New and Important Information for 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATON FOR EXHIBITORS

PLEASE TAKE A COUPLE MINUTES TO READ!

1. ANNOUNCER INFORMATION: If you have not completed the Announcer Information sheet you can do that when you pick up your EXHIBITOR PACKET. This information will be used by the announcer to give the audience some specifics about you, your animals, and your equipment. Please complete the forms and return to the show office ASAP.
2. BARN HOURS: Barns will be closed to the public at 9:00PM
3. COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Expo Committee will meet each morning prior to the show to discuss the day’s schedule and how the show went the day before. If there is something you would like to have discussed, please see one of the committee members. Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please share them with a committee member. The Committee members are the ones that will address your concerns.
4. COURTESY: Please help keep fairgrounds areas clean and safe. Keep the barns clean and when finished in the wash rack, make sure it is clean and ready to use for the next person.
5. DOGS: All dogs must be on leashes while on the Fairgrounds.
6. GROWING PAINS -The Big Sky Draft Horse Expo is growing and suffering a few growing pains. The Committee is making every effort to accommodate all entries. The stalling is limited as is show time. Every effort is made to keep the show on time and the exhibitors and their animals comfortable at the Fairgrounds. Please stay informed as to class times and be ready at the gate for your class. If a gate hold is necessary, please advise a committee member so that information may be shared with the Announcer and Show Clerk. The Committee asks for your patience. Everyone is at the show to have fun but know there may be some timing issues and little “glitches”.
7. HIGH POINT AWARDS – There will be no HIGH POINT AWARDS this year. There was a misprint in the rule book.
8. HORSE SHOW OFFICE -Again, this year there will be a Horse Show Office. It will be in the little white building near the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. This is where exhibitors will pick up their Exhibitor Packets, make any changes to their entry forms (Scratching classes or changing drivers, etc.). There will be NO adds to classes after the Entry Deadline. The Show Office will be manned beginning on Thursday afternoon. Hours will be posted at the office along with contact information should you have questions when the office is not open.
9. PAYOUTS - Hitch checks will be available at the Horse Show Office on Sunday after the show until 6:00PM. If you don’t pick up your check up, it will be mailed. Open Class checks will all be mailed out.
10. RULE CHANGES:
    • The Antique/Unique Class will be open to both Open Class & Hitch Class. In the past it has only been open to the Open Class entries. It is open to singles and multiple hitches
    • All Drivers may enter each class only ONE time. In the past, Drivers were allowed to enter classes multiple times with different teams. This has been changed to accommodate more
    • Exhibitors in a limited time. Exhibitor/Crew Wristbands – Each Hitch entry will receive 10 FREE wristbands, and each Open Class entry will receive 4 FREE wristbands. The FREE wristbands will be in Exhibitor Packets. Should Exhibitors require more Exhibitor/Crew wristbands, they may be purchased in the Show Office for $5 each. These must be worn to gain access to the Staging Area and Grandstand area. Those with these wristbands will receive a discounted price for the Bar-B-Qs on Friday and Saturday evenings.
    • Segway, bike, 4-wheeler and Golf Cart Use – These vehicles are allowed on the grounds, but we ask they be ridden/driven slowly and responsibly. Minors must have adult supervision. These conveyances pose liability and safety risks. Youth may NOT ride Segways during Performance hours. PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE.
11. SAFETY FIRST! Be sure to check your equipment and horses before entering the arena. The committee will have people at the in-gate checking for any safety concerns, but remember, safety is your responsibility.
12. SHOW SCHEDULE: Please check the Show Schedule and be at the warmup/staging area before your class. The times listed on the schedule are approximate and may change as the show progresses. Your class may be going into the arena a few minutes earlier or later so stay on top of what is happening in the arena. It is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to keep track of class progress and be ready when their class is called. The committee will work hard to stay on schedule and keep the show moving along.
13. STALLING - Stalls are limited at the Powell County Fairgrounds and are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Please indicate on the entry form your first choice for type of stalls and every effort will be made to accommodate your wishes. If the stalls you would like to have are all reserved the committee will contact you to see what your second choice is.
    • Small Horse Barn - Open Class Horses will be stalled in this barn as they have been for the past couple of years, if there is availability. These are box stalls, approx. 10’ X 12’. Exhibitors are encouraged to put two animals in each stall. Please note on entry form if only one animal will be placed in the box stall. This year, for the first time, there will also be tie stalls available in this barn.
    • Blue Ribbon Pavillion - Hitch Horses will be assigned stalls in this barn if there is availability. There are Box Stalls, limited to one animal per stall and tie stalls, limited to one animal per stall.
    • Outdoor Panel Stalls – The Expo Committee will be setting up outside panel stalls. They will be approx. 10’ X 12’. If all inside stalls have been reserved, Open and Hitch horses will be stalled outside. There will be parking and dry campsites near the outdoor stalls. Water will be available from nearby spigots. Open Class exhibitors are encouraged to put two animals in each pen if possible. Hitch entries will put one animal in each pen.
    • Exhibitor Provided Pens – Exhibitors may supply their own outdoor pens/stalls. If you choose this option, please note on your entry form.
14. STEAK DINNER BAR-B-Q - The Expo Committee will be preparing a Steak Bar-B-Q on Friday and Saturday evenings in the picnic area. If you send in your orders and money for the dinner with your entry form, your tickets will be in your EXHIBITOR PACKET. Additional reduced cost exhibitor tickets will be available at the dinner until food runs out. These will be $10. Along with the dinner there will be live music. This dinner is open to the public and those tickets may be purchased at the picnic area for $15.
15. WRISTBANDS - ALL Exhibitors and Crew members must wear wristbands. There are special wristbands for exhibitors and crew members. These must be WORN to be admitted to the staging/warmup areas and the grandstand area. These wristbands also are required to obtain a discounted ticket to the Bar-B-Qs on Friday and Saturday evenings. Each Hitch entry will have 10 wristbands, and each Open entry will have 4 in their exhibitor packets. Additional wristbands may be purchased in the show office for $5 each.

16. HAVE A GOOD TIME AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE, THAT’S WHAT IT IS REALLY ABOUT. Let a committee member know if there are problems or concerns. These things

     

    can’t be addressed if they are not known about.