Get your boots on, your trailer loaded, and head down to Cal Expo tomorrow, Friday, June 13th for another installment of the Western States Horse and Ranch Exposition. For those that have attended the Expo previously, you know that it is chalk full of exhibitors, clinicians, and horses. There is everything that the horseperson could want. For those that haven’t attended, below we have a few brief summaries of things to expect at this year’s Expo:
* Equine Dream Art Show and Sale
The Art Show and Sale enters it’s 16th year at the Expo. Come celebrate the beauty and majesty of the horse with artists from all around the world. Hundreds of pieces will be on display from fine artists in wide ranging categories from: oil, acrylic, colored pencil, pastel, pen & ink, pencil/charcoal, watercolor, photography, sculpture, pottery, mixed media and wearable art. Last year, Stephanie Rose Long from Fallon, NV captured the Grand Champion award in the art competition for her pastel work, “Dianoro.â€
* Charles Wilhelm’s Ultimate Super Horse Challenge
Previously featured on SacHorse.com, the Challenge will feature up to 15 riders in a competition “designed to showcase the rider’s control, and the horse’s relaxed lightness and responsiveness throughout the course. The challenge is designed to show the versatility of the horse and test the rider to excel in their abilities and to demonstrate their relationship with their horse, horsemanship and equitation.†The top 5 finalists will compete on Saturday Evening for the grand prize of a trip for 2 to the Hawaii Horse Expo. The second prize of $500 isn’t too shabby either. If you miss the performance on Saturday Evening, the top 5 finalists will also perform in a short musical freestyle program on Sunday. SacHorse.com’s Mandi Thompson from Mandi Thompson Training will be among the competitors.
* Magnificent 7
The Magnificent 7 brings some of the top horsemen from the US and Canada together to demonstrate their skill and versatility in 4 different events: herd work, rein work, steer stopping ,and fence work. The competition is based on an event called the World’s Championship All-Around Stock Horse Contest originally created by legendary horseman Bobby Ingersoll. Big money is at stake as a $25,000 purse will be up for grabs. You can view the horsemen in action on Friday evening beginning at 7 pm. A separate ticket is required for the competition. Tickets for the Magnificent 7 will be $10.
* Horse Sale
Entering it’s 15th year at the Expo, the horse sale makes available over 100 horses of different breeds and disciplines to attendees. Dave Hammond from Dave Hammond Auctions will be conducting this year’s Sale. “We are expecting over 100 horses to be entered into the Horse Sale this year, which will consist of well broke riding horses in English or Western,†said Mr. Hammond. “Since 1985, we have worked hard to offer something for everyone, from show horses to gentle trail riding veterans.â€
Starting on Friday morning, attendees can view the horses for sale and speak with the owners of the horses. The formal preview and demonstrations will begin at 9 am the morning of the Horse Sale. Cattle will be available for use during the demons. The Sale will begin promptly at noon on Sunday, June 15th. If you’re interested in viewing the horses prior to coming to the Expo, please visit: www.DHAuctions.com. For questions about the sale, please call 916-801-9465.
* Clinicians
There will be tons of clinicians there to help you fix issues with your horse or take your horse to the next level. This year will be headlined by Bob Avila. Mr. Avila has won 37 World Champions/Reserve World Championships and over $1.7 million in events ranging from performance to halter. He is also the first recipient of the American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman title, “World’s Greatest Horseman.†Also in attendance will be Gina Miles, Olympic Silver Medalist; Eitan Bech-Halachy, known as the father of Cowboy Dressage; Richard Winters, National Reigning Cow Horse Association World Champion and host of HRTV’s Richard Winters Horsemanship; Richard Shrake, the legendary horseman known for his Resistance Free® training and riding method; Tim Kumara, a.k.a. “Man of Trail,†renowned trail course designer; Troy Compton, World and Congress Champion in Western Pleasure, and many, many more.
* Everything Else
As Ron Popeil would say, “That’s not all!†There will be a University area where attendees will learn everything from an education on equine physiology to tips on nutrition, saddle fitting, and barn design. Up Close and Personal sessions will offer attendees question and answer sessions with their favorite clinicians. There will also be a Trail Symposium, Young Rider Park, Draft Horses, Breed Revelation, Book Corral as well as over 400 Exhibitors for trucks, trailers, feed, barns, and everything in between and all around.
The Western States Horse & Ranch Exposition expects as many as 50,000 visitors through the turnstiles this year. If you plan on being one of the attendees, tickets will cost $18 per day or you can purchase a 3-day pass for $45. Youth 7-13 will be $5 per day and children 6 and under will be free. The Expo runs from Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th. Gates open at 9 am and the Expo closes at 6 pm, however, the Magnificent 7 and Ultimate Super Horse Challenge will be on Friday and Saturday evenings, respectively. The Expo will be held at Cal Expo Fairgrounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento. A map to the venue is below. Parking for Cal Expo is $10.
For more information, please visit the Horse Expo’s home on the web at www.horsexpo.com.
Young Rider Park will focus on 4-H and Pony Club programs where parents can learn about what these groups have to offer. And there are plenty of shopping booths covering everything imaginable from tack to clothes to trailer to something special for the barn. A list of all the activities follows this article.
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