Bret Day, Maria Gilman and Lisa Waller will judge the 13th annual Mid-America Mane Event Show, October 22-25 (Thursday-Sunday) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Weather hasn’t been “average” for recent Mane Event shows. Last year it was unusually warm and the year before unusually cool. According to Weather.com, days of this year’s Mane Event should be 65º-63º -- ideal fall weather, perfect for showing horses.

Mane Event offers an expansive class list with excellent options for amateurs showing performance and pleasure horses, and boasts ideal facilities for showing young horses. Returning for the seventh year is The Good Hands Finals, the first “leg” of the saddle seat equitation triple crown. National Horseman is official sponsor of The Good Hands Finals.

The Illinois State Fairgrounds facilities are totally “horse-friendly” and widely recognized as the country’s best show horse facilities. Mane Event stabling is in enclosed barns convenient to the Coliseum plus there are three warm-up rings – two indoors and a huge covered arena that includes a 50-ft. round pen – all adjacent to the in-gate and available 24/7. Professionals as well as amateurs like showing in the Coliseum’s ideally-sized and banked oval arena with its excellent footing.

Mane Event organizers recognize that sociability is a big part of the fun for all exhibitors. The popular Saturday night exhibitors party is considered by many to be the best on the show circuit, with multiple catered gourmet food stations (including the famous Lobster Bisque) and no long waiting lines. Last year’s new evening Celebration honoring all the Good Hands Finals riders is again on the schedule for all exhibitors.

The Mid-America Mane Event entry booklet will be ready in August.  To request a printed copy, call Show Manager Joy Meierhans at 630/557-2575; or email JM@TheMeierhans.com. Last year’s Mane Event class list can still be viewed at www.MidAmericaHorseShow.org, where this year’s entry booklet will be available to download and print. Mane Event is produced by Mid-America Horse Show Association, one of the largest ASHA charter clubs.