The Central States Fair Foundation stepped up to fund the enclosing of four horse stall barns at the Pennington County Fairgrounds. Previously, the stalls were open air stalls with covered roofs. The bitter cold of the 2014 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo caused concerns with the horse event participants that there was not adequate protection from the wind and cold for the horses. The Central States Fair Foundation agreed and has funded the cost of materials to enclose the open barns.
The greatest concern was expressed by horse owners from the southern states because their horses are not acclimated to the bitter cold. “These are high dollar horses and these owners won’t come back to Rapid City in the middle of winter if something isn’t done,” said Dean Johnson, American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Regional Representative and Central States Fair, Inc. Board of Director.
Haven Stuck, Central States Fair Foundation Chairman agreed and led the effort to fund the improvements.
The Central States Fair Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation that is dedicated to agricultural scholarships and supporting the infrastructure needs of the fairgrounds. Past projects funded by the Foundation include the Little Red Barn roof, the new grandstand seating and handrails, the log entrance gates, and the electronic sign on Cambell
Street.
The horse stall barn project is underway and will be completed before the 2015 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® Jan. 29-Feb. 8, 2015. For more information, please contact the Central States Fair office at 605-355-3861 or go to the website www.blackhillsstockshow.com.