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Horse fair organizers hope Web site helps make up for lost sales

Posted March 17, 2008 11:00 pm

Meagan Sexton

Horse enthusiasts and vendors disheartened by last month's cancellation of the Illinois Horse Fair will be able to use the Internet to stay in touch with other buyers and sellers, an event coordinator said Tuesday.

The horse fair, which annually draws an estimated 10,000 people and was celebrating its 20th year, was canceled because of electrical problems that have virtually shut down the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Dozens of events had to relocate or cancel because of time constraints or limited venue options. Repairs at the fairgrounds are expected to be completed in May.

"In no way do we think that a listing on our Web site will compensate them for their losses, but we're hoping that in some small way, it will bring buyers and sellers together in a way that will help establish closer ties within the horse community," Joy Meierhans, who manages the horse fair, said in a news release.

Meierhans said the show's organizers were unable to find a large enough space on short notice to move the event, which had been scheduled for Feb. 29-March 2.

"People look to the fair for their buying needs and think of it like a big horse shopping center," Meierhans said. "People come with lists and look to us for ideas. This was our 20th year. They have gotten used to it."

Frank Bowman, president of the Horsemen's Council of Illinois, said in a news release that the loss of income generated by the horse fair is devastating for his organization and vendors who participate in the event.

"Not only are we out the ticket sales and income generated by more than 10,000 horsemen who annually attend the three-day event, but also all of the front-end marketing and promotional expenses and contract commitments to clinicians which could not be canceled," Bowman said.

Sharon Murray, owner of Horseman's Outlet in Springfield, said she looks forward to the fair because it is her business's only big spring event. She ordered saddles to showcase during the fair and is unable to return the merchandise.

"I have saddles no one has even seen. It's inventory galore," Murray said. "It's easier to see what you're getting than to purchase it in a catalog. Everyone coming into the shop is devastated by it. A lot of people were saving money and waiting until the horse fair to buy saddles, show clothes and accessories."

Murray estimated she lost around $4,000 to $5,000.

"I know doesn't sound like much, but it devastated me," she said.

Meierhans said the horse fair is out more than $60,000 in pre-event expenses.

"We are right now trying to figure out what we can do to make up for this. We are looking for things to do in the fall," she said. "I feel bad for the vendors, because not only were they expecting to make sales, they also bought inventory in anticipation for that. So right now they are looking to pay for inventory they could not sell. We are refunding everyone. Some vendors are even saying keep it (refunds) for next year."

State Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, said he expects to receive a report from the Capital Development Board sometime this week outlining some of the major structural problems affecting the state fairgrounds.

Meagan Sexton can be reached at (217) 782-6882.

On the Web

Illinois Horse Fair vendors can be accessed through the Web site www.horsemenscouncil.org.

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