MHHS History

  • In 1974 the first Minnesota Aid to the Zoo [A-Z] Horse Show was held as a combination Hunter/Jumper and American Saddlebred show, benefiting the Minnesota Zoological Society. Organizers included Bob & Zandra Powers, Hans Senn, Chip Reker, Louise Otten, Joe Cleary, Norm and Rita Van Sloun, Kris [Pendergast] and Mike Parish, Irv Brooks, and John Nordgren, Barbara Lyman, Keith Bartz, Franklin Groves, Jack Gassner, and Tom Walsh.
  • In 1978 the name was changed to the Minnesota Fall Charity Horse Show.
  • In the 1980s the Minnesota Fall Charity Horse Show became an exclusively hunter/jumper show and promoted the Saturday night Grand Prix to a broader audience.
  • In 1992 Beth Miner took the reins along with Midstates Horse Shows. It is renamed the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show. The Grand Prix moves to the Target Center.
  • In 1993 the Grand Prix returned to the Minnesota State Fair Coliseum.
  • In 2006 Beth Miner stepped down after 14 years of service, and a new committee worked alongside Midstates Horse Shows to expand sponsorship and increase the attendance of competitors and spectators.
  • In 2009 Infinity Direct updated the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show brand. www.minnesotaharvesthorseshow.com is born. A new event, Jumping with the Stars, is added. The Hunter Spectacular moves to the Friday night lineup.
  • The Horse Show Management organization, Showplace Productions, led by Pat Boyle and his talented team, takes over the management of the horse show.
  • In 2016 the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
  • 2019 Over the course of many years, the show has expanded its charitable contributions to four equine-related 501(c)(3)’s: We Can Ride, This Old Horse, and Equine Innovations. Each organization participates in helping the Committee run the show in very important ways. They are also featured during the Pre-show of the Grand Prix.
  • In 2020 the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show was canceled for the first time in its history due to the Covid-19 pandemic.