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By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD - "American Idol" contestant Ayla Brown of Boston and Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" will appear at the Symphony of Horses on April 20 at the Eastern States Exposition. The evening begins at 8 a.m. but seating will start around 7:15 p.m. "We wanted to bring it back because it is our 25th horse show," Christine Cassenti, chairperson for the event, said to Reminder Publications. According to Christine, Kressley has been riding horses since he was a young boy and has a niece who is a rider. Kressley will be a commentater for a part of the show. Brown's journey on 'American Idol' began in August of 2005, after impressing producers in the preliminary rounds of auditioning. She was sent before the three celebrity judges in Boston and was granted a ticket to Hollywood where she finished in 13th-place. The show will be musically scored with live music by The Best of Boston Symphony, a 34-piece orchestra. There will be 20-horse acts from around the country performed by champion horses and riders. Judy Whitney of Kentucky, who specializes in Morgan Horses, will be performing with husband, Don Harris, who specializes in saddle bred horses. A variety of vendors will be available onsite that will sell high-end apparel, high-end jewelry, jewelry for kids, horse supplies and saddles. An animal communicator (animal psychic) will be present who claims to communicate with animals through a picture. Another vendor will be available who does embroidery. The last show of this kind took place in 1995 in West Springfield, the birthplace of the Morgan Horse. This show is the highlight of the week-long Spring Premiere Horse Shows at the Coliseum that will take place April 17 through April 21 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. All other shows are free of charge. The United Professional Horsemen's Association promotes the show. Chris and Larry Cassenti, the chairpersons for the event, have their own horse facility, Chrislar Farm, in Rowley. More information can be found at www.chrislar.com Tickets for the show can be purchased at the Big E Box office. An adult ticket is $50 for box seats; $35 for reserved seats and $20 for general admission. Formal attire is expected. More information go to www.thebige.com. | ||||||
