09/27/2026
❤️ THANK YOU!! ❤️
Putting on a horse show or event is not a quick process. It takes volunteers before, during and after. It takes sponsors willing to support the event. And most importantly, it takes exhibitors willing to load their horses, make the trip and participate.
We recognize that, and we are incredibly grateful. This show simply is not possible without all of you.
To our pre-show volunteers — Amy Stangl, Meg Biggs, Shawn Stangl, Colleen Wilson, Bob Wilson and Melody Nagel — thank you.
Before the first horse ever entered the ring, there was a lot happening behind the scenes: finding sponsors, organizing stalls, ordering supplies, ribbons and goodie bag items, putting money on ribbons, stuffing goodie bags, setting up the show office, gathering supplies for the exhibitor meal, printing schedules, entry forms and patterns…and a hundred other little things that have to happen before show day.
Thank you for doing the work that most people never see.
To Marsha Lawson, Chris Patterson, Roxie Green, Andrea Bova, Shawn Stangl, Meg Biggs, Tracy Phegley and Melody Nagel — thank you for keeping everything moving on show day.
Opening gates, handing out ribbons, working the entry office, announcing, scoring, setting up the exhibitor meal and filling in wherever something needed to be done—you made it possible for our exhibitors to simply enjoy showing their horses.
And Roxie, Andrea and Shawn deserve a little extra love. They worked from our Leadline class all the way through our final championship class. They received zero pay—in fact, it cost them money to be there. They showed up and worked because they cared about making the show successful. We appreciate you more than you know.
Then the show ends and you think the work is over…but it isn’t quite! Andrea, Shawn and Amy were back at it afterward, cleaning up and packing everything away. Thank you for seeing it through to the very end.
To our exhibitors — give yourselves a pat on the back, too.
If you don’t come, rent stalls and enter classes, there is no reason to host a horse show. You showcased your horses beautifully. There were so many classes where you could have made a case for any horse in the ring walking away with the blue ribbon.
But what I loved most wasn’t about the ribbons.
It was the smiles. The encouragement. The willingness to help each other.
Forgot something? Someone has it.
Need a hand with your horse? Someone steps in.
Having a rough day? Someone is there to lift you up.
One moment yesterday actually brought tears to my eyes. A rider who people knew had struggled throughout the year finally had that moment when it all came together—and the crowd cheered. Not because it was their horse or their rider, but because everyone understood what it meant to see someone persevere.
The ribbon didn’t matter. In that moment, they won.
Then there was a youth rider showing for the very first time. Watching other exhibitors encourage that rider in the warm-up arena and genuinely share in the excitement was something I wish every person who is thinking about showing horses could see.
That is what we wanted this show to be.
And our crowd this year was amazing. You watched. You cheered. You supported people. You helped make the atmosphere what it was.
To our judges — Amber Reynolds, Jody Vahle, Gene Gengelbach and Jennifer Roberts — thank you.
Judging is a lot of responsibility and pressure, and probably a pretty thankless job some days. You certainly don’t get paid enough for the responsibility you take on. We appreciate your time, professionalism and willingness to step into the center of that ring and make the decisions that have to be made.
And finally, our sponsors.
Horse shows aren’t cheap. Ribbons, facilities, prizes, payback, high-point awards, T-shirts, lunch and all of the other pieces add up quickly. When we are also working hard to keep entry fees and stall fees affordable for exhibitors, sponsor support becomes even more important.
I hope every exhibitor will take the time to thank the businesses and individuals who supported this show.
A very special thank you goes to Missouri Farm Bureau, which has been with us every step of the way. This show would not have gotten started—or continued—without their support. If you are a member or happen to see a Farm Bureau representative, please let them know that their support of the Region 4 Fall Festival matters and is genuinely appreciated.
We have many more sponsors to recognize, and those thank-yous are coming!
If you traveled home yesterday, we hope you made it safely. If you are still traveling today, please be careful.
Most of all, thank you for believing in what this show can be: competitive, welcoming, fun and a place where people genuinely want to see one another succeed.
We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did.
We’ll see you next September. ❤️🐴
