MISSOURI HEY DAY SATURDAY

Missouri Hey Day, a horse show aimed at demonstrating the versatility of Tennessee walking horses, will be presented Saturday at Flickerwood Arena in Jackson.

The competition will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the arena, 3026 Larch Lane in Jackson. Flickerwood is an indoor arena, so the show will go rain or shine.

In addition, an open house will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the farm of Steve and Kathy Siebert, 20109 Highway 177 in Jackson. Tennessee walking horses will be available for petting and riding.

Both events are sponsored by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association.

The TWHBEA holds open houses in May across the country in an effort to promote the breed.

On Saturday, Tennessee walking horses will compete in 14 different events, including Western riding, barrel racing and pleasure driving.

The varied number of events makes this show different from ordinary shows where different breeds compete in different competitions. "In this breed one horse does all these things," says Becky Huck, publicist for the show.

Huck's family owns 22 Tennessee walking horses on their farm outside Jackson.

"It's an intelligent animal with a wonderful disposition," she said. "They're also beautiful and have a wonderful smooth ride."

Admission is $2 for adults, free for children.

To reach Flickerwood Arena, exit from Interstate 55 at Fruitland, turn toward Jackson on Highway 61 and then turn north onto the outer road, called Larch Lane.

The lane will go back over the interstate and lead directly to the indoor arena two miles away.

To reach the open house at the Siebert farm,

243-7741 sieberts