Mission Statement

Horse-A-Rama exists to improve the equine facilities on the grounds of Manitowoc County Expo, Inc., to promote and maintain an interest in horses, and to expose the public to the varied aspects of the equine industry.

It is the purpose of Horse-A-Rama to:

• Create and imporve the horse show facilities on the grounds of Manitowoc County Expo. Inc.
• Promote the safety of horse owners and exhibitors using the equine facilities.
• Generate interest in and educate the public about horses and the equine industry.

The History of HORSE-A-RAMA

In 1987, members of the four horse organizations active in Manitowoc County, the Branch River Riding Club, the Timberline Horsemen, the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin, and the Manitowoc County 4-H Horse and Pony Project, sharing a common vision to improve the equine show facilities for the horse people in Manitowoc County, especially for the young horse enthusiasts, organized the fund-raiser, Horse-A-Rama.

Spring of 1988 saw the first Horse-A-Rama event at the Manitowoc County Expo Center.
The event was bustling with excitement and activity as people from all walks of life came to see and experience the World of Horses. They were able to browse among a wide array of vendors displaying arts and crafts, fashionable clothing, horse equipment, professional photographers and could attend seminars presented by experts in the horse field. The horse barns were filled to capacity with various breeds of horses, all waiting to show off their special traits and talents to the enthusiastic crowds.

With the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and the support from local businesses, the first Horse-A-Rama was more successful than ever imagined. The committee decided to continue the event forming Horse-A-Rama, Inc. with a goal of building a high quality horse show facility at the Manitowoc County Expo Center. Growing interest in Horse-A-Rama prompted the Board of Directors to apply for public charity status and in 2006 was granted a 501 (c) (3) designation.

Looking at the horse facilities today, it is hard to believe that in 1974, when the first horse show was held on the Expo grounds, the ring was made of snow fence and the announcer stand was a hay wagon. Each year Horse-A-Rama has brought improvements to the horse facilities. The following is a timeline of projects completed by Horse-A-Rama, Inc. at the Manitowoc County Expo Center.

1988 Prepared the footing and constructed the 140’ x 250’ show ring.

1989 Built the show office/announcer stand and improved the footing in the existing horse barns.

1990 Purchased equipment for maintaining the show ring and bleachers for spectators.
Upgraded electricity and lighting in barns.

1991 Improved drainage around the show ring and purchased replacement stall doors.

1992 The proceeds from Horse-A-Rama were put into savings for the biggest project yet: an additional horse barn.

1993 Built the new 60’ x 100’ horse barn.

1994 Volunteers constructed 20 wood stalls along outside walls of new barn.

1995 Purchased and installed 18 portable horse stalls in the center of the new barn.
Installed aluminum gutters, downspouts and soffits on all horse barns.

1996- 1997 Purchased aluminum bleachers and installed new barn signage.

1998 Constructed a 100’ x 154’ warm-up ring, installed new gates on show ring and 2002 electrical outlets in barn C. Painted interiors of older horse barns.

2003 Expanded the show office to include kitchen facilities and storage area for equipment. Cemented sidewalk around building.

2004 Added a new sound system with speakers, installed an audio-visual system, added gates to warm-up ring

2005 Installed air-conditioning and heating units to horse show office, added another sound system. Purchased a TR3 grooming rake for ring maintenance.

2006 – present Saving for mulit-purpose show arena

Horse-A-Rama is an all volunteer organization with a 501 (c) (3) status, a public charity to which donations are tax deductible.  All profits go directly into the building and maintenance of the equine facilities at Manitowoc County Expo.  Over the 21 years that Horse-A-Rama has been in existence, support of our fund raising event has allowed us to invest nearly $200,000.00 into a new horse barn, a large outdoor show ring, a show office with kitchen and storage facilities, and a warm-up ring.  Now, Horse-A-Rama is committed to erecting a 130’ x 200’ multi-purpose indoor show arena with a cost estimate of $520,000.00 that would host larger livestock events, provide a high ceiling clearance for advanced styles of riding, provide protection in inclement weather and offer less crowded exhibit and performance space.  A covered bleacher area would improve the comfort of spectators and handicapped and increase the seating capacity from a few hundred to over a thousand.