The Nebraska Charity Horse Show returns to Hale Area at the American Royal complex in Kansas City, June 1-3, with a new name – KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show – for the 2023 horse show season.

“We are pleased to welcome our exhibitors to the KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show at Hale Arena in Kansas City for 2023 – the first show of the season in Kansas City,” said Lisa Hillmer, show chairperson. “For those who have attended the Nebraska Charity Horse Show in the past, this is the same fun show. The Nebraska Charity Horse moved to Hale Arena in Kansas City in 2019 and now has a new name to reflect the home of this horse show.”

The KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show features a full slate of classes for Saddlebreds, Morgans, Hackneys, Road Horses and Equitation riders. Clark Clouse, of Woodford, Ky., will be the show judge and Annalisa Hall, of Kansas City, Mo., will be the academy judge.

The KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show continues the tradition of benefiting a non-profit charity. For 2023, Rural Minds has been selected, as the beneficiary charity. Rural Minds is a national 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization established in 2021 to address the stigma, silence and suffering caused by mental illness and substance use disorder in rural America where over 60 million people live. The mission of Rural Minds is to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide information and resources for people living on farms and ranches, in small towns, in mining and fishing villages and Indigenous communities who are disproportionately impacted by mental illness and suicide. People living in rural areas have a 65% higher chance of dying by suicide than urban dwellers. Additional information can be found at www.ruralminds.org.

There will be plenty of hospitality and fun throughout the KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show:

• Each morning begins with coffee and donuts

• Thursday night

o   Mexican Fiesta Night, featuring a margarita machine

o   Live Auction

o   DJ Night – request your favorite song to play during the class of your choice

o   Walk and Trot Horsemanship Challenge

o   Each session – Trainer Money Drawing

• Friday night

o   Zarda BBQ Night – a Kansas City favorite, accompanied by a beverage selection including wine and beer

o   Return of the So You Think You Can Ride – mechanical bull riding contest – with the opportunity to nominate riders to win prize money and belt buckles in each challenge category; $100 per nomination

o   DJ Night – request your favorite song to play during the class of your choice

o   Walk, Trot, Canter Horsemanship Challenge

• Saturday night is the End-of-Show Pizza Party

Several sponsorship opportunities remain available with the KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show including hospitality and class sponsorships. Contact Lisa Hillmer at (816) 352-8825 (phone or text) for more sponsorship information.

The KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show prize list, entry form, full class schedule and other information can be found on the KC Summer Kick-off website, www.KCsummerkickoff.com. You may also follow the show on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date news and information.

Hale Arena – the home of the world-famous American Royal – is a fully enclosed and climate-controlled facility located in Kansas City with convenient access to the interstate, hotels, great restaurants and shopping.

The KC Summer Kick-Off Horse Show is a Monarch, Iowa and Missouri Associations affiliated show.