2020 Horse Show spotlight: a dressage surprise

Jenna Smith has been riding horses on-and-off since she was about 12 years old. Now at age 23, she continues to find surprises – like the pleasant surprise to hear the N.C. State Fair Horse Shows would continue this year even if the fair did not. Her championship ribbon from the Oct. 23-25 show was a pretty nice surprise too. “Overall I think it went really well. We had some things we definitely could have improved on, but I acknowledge that I could have improved on it, so I wasn’t frustrated with whatever placing we got,” Smith said after racking…

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Weekend Update: April 22-24

The Southern Women’s Show returns to the Graham Building and Exposition Center this weekend. The show invites you to spend the day doing the things you love. Relax with spa treatments and makeovers, shop for clothes, jewelry and gifts, enjoy gourmet food and wine, discover travel ideas, get health screenings, or enjoy cooking classes, or a fashion show. Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for ages 6 to 12. Advance tickets available online for $10 or $8 at…

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Horse Show Activities

City dwellers unacquainted with North Carolina’s 300,000 horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and burros will get a chance to witness the growing industry at the 2015 N.C. State Fair Oct. 15-25. Last year the State Fair and the N.C. Horse Council partnered to celebrate the “Year of the Horse,” offering numerous equine events to complement the traditional horse shows. This year the fair and horse council present “Nothing Could Be Finer than a Horse in Carolina,” adding more educational and entertaining equine activities for fairgoers. The popular, free five-minute horseback riding lessons will make a return to the fair, showcasing what…

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Weekend Update: July 24-26

Families in search of savings on kid’s items, can find them at the fairgrounds this weekend. The Kids Exchange Consignment Sale will be held in the Graham Building and Exposition Center through Sunday. Visitors will find new clothes, toys and other children’s items sold at discounted prices. Items are marked half price Sunday, July 26. Admission is free and open to the public. Hours are: Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other weekend events include: Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia Three-Day Show, July 24-26 Inside Pitch Promotions will present…

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Weekend Update: Nov. 16-18

Horses, Rollergirls and outdoors enthusiasts are all part of the lineup this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Read on for more details. RMI Raleigh Benefit Hunter/Jumper Show Hunter and jumper competitions return to the Hunt Horse complex this week with the RMI Raleigh Benefit Hunter/Jumper Show. This nationally sanctioned event runs through Sunday with shows starting daily at 8 a.m. Saturday night, visitors can enjoy the Grand Prix at  7 p.m. All events are free for spectators. Carolina Roller Derby Carolina Rollergirls will take to the track in Dorton Arena Saturday for their annual charity bout. A portion of…

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Weekend Update: June 22-24

Horsepower and horse shows are part of this weekend’s lineup at the fairgrounds. Read on for more information about three special events being held, and don’t forget to check out the weekly Raleigh Flea Market, open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Classic Car Auction Classic cars will be on display and up for grabs in the Graham Building and Expo Center Friday and Saturday. More than 250 vintage vehicles from four private collections will be on the auction block. A public preview will be held Friday from 8 a.m to 10 a.m., and auctions will be…

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Weekend Update: July 1-4

The holiday weekend at the fairgrounds kicks off today with the start of the NCHJA Annual Hunter Jumper Show at the Hunt Horse Complex. Horses will compete for thousands of dollars in prize money, and the show will feature a variety of special events open to the public. Visitors will have the chance to pet ponies, watch a blacksmith at work and browse the offerings at a silent auction. Frank Cox Productions will host its second Gem & Jewelry Show of the summer Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Scott Building. The diverse offerings for show and sale will include…

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Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend?

Just a few quick ideas if you’re looking to stay close to home or are looking for a day trip this Labor Day weekend: County Fairs Hickory American Legion Fair Sept. 1-7 Hwy 70, Ext 528 off I-40, Newton www.hickoryamericanlegionfair.com Moore Co. Agricultural Fair Sept. 1-5 3699 US 15-501 Hwy., Carthage www.moorecountyfair.com Cape Fear Fair Sept. 3-12 3407 Doc Bennett Rd, Fayetteville www.capefearfair.org

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