 1983 as an ambitious project by a steering committee of the Iowa Horse Council. That steering committee set the following goals:

To educate the horse-owning public and horse-loving public through a myriad of events.
Establish and event to be held in April.
Use any profits to fund projects of the Iowa Horse Council that would benefit equines and their owners.

The first Iowa Horse Fair was described as: “Iowa Horse Fair and 1984 National Youth Leaders Symposium.” Since that time, the Iowa Horse Fair has continued to have a significant youth involvement and has had continued youth involvement longer than any other horse fair.

Since the first Iowa Horse Fair in 1984, this annual event has grown by leaps and bounds. However, the purpose remains the same; educate, entertain, and provide active support for the equine owners and those who work with horses and other equines, through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers.

While many horse fairs are produced by paid professionals, the Iowa Horse Fair is planned and conducted primarily by volunteers.

The first core committee was made up of many of the Council members. These included: Julie Bailey, Sally Blount, Burton and Marilyn Butler, Carol and Kenny Crawford, Carolyn Hasbrook, Thatcher Johnson*, Jim and Bette Kiser, Sid Larson, Dan Reiste, and Sam Smith.

Those members who have worked on five or more Iowa Horse Fairs include: Barb Albert, Harold Ault, Peggy Auwerda, Les and Ginny Baskerville, Bobbie Coats, Barb Dixon, Gerald Edge, Dora Guffey, Karen Harris, Bobbi Hinds, Curtis and Jayne Holste, Jeff and Kathy Kuehl, Jayne Lautaenback, Mary Lockard, Helen McClain*, Penni Mercer*, Sandi Moon, Mary Moorman, Bill Paynter, John and Twila Vriezelaar, and Lowell and Jackie Wagoner.

The 2009 Iowa Horse Fair committee includes: Harold Ault, Jim and Marilyn Bender, Rebecca Cordray, Dennis Crowley, Linda Brittan, Dora Guffey, Bill Paynter, and Linda Spain.

Below are the past Iowa Horse Fair Chairs and Co-Chairs:

Horse Fair Chairs Co-Chairs

1984-1986 Julie Bailey Sally Blount

1987-1992** Sally Blount Carolyn Hasbrook

1993-`994 Carolyn Hasbrook Barb Albert & Bobbie Coats

1995-2000 Carolyn Hasbrook

2001 Michelle Blackler Harold Ault

2002 Carolyn Hasbrook Bill Paynter

2003 Karen Harris Ginny Baskerville

2004-2006 Karen Harris

2007-2009 Harold Ault

*deceased

** Iowa Horse Fair not held in 1990