FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass.   -- May 23, 2011      

 

More Info:  Catherine Pappas

Communications Manager

(413) 205-5041

Info Line (413) 205-5115

 

EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION TO HOST

WORLD PERCHERON CONGRESS IN 2014

 

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) has been selected as the site of the 2014 World Percheron Congress, the world’s largest gathering of Percheron horses. This spectacular event showcasing one of the world’s oldest breeds of draft horses will take place Oct. 6-11, 2014.

 

The announcement was made by ESE President Wayne McCary during the annual meeting of Exposition trustees Thursday, May 19.

 

More than 850 horses from throughout North America and beyond are expected to participate presenting the breed’s versatility, power, athleticism and intelligence on a grand scale.

 

McCary, said, “The Exposition is pleased to have this great opportunity to showcase the magnificent Percheron breed. Our new covered Equine Arena, perfectly suited for a show of this magnitude, was instrumental in the Congress deciding to move its event to the Northeast.”

 

The 170’ x 66’ arena includes a canopy connector from the Exposition’s C-Barn to its Coliseum, making it possible for competitors to warm up their horses and enter the Coliseum completely under cover.

 

All available horse barns on the Exposition grounds will be utilized with five full days of competitions, from horse pulls and plowing matches to enormous conformation, hitch and riding classes taking place in the Coliseum.

 

With the event taking place nine days after the ESE Draft Horse Show on the final days of The Big E, Exposition officials anticipate that participants will stay in the area and enjoy local attractions and amenities in anticipation of the October event. Seven Percheron hitches have won the $30,000 Big E Draft Horse Showdown in the last 12 years.

 

The World Percheron Congress event in West Springfield marks the first time the show will take place in the Northeast. The first Congress was held in Angleterre, England, in 1978. Since then, 14 subsequent Congresses have taken place around the world in France, Canada and the United States. The most recent events were held in Toronto in 2008, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines in 2010, and France will host the 2011 show in Normandy in September.

 

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