The 13th annual Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, presented by Bison Coach, will celebrate the spirit of the horse, featuring the new All Breed Challenge, world class trainers and riders, horse breeds from all over the world, seminars, clinics, demonstrations, shopping in a huge trade show, plus exhilarating equine entertainment! The Northwest Horse Fair and Expo is scheduled slightly later than in previous years, running March 22 through 25, 2012 at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany, Oregon.
Horsemen and horsewomen of all ages and disciplines are encouraged to make an application to compete in the All Breed Challenge, an exciting versatility competition, new this year at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo. According to John Cloe, Event Founder and Manager, “Horse and rider teams from multiple riding disciplines will negotiate a timed obstacle course that draws challenges from numerous riding disciplines including trail, barrel, ranch versatility, reining, jumping, dressage and more!” Competitors will be judged on accuracy, horsemanship, equitation and attitude of the horses. Riders 12 years of age and older, are eligible to compete and may come from any riding discipline. The excitement starts Thursday evening at the Northwest Horse Fair, and continues Friday with Round One; then Semi-Finalists will compete Saturday. The competition culminates with the Finals on Sunday, as the top scoring competitors vie for $3,000 in cash prizes! “Don’t miss your chance to show off what you and your horse can do! We invite riders of all disciplines: Come out and ‘strut your stuff’, in the All Breed Challenge!” said Mr. Cloe. For a Participant Application, go to www.equinepromotions.net.
John Lyons will headline the diverse group of equine experts providing daily clinics at the Northwest Horse Fair. “We’re very excited to have John Lyons return to the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo this year!” said Mr. Cloe. “John’s name is synonymous with Natural Horsemanship, and his training abilities are second to none!” In addition to John Lyons’ clinics, expo attendees can anticipate a wide variety of presentations in a multitude of disciplines, including: Jan Ebeling conducting Dressage clinics; Julie Goodnight presenting Classic Skills for a Natural Ride; Linda Andrisani providing Hunter/Jumper clinics; Larry Whitesell and Jennifer Bauer conducting Gaited Horsemanship clinics; Jochen Schleese giving SaddleFit4LifeÒ presentations; Marvin Pierce offering Cow Dog clinics and demos; and Dana Boyd Miller of Andis Clippers, giving clipping demonstrations.
The Equine Extravaganza will kick off the festivities starting at 5pm on Thursday, March 22. An entertaining array of horses and equine performers will delight crowds with highlights of the three day Expo. Part of the fun will be provided as Los Garcias and Wolfsong present Los Caballos Friesianos, a musical performance featuring their fancy black Friesians. A mammoth draft mule hitch from Copper Windmill Ranch, will maneuver a massive wagon in the arena for the crowd’s enjoyment. And back by popular demand, FeatherDance Equine Entertainment will present a special all new program entitled If Wishes Were Horses. This dynamic equine theater production will include liberty work, Dressage, trick training and in-hand exhibitions. These features are just a sample of what’s in store in this enchanting evening of equine entertainment. Then rounding out the evening, spectators can root for their favorite horse/rider teams in the first round of the All Breed Challenge, as this exciting competition gets underway!
The Breed Showcase and Stallion Reviews will provide a unique blend of horse breeds, highlighting all that horses can offer, in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and abilities. Additional equine entertainment is on tap, including an exciting and educational demonstration by the Willamette Valley Team Penning Association, on Saturday afternoon. This and much more will be included in the exciting equine entertainment and education provided throughout the weekend, designed to delight horse lovers young and old!
For those who love to shop, the Northwest Horse Fair offers nearly 70,000 square feet of shopping, in two buildings brimming with booths. Vendors from all over the country will offer everything for equine enthusiasts, including trailers, feed, tack, hats, clothing for horse and rider, farm products, gifts, services and much more! It’s a horse lover’s shopping paradise!
Youth Day is Sunday March 25 at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo. All children 12 years and under get in free with a paid adult admission that day, plus 4-H and Pony Club members ages 13 to 18 get in free with their club ID cards. “We’re proud to offer Youth Day to support the future of the horse industry,” said Mr. Cloe. “We’re providing free Youth Day admission to thank the clubs that educate youth about horses, and to provide an affordable way for young people to experience our expo. We invite all young equine enthusiasts to join us for a full day of horse fun and education on Youth Day at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo!”
Applications are being accepted now for participation in the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, including trade show vendors, the Stallion Review, Breed Showcase, advertising in the event Program, sponsorships, clinic participants, and All Breed Challenge competitors. For more information go to www.equinepromotions.net.
For more information on the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, visit www.equinepromotions.net, email jjcloe@equinepromotions.net, call 765-655-2107, or follow us on Facebook.
Sponsors for the 2012 Northwest Horse Fair and Expo include: Bison Coach, the presenting sponsor; Andis; Beelart Embroidery; Coastal Farm and Ranch; Purina Mills LLC; Phoenix Inn & Suites, the hosting hotel for the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo; and Northwest Rider, the official publication for the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo.
No pets are allowed at the Northwest Horse Fair, and videotaping of any event by the public is prohibited.
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