World Grand Champion Missouri Fox Trotter Open 5+ Ava 2024

Every year in September, on the Sunday before Labor Day, the great show of the Missouri Foxtrotters takes place in Ava, Missouri. This event is known as the MFTHBA Celebration World Championship of Missouri Foxtrotters. Until 2009, the showgrounds were fully occupied by participants and visitors from several US states. Horses from California, Texas, Utah, Idaho, Louisiana, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, and occasionally other states could be seen. Particularly well-represented were participants and visitors from Arkansas.
The stables on the grounds were completely full, as were the seats at the showgrounds. However, a major shift began in 2009 and 2010. Due to poor performances by some professional riders and unfair judging that seemed to be based more on family ties or other personal connections rather than the actual performances, many participants from other states began to withdraw.
In addition to the poor equitation, the Foxtrot, the gait that gives Missouri Foxtrotters their name, was no longer judged properly. Breeders, especially those who sold the majority of their horses as trail horses, gradually distanced themselves from the event. They also avoided recommending the trip to Ava to their customers or friends, wanting to avoid losing their trust and potentially damaging those relationships.
In recent years, however, the quality of performances has improved. Horses and riders have shown better displays, and judges have been evaluating the Foxtrot according to the established rules.
Unfortunately, this year, two Open classes were marred by obvious and extreme misjudgments. In the King’s Class for five-year-olds, however, we saw excellent horses, proper equitation, and seemingly correct judging.
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