By Jean S. Baum

OSHKOSH, Wisc. - The Wisconsin Fox Valley Show is held each year in Oshkosh around the same time as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Convention, or as it’s now called EAA Airventure. This event reminds many horse show exhibitors of the Celebration, as the town of Oshkosh, with a population of only 10,000, hosts 200,000 to 300,000 visitors each year. A large percentage of those visitors fly in from other countries. The tiny little Whitman Airfield is the busiest airport in the world for that 10-day period! Many local people rent out their homes. Does any of this sound familiar? Those going to the horse show are never inconvenienced by these numbers, however, as the EAA event is so well organized.

This show has a beautiful facility and is always well-run by show chairman Carol Olp, assisted by Peggy and Bill Butler and many others. Holding down the center ring and judging the 186 entries was Mike Culbreth of Mooresville, N.C. The apprentice judge was Lori McMahon.

Tornado Appeal, owned by Ruth Ann Spinelli, won an amazing seven blues at the show this year! Spinelli won five of those blues herself. Her husband Chuck won the other two. Tornado Appeal is a true walking horse!

Captivating three walking to the winner’s circle were Hack’s Society Man and Jim Couris and High Class Gift and owner/rider Katie Butler. Striding down victory lane twice was Sundrop’s Country Razen, Premier’s Hibiscus Frost, Beam’s Glorious Creation, Silver Gold Dust and Generator’s Coal Dust. The largest class hosted 17 entries; many classes had ten or more entries making this year’ show a very successful one.

This concludes the highlights from the Wisconsin Fox Valley Horse Show. Complete results follow and may also be found on our web site at www.walkinghorsereport.com.