MADISON, Wis. (Friday, April 21, 2023) –Horse lovers from around the country gathered at the 2023 Midwest Horse Fair®, making Alliant Energy Center once again horse headquarters for the three-day weekend April 14–16. Beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday drew large crowds of equine enthusiasts.
Total attendance was once again around 60,000, with Saturday drawing the biggest crowd on the grounds. The 2023 fair hosted more than 800 horses and 500 vendor booths in a memorable weekend of world-class entertainment, educational sessions, breed demonstrations, the famed Stallion Avenue, a large exhibitor area and more.
Activity highlights included:
- two nights of thrilling PRCA rodeo and world-champion performers
- world-class clinicians Dan James and his “Heartland” Celebrity Horses, Olympian Steffen Peters and many more, providing hundreds of educational sessions all weekend long
- abundant shopping, with 500+ exhibitors
- the opportunity to learn about 30+ different breeds and disciplines of horses through demonstrations and up close in the pavilions
- USTPA Team Penning competition for a chance to compete in the USTPA Elite National Finals
- World Championship Blacksmiths competition
- Liberty Run, where spectators watched the elegance of the equine turned loose and cheered on different horses each day
“This year’s fair was action-packed with amazing clinicians, entertainers and competitions,” said fair Executive Director Teri Giannetti. “Spending all three days exploring was a must for fairgoers. As my first fair as the Executive Director, it was my privilege to help bring the equine world together as only the Midwest Horse Fair can.”
The Midwest Horse Fair® has an estimated $11 million economic impact on the Madison area each year, resulting from spending at local hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses.
The 43rd Midwest Horse Fair® will take place April 19–21, 2024, and the theme will be “Horse Play.” Visit MidwestHorseFair.com in the coming year to learn more. Like the fair’s Facebook page or follow the fair on Twitter (@MWHorseFair) for up-to-the-minute fair information.
About Us: The Midwest Horse Fair® is the largest three-day horse fair in the country. Since 1979, in its goal of serving as America’s epicenter for the equine community, the fair strives to provide the ultimate experience for equine enthusiasts and the public through exposition, education and entertainment. It caters to both Western and English riders. The fair has an estimated $11 million economic impact on the Madison area each year, resulting from spending at local hotels, restaurants, shops, and other businesses. The Midwest Horse Fair® is owned by the Wisconsin Horse Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes the equine industry in the state of Wisconsin. All event proceeds are returned to the Horse Council to be used for grants and scholarships, trail improvement, leadership programs, and communication to help future growth and development of the equine industry. For more information, visit MidwestHorseFair.com.
