The Great New York State Fair Renames Show Ring In Memory of Longtime Horse Show Superintendent

Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales, and More Return to Compete in One of NY’s Largest Indoor Arenas

 

The Great New York State Fair today announced it will rename its show ring in the Toyota Coliseum on September 4, 2021 in memory of Naomi Blumenthal, who managed the Fair’s horse shows and promoted her own shows at the Toyota Coliseum for more than 40 years. A pillar of New York’s equestrian community and a mentor to many, Naomi was an equestrian studies teacher and coach at Cazenovia College, and additionally served as president of the National Professional Horsemen's Association. Naomi was also recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. She passed away in December 2020.

Troy Waffner, Fair Director, said, “Every time I walk into the Toyota Coliseum, I think of Naomi. It’s impossible not to. Naomi spent so much time in this building so it’s only fitting that the show ring, where horses will continue to entertain fairgoers each year, will bear her name. It will remind everyone of the tremendous impact one person can have.”

“It’s a big honor. My mother appreciated recognition, but would never expect something so permanent and wonderful,” said Shari Schneider, Naomi’s daughter. “I don’t remember a time when my mother wasn’t preparing for the Fair or working there.  She loved introducing horse shows to people who don’t normally see them. That was her pride and joy.”

Naomi’s work modernizing and managing multi-discipline competitions kept fans coming back to some of the most popular shows on the Fairgrounds. While her presence will be missed, her name will greet thousands of Fair visitors and riders for decades to come, all of whom have benefitted from her dedication to the industry.

Horse Shows at the 2021 Fair

At the 2021 Fair, Families will get a chance to watch New York State’s best show horses compete inside the Toyota Coliseum. On August 29 at noon and 4pm, a horse pulling competition shows off the pure muscle power of draft horses. Winners pull the most weight for a short distance. During the afternoon break between shows, the Total Chaos Rodeo Drill Team will entertain the crowd. The group of female riders, based in Parish, NY, choreograph dance routines on horseback, with music.

The Toyota Coliseum is always buzzing during the four-day Draft Horse Show in the final stretch of the Fair, September 2-5. Fans can watch powerful teams of Belgians, Percherons, and Clydesdales competing. Seats fill up fast for one of the largest draft horse shows on this side of the Mississippi. The top hitches in the country are vying for a coveted spot in the North American Classic Six Horse Series Finals during this final qualifying weekend.

While competitions begin early in the morning, the Toyota Coliseum is open to the general public at 11 a.m., after the Fair gates officially open. The horse shows schedule is as follows, although subject to change.

August 29           12:00 p.m.     Horse Pullers

2:30 p.m. (est.) Total Chaos Rodeo Drill Team

4:00 p.m.        Horse Pullers

September 2       8:00 a.m.        Draft Horse Show

2:00 p.m.        Percheron, North American Six-Horse Hitch

6:00 p.m.        Belgian Registered Gelding Cart

September 3       8:30 a.m.       Draft Youth Decorating Show

11:00 a.m.     Registered Shire Paris

2:00 p.m.        Belgian Six-Horse Hitch

6:00 p.m.       Draft Horse Costume Class

September 4       1:00 p.m.        North American Classic Six Horse Hitch

4:00 p.m.        Dedication ceremony for Naomi Blumenthal Show Ring

6:00 p.m.        North American Series Cart Class

September 5       9:00 a.m.        Draft Youth Carts Show

1:00 p.m.        Draft Four-Horse Hitch

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair is America’s third largest state fair. The Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment and is a key piece of the CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. Fair attendance is up more than 46% since the beginning of more than $120 million in investments, with 1.33 million people attending the Fair in 2019. The 2021 Fair runs from August 20 to September 6.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Find the Great New York State Fair on its website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair to statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

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