Back to School Blast Horse Show Taking “Ice Bucket Challenge” to a Whole New Level Aug. 23

Contact: Karla Deaver, 4-H youth development specialist

Headquartered in Lawrence County 

Tel: (417) 466-3102

E-mail: deaverk@missouri.edu

Media inquiries call: Lynn Neidigh at 417-988-0798

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Close to 100 people are expected to participate in an “Ice Bucket Challenge” for the ALS Association between 7 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 as part of the “Back to School Blast” Hose Show at the Ozark Empire Fair, 3001 N. Grant Springfield, Mo. 

The challenge was issued by Julie Williams, Battalion Chief of the Springfield Fire Department.

All exhibitors and sponsors of the horse show are being asked to participate in the “Ice Bucket Challenge” and then to donate funds to the ALS Association. Organizers of the “Back to School Blast Horse Show” say all exhibitor donations will be matched up to $500.

In addition, over 100 children who are participating in the horse show are going to pour cold water on their heads too as a thank you to the co-founder of the show.

“Debi Woodward, co-founder of this horse show, is currently living with ALS. The other co-founder of the show, Julie Williams, issued the challenge. Our committee members wanted to do something to show our support of Debi,” said Lynn Neidigh, coordinator of the horse show committee. “Ozark MFA was nice enough to donate a 20 gallon water bucket commemorating the 100th anniversary of MFA for every exhibitor to use in this challenge.”

CHALLENGE HISTORY

The challenge involves people getting doused with buckets of ice water on video, posting that video to social media and then nominating others to do the same, all in an effort to raise ALS awareness. Those who refuse to take the challenge are asked to make a donation to the ALS charity of their choice.

Beverly, Mass., resident Pete Frates, along with his family, helped to make the “Ice Bucket Challenge” go viral this year on the social sites Facebook and Twitter.  Frates, 29, has lived with ALS since 2012, and he has worked with The ALS Association’s Massachusetts Chapter.  A former Division 1 college athlete with Boston College Baseball, Frates tirelessly spreads awareness of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

This viral sensation, which has used the hash tag #IceBucketChallenge, has attracted thousands of followers nationwide.

“This is a creative way to spread ALS awareness via social media and in communities nationwide,” said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association.  “We appreciate all of the individuals and groups that working to spread the word about ALS.”

HORSE SHOW DETAILS

The sixth annual “Back to School Blast” is a three-day youth horse show being held Aug. 22-24  at the Ozark Empire Fair, 3001 N. Grant Springfield, Mo. 

This horse show is open to any youth nationwide and is a major fundraiser for Greene County 4-H. Proceeds from the show will help fund the Greene County 4-H fair, Greene County 4-H scholarships, contest fees, trips and many other 4-H activities in the community. 

The “Back to School Blast” has grown to be the largest open all youth horse show in Southwest Missouri.  

This year’s horse show sponsors are: Go Classic Trailer, The Equine Clinic, Signs Now, Ozark MFA, Ozark Empire Fair, SOMO Farm and Ranch Supply, PFI Western Stores Inc. and Race Brothers.

For more information visit www.backtoschoolblastallyouthhorseshow.com online or email the organizers at btsbhorseshow@gmail.com. Lynn Neidigh and Gail Driskell are the volunteer organizers of this year’s horse show.

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