Local Horse News

Popular Programs Return to the 20th Anniversary Western States Horse Expo!

(April 16, 2018 – El Dorado Hills, CA.) 2018 is the 20th Anniversary year for the Western States Horse. For the last two decades this exposition has celebrated the spirit of the horse, the equestrian and rural lifestyle with all that they encompass. Happening June 8-10, 2018 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, this has been the premier event of its kind, and had been one of the most trusted resources for innovation, inspiration and education within the equestrian community unlike any other! On Friday evening, June 8, 2018, after a full day of demonstrations, lectures and amazing shopping, attendees will be able to witness the Magnificent 7 All Around Stock-Horse Championship where seven of the best horse/human teams in the country will be competing in four events, in one evening, on the same horse. This is an event sure to thrill everyone!

The Western Select Barrel Race is happening on Saturday evening, June 9, 2018 and Sunday morning, June 10, 2018, This race has a jackpot of $10,000 making it one of the largest purses west of the Mississippi. Riders will be racing for cash ($10,000) and prizes and the excitement of the crowd!

Of course, the Western Select Ranch & Barrel HORSE SALE is going to be an exhilarating event happening on Sunday June 10, 2018. Managed for the Western States Horse Expo by Parnell Dickenson, this sale will showcase some of the very best horses on the market today. Grab a bid paddle and be part of the excitement as you bring home your new horse!

That certainly is an exciting program, but the Western States Horse Expo is not stopping there. Not by a
longshot. ART OF THE HORSE EXHIBITION and SALE is happening all weekend long at the 20th Anniversary Event! Artists who focus the subject of their work on the horse and the rural lifestyle associated with the horse, in whatever medium they work in, are invited to participate in the ART of the HORSE Exhibition and Sale. A$1000.00 prize will be awarded to the Best of Show Winner, and $250.00 prizes will be awarded to each of the Division First Place Winners. Spaces in the exhibition are limited. Deadline to submit Artist Application for this juried exhibition, is April 27, 2018. For more information and an application packet, please visit the Western States Horse Expo Art of the HORSE event website at: https://horsexpo.com/events/art-show/. Artists who wish to be part of the Mane Market Mall at the Western States Horse Expo can purchase a 10 x 10 booth space for just $500.00. To reserve a booth space please call 800-352-2411 Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.

CLINICANS UNMOUNTED is a great opportunity for attendees to sit down with their favorite clinicians, such as Julie Goodnight, Jonathan Field, Warwick Schiller, Robert Gage, Gina Miles and Scott Purdum, away from the arena and in a casual setting to gain instruction, advice, insights and learn more about their horsemanship journey. Clinicians Unmounted happens all three days of the Western States Horse Expo. Access to these wonderful opportunities are part of the general admission ticket. This learning opportunity has become incredibly popular with attendees.

HORSE EXPO UNIVERSITY is another great learning opportunity on the 20th Anniversary celebration program. Attendees will be able to meet and learn from Equine Health professionals and industry leaders such as Dr. Nancy Loving, DMV, Jim Masterson, Darrell Nephew, Bryan Owen, Kat Chrysostom and Zachary Rhodes, EqD IAED/C. Attendees should come prepared with a notebook and be ready to take their knowledge to new heights in this great classroom-like setting happening all three days of the Western States Horse Expo.

HORSEINTEREST is much like Pinterest, but focuses on hands-on crafting of great items for horses! This year attendees can learn to make mohair cinches with Pop Wagner at the Western States Horse Expo! Cost is $150 for one day, $275 for two days and $350 for three days. Cost includes material for one basic 17 strand tied cinch per day (material for other types of cinches may cost a little more). NOTE: This is a LIMITED opportunity for only three people per day. Advanced registration is highly recommended! To reserve your spot and register for the workshop, please email Pop Wagner at popwagner@aol.com or call him at 612-817-5898.

TRAIL SYMPOSIUM is the place to take your trail riding, horse camping and the preservation of our natural equestrian riding resources – the amazing trails – to new levels. The majority of horse owners are trail riders — and trail riders today are continuously challenged with losing trails throughout the country. The Trail Symposium will help you make your trail outings longer, safer, new and exciting for seasons to come. Do not miss out on the great demonstrations and talks happening all three days of the Western States Horse Expo.

YOUNG RIDER PARK is the place for all young equestrians to gather up and enjoy some fun activities!
Sponsored by Young Rider Magazine, everyone from tykes to teenagers, anyone who is an aspiring rider can have fun with the wide variety of activities available. Sponsored by Young Rider Magazine, the Young Rider Park is a safe and fun place for anyone enthusiastic about horses. Some of the scheduled activities include:
Clinicians presenting to Young Riders (check schedule), A Horse Cookie Kitchen, Horse Painting, Grooming by CSHA. Horse Shoe Painting and much more. Attendees should check the schedule to see what is happening in the Young Rider Park all three days of the Western States Horse Expo.

BREED REVELATION will inspire and exhilarate attendees as FOURTEEN (14) different breeds of horse will
be on hand to show what they can do and how versatile they can be. Some of the breeds that attendees will be able to meet are: Kiger Mustangs, Friesians, Tennessee Walkers, Haflinger, Highland and Fell Ponies, American Mules, Andalusians/ Baroque Horses, Akahal-Teke, Morgan, Peruvian Paso and more. This “attendee favorite” event is truly impressive and should not be missed. Bring you camera!

CALIFORNIA COWGIRLS will be on hand all weekend long demonstration their amazing drill team skills,
exceptional horsemanship and will be hosting an informative Question and Answer session all three days of the Western States Horse Expo. Do not miss out on their exciting performances.

If that were not enough to get the equestrian and rural lifestyle community to load up and show up, the Western States Horse Expo team has recently announced the creation of SEVEN (7) new Ticket Packages! These packages cover single attendee/ one day to family members/ multiple days as well as special evening event admissions and parking which can all be purchased online at the Western States Horse Expo website. The 20th Anniversary Western States Horse Expo is one that anyone interested in horses, the equestrian and the rural lifestyle should not miss! With so much on the schedule and so many amazing exhibitors sharing their topnotch, innovative products and services, attendees may find it challenging to fit the Western States Horse Expo Experience into a single weekend…but they certainly should try! Load up, show up and be prepared to be amazed as the 20th Anniversary gets underway on June 8-10, 2018 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.

About Western States Horse Expo
Presenting two of the best Horse Expositions in the United States, California’s Western States Horse Expo in Pomona and Sacramento are a must-attend events for any “equine and rural lifestyle enthusiast’ no matter what their level! In three short days Attendees can catch up on the latest training and education, shop the nation’s premier equine vendors and connect with your horse friends. Attending the Western States Horse Expo is a low-cost, high quality way to stay engaged in the horse industry, making sure you have the tools, knowledge and products to help make the most of your investment (and enhancing your experience) in the equine and rural lifestyle year round! Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2018, these events will celebrations that you will not want to miss!
Information our 2018 Sacramento event: https://horsexpo.com/

Art of the Horse Presented at Western States Horse Expo

The 19th annual Western States Horse Expo, June 9-11, 2017 in Sacramento, California is proud to present “Art of the Horse,” a juried art show and sale that features the magnificent world of horses in various art mediums.

You could walk through 15 art galleries in San Francisco or Los Angeles and not see one work of art that features horses. But at the Western States Horse Expo, an entire building area is dedicated to beautiful pieces of art, all focused on the horse.

Horse people embrace the horse in so many ways — having horses is truly a lifestyle, reflected by clothing, footwear, vehicles, barns, fencing — and artwork that adorns our homes. At the Western States Horse Expo, visitors can stroll through the art show and find a fascinating array of artwork — and it’s all for sale!

This year, in an ongoing effort to draw the finest artists in the country, the Western States Horse Expo is offering a $1,000 cash prize to the winner of Best in Show, and a $250 cash prize to first places in each division.

Categories for the show include acrylic, colored pencil, mixed media, sculpture, wearable art, oil, pastel, pencil/charcoal, photography, and watercolor. To encourage young people to participate in expressing their love of horses, there are junior art categories. Each division is judged by professionals, with top honor going to Best of Show. Expo attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite piece of art, and the most popular vote will be presented with the “People’s Choice Award.”

Horses have been the icons of civilization throughout history, with mankind depending upon them for farming, transportation, war, and exploration. Horses have been depicted in art throughout the ages, too, often seen in larger-than-life statues. In fact, there is urban legend that soldiers seen astride in statues are thought to have died during battle if the horse is rearing. The soldier was wounded in battle if one of the horse’s front legs is lifted up, and if all four hooves are on the ground, the soldier died outside of battle.

Horses have captured our hearts and our attention throughout the ages, and in recognition of how horse aficionados want to surround themselves with “all things horses,” the Western States Horse Expo invites you to visit the Art of the Horse art show and sale.

The Western States Horse Expo, June 9-11 in Sacramento, California is open Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information can be found at www.horsexpo.com

The 19th annual Western States Horse Expo, June 9-11, 2017 in Sacramento, California has once again carefully chosen topics that will both educate and entertain attendees. This year is punctuated with some very special presentations, and the Expo has even constructed new arenas to accommodate all the exciting events!

At the top of the list is a three-day, all-day-long clinic with Charles deKunffy. From Austro-Hungarian nobility, deKunffy is world-renowned for teaching classical training traditions and classical riding skills. Whether teaching cross-country, jumping or dressage, deKunffy teaches with equal dedication and thoroughness whether teaching a beginner or coaching an Olympic Gold Medalist. The clinic at the Expo will host 10 riders, with seating available for auditors. To enroll as a rider or auditor, call the Expo at 800.352.2411.

The line-up of clinicians also sparkles this year. From basic horsemanship skills to specific disciplines, it’s all here. Where else can attendees compare the top clinicians in the nation all for the cost of admission — less than an auditor fee with just one clinician? As an added bonus, the Expo features “Clinicians Unmounted,” a group atmosphere where people can ask questions of the clinicians and meet them face-to-face. This year, as in the past, the Expo presents the best of the best:

• Pat Parelli, founder of modern day Natural Horsemanship and a complete program of developing both horse and rider
• John Lyons, “America’s Most Trusted Horseman”
• Josh Lyons, founder of Josh Lyons Certification Program
• Warwick Schiller, reining
• Jim Masterson, equine massage
• Kalley Krickenberg, three days of colt starting
• Brandi Lyons, fundamentals, confidence, control
• Jochen Schleese, saddle fitting

Focused on education, the Western States Horse Expo University will host a number of topics including equine research, health, nutrition, fitness and behavior. Featured experts are: Deb Bennett, horse anatomy and biomechanics; Bryan Owen, photonic heath and proper foot balance; Kristin Stephens, equine nutrition; Rick Roncka, equine pharmaceuticals; Carole Herder, hoof boots and saddle pads; Jeff Moore, therapeutic connection between horse and rider; and Richard Godbee, animal nutrition and nutritional biochemistry. Educators also include Ron McLoughlin, lateral system of training focusing on horse’s footwork; Lyn Ringrose Moe, Cowboy Dressage; Heidi McLaughlin, overcoming fear.

Attendees are invited to the Andis Clipper Barn, where clipper and grooming seminars will be presented all day long.

Here’s what a past visitor said about the Expo’s Trail Symposium:

“Like most of my horse pals, we are trail riders. We always want to know about new places to ride, and the Symposium has representatives who are knowledgeable about trails in our area — there are even folks from the U.S. Forest Service. We look forward to talks about preserving our trails, which all horse enthusiasts need to pay attention to. Our riding group has always wanted to go overnight camping but were pretty hesitant to try. Last year the Trail Symposium experts answered all our questions, even showing us different rope knots to tie our horses. I watched a demonstration on campfire cooking, and will definitely try cooking biscuits in a Dutch oven when we go horse camping!”

This year, Trail Symposium experts include: Teresa Spencer, horse safety; Samantha Szesciorka, long distance riding; Jerry Heitzler, mules; George Archer, packing; Carolyn Gilmore, wildfire preparedness; Debra Mason, Dutch oven open-fire cooking; Lucy Badenhoop, planning ahead and preparedness; Dennis Serpa, Back Country Horsemen of California.

If you’re looking for a handsome, well-trained horse to adopt, BLM Mustang Adoptions are scheduled this year (check www.horsexpo.com for days and times). These horses have been professionally started and are bound to capture your heart.

Famous for more horse trailers on display than anywhere else in the nation, the Rigs and Digs area of the Western States Horse Expo showcases acres of horse trailers from basic stock varieties to the fanciest of living quarters. Last year there were over 20 manufacturers! The Horse Expo also offers mechanics right on the grounds who will put on a new hitch, rewire lighting — everything you need to make driving your new trailer a safe experience.

On Saturday night, grab a beverage and settle down for an evening presentation with Pat Parelli and his team. Known for his elegant horsemanship and outstanding showmanship, Pat will entertain you and keep you enthused about elevating your own skills. Be sure to attend this performance — Pat is definitely an inspiration.

Wait! Bet you haven’t heard this before! This year the Expo is introducing Poker Rodeo to its lineup! This sport challenges riders to think strategically and ride competitively in dynamic, timed events. Events include PokerPenning and 2ManPokerSort. Instead of standard numbers on the cows for these events, riders are looking for specially designed giant playing cards on the cattle. The challenge is to make the best possible five-card poker hand! Should be a hoot to watch at the Expo! To view a video, visit www.pokerrodeo.com.

And you can’t appreciate the Expo without grazing your way through the huge variety of food offered here. This year they’ve “bammed” it up a notch — so be sure to cruise the menus before deciding on the delicious fare.

The Western States Horse Expo, June 9-11 in Sacramento, California is open Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information can be found at www.horsexpo.com. Follow Western States Horse Expo on Facebook for updates.

About Western States Horse Expo
The Sacramento location for the Western States Horse Expo is now celebrating its 19th anniversary June 9-11, 2017 and the Western States Horse Expo Pomona, California celebrated its sixth year in 2017. Founded by horsewoman and entrepreneur Miki Nelsen, the Western States Horse Expos are the largest equine expositions in the United States.

Who:  All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc.

What: Fundraiser – ‘Boots and Bling’, an evening of entertainment including BBQ Dinner, Live and Silent Auctions, and Dancing to support All About Equine’s horse rescue operations and programs and celebrate ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day.

Special appearance by:  Sacramento KCRA Channel 3 TV personality Tamara Berg

When:Saturday, April 22, 2017 – doors open at 5:00 PM

Where:El Dorado Hills Community Services District Gymnasium

1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills, CA

Photo Op:      You are welcome to schedule a time to visit the rescue, take pictures of the horses, and meet some of the adoptable horses, and we would love for you to join us at Boots and Bling

Event Flyer:   attached pdf.

Contact:         Dave Fulton, (916) 813-1444, dave@allaboutequine.org

All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. (AAE) is holding its fourth annual Boots and Bling fundraising event in support of ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day on Saturday, April 22, 2017.  The public is invited to participate in event festivities, which include a BBQ dinner, live/silent auctions, DJ entertainment, and dancing.  This year’s Boots and Bling event celebrates AAE’s eight years of horse rescue and ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day, while raising funds to support AAE’s horses and equine-based programs. 

AAE is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has rescued and rehabilitated over 185 abused and abandoned horses since 2009; more than 145 horses have been adopted into loving forever homes.  AAE has equine-based programs for youth and adults.  AAE is honored to be a GuideStar Platinum level nonprofit, and AAE was awarded Top-Rated Nonprofit in 2014, 2015, and 2016 by GreatNonprofits.org.

AAE is grateful for the many sponsors that have supported this important fundraising evening including Lees’ Feed & Western Store, Shingle Springs, as the first major sponsor of this event.  Additional sponsors, including The Niello Company and Townsend Raimundo Besler & Usher have also contributed in a big way.  Wendy Digiorno, Founder and Executive Director offers, “The fact that industry leaders are willing to support our event confirms AAE’s mission and validates the hard work of our volunteers”.

Tickets are $30.00 per person; and sponsorships, including tables, are still available.  This is a fun and exciting evening you don’t want to miss. 

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.allaboutequine.org/events

All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. (AAE) is located in El Dorado Hills, California. AAE’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate horses and other animals, restore them to good health, and find each one a forever home.

Get a little shopping in while the weather is not riding friendly! Always a popular sale.