400 HORSES PRANCE ABOUT ARENA PARK IN SEMO DISTRICT FAIR HORSE SHOW

A horse is a horse, of course, of course ...

Maybe not. To judges at the Eighth Annual SEMO District Fair Horse Show, some of the four-legged creatures were better than others.

About 400 horses in 19 classes pranced through part of Arena Park on Sunday. While none were like the famed television horse Mr. Ed, the top 10 in each class went home with ribbons.

It takes a lot of work to make the event run smoothly, said Brenda Reker, a veteran of the horse show committee. There always are a few kinks -- this year featured a misunderstanding about how some of the horses could be shoed -- but the crowd has fun.

"We wanted to put on a variety horse show with something for everyone," Reker said. "That's why it has gotten so big."

Horse enthusiasts from Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and from all over Missouri came to compete in or watch Sunday's event. The grandstands were nearly full for several hours.

Part of the attraction is that the show is free and conducted on a day when entrance to the fairgrounds is free. Area sponsors pick up the tab for ribbons, trophies and a slew of other expenses.

"We couldn't do it without our sponsors," Reker said. "We get a lot of support from area businesses and from people who just love horses."

Proving the fair's "fun for the whole family" slogan, Charlie Beard of Oak Ridge brought his wife, daughter and in-laws to the horse show. The group was part of an estimated 18,500 people on the fairgrounds Sunday afternoon.

Beard said everyone in the family enjoys seeing horses, and they will be back for Thursday's mule judging.

The event was fun for the competitors, too. Joy Rogers of Boaz, Ky., took home a first-place ribbon and trophy in the Western open halter class. Her horse, Patches And Lace, took a fourth-place ribbon Saturday at a horse show in Bowling Green, Ky.

Rogers won a first-place ribbon in the Cape Girardeau event two years ago and didn't come home with her horse. He was sold on the spot.

"You don't want a loser," Rogers said. "If a horse is winning, it will be sold."

Patches And Lace was put up for sale after her win Sunday. The asking price was a whopping $5,000.

Even horse owners who didn't win liked the exposure of the horse show. Susan Koerber of Jackson competed against Rogers with her horse, Cheyenne Ratler. Koerber said just putting the paint horse in the show is good advertising for the stud service he will be providing upon maturity.

Patti Kamp's three children were in the Sunday's show. Kamp and her 5-year-old daughter, Emelia, dressed in Native American clothing for the lead-line event. Their horse, Dorothy Jane, took eighth place.

All the other contestants wore Western clothing or frilly dresses.

"This was just something different," Kamp said. "I thought it would catch the judge's eye. And we like Indians."

Today's fair-related events will include the judging of 4-H entries, a parade from Capaha Park to the fairgrounds, a demolition derby and the George Coronas Big Top Circus.