8th Annual Western States Horse Expo Best Ever
Equestrian News Release
“I’m very excited about how great this year’s Horse Expo was,” grins Western States Horse Expo President Miki Cohen. “I have to agree with all the people who said it was the best ever. We’re extremely proud of our sponsors, exhibitors, clinicians, speakers, sale horse staff, office personnel --- everyone who made this Expo a truly extraordinary event.
“I think horse expositions are critical for the growth of the horse industry,” Cohen continues. “People new to horses, as well as those who have had horses for years, find a whole world of fabulous opportunities at our expo --- from education to disciplines to products.”
Thousands of horse enthusiasts poured through the main gate at the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento, California during the three-day expo in June. They funneled through four huge buildings that housed over 500 retail exhibitors, then spilled out onto the concourse of 11 acres of trailers, six arenas hopping with demonstrations, breed exhibits, horse sales, full-size barns, the Magnificent 7 stock horse competition, acres of tractors and trucks, and the Extreme Cowboy Race.
Mature olive trees shaded young buckaroos as they fingerpainted live Arabian horses (all grey, of course --- the perfect “canvas” for the artists!). The boys boldly splashed hands full of paint on the horses, while most of the little cowgirls daintily dipped individual fingers into the paints and carefully scrolled their art on the horses.
A diversity of headliners captivated audiences with their skills. Cutting horse legend Leon Harrel convinced the audience that everyone --- without exception --- could achieve cutting horse success. He even had his ten-year-old grandson, Peyton, demonstrate the art of cutting while riding bareback and bridleless!
Clinician Chris Cox proved his indomitable spirit. A few days before the Expo Chris was injured while riding, but called the Expo office from his hospital bed right after surgery, assuring the Expo that he’d be there. And indeed, he wow’ed audiences with his superb ability to teach while his assistant followed his directions on horseback.
Dressage star Steffen Peters, who won the Bronze at the 1996 Olympics and the Team Silver in Germany in 2003, captured the audience’s respect and awe as he shared his secrets to success in the choreographed art of dressage.
Expo attendees sat riveted as Craig Cameron demonstrated his colt starting expertise, showing people how foundation work can be done in a calm and non-defensive way. Clinicians Monty Roberts, Vitor Silva, Van Hargis, Lynn Palm, Nicole Carswell, Raye Lochert, Brenda Imus, Richard Winters, Bob Avila, Richard Shrake, Ariana Strozzi, Kristi Redd, Dan Weltner, Jec Ballou, and Deborah Johnson shared their knowledge about fields that ranged from evaluating performance horses to sidesaddle to trailer loading.
Lecturers, including an impressive list of veterinarians, covered a myriad of topics, including saddle fitting, equine dentistry, horse camping, back country emergencies, the navicular horse, first aid horse care, building a barn, clipping, hock problems, Chinese veterinary medicine, and cooking over a campfire ---- along with a huge range of other subjects.
Breed demonstrations were highlighted by riders in handsome, even exotic, costumes. The breeds ranged from the domestic horses loved by all, to new and relatively unknown breeds such as the Brazilian Pega Mule and the Mangalarga Marchador horses. It would be hard to name a breed that wasn’t represented at the Expo!
A new event sparked adrenaline rushes in contestants and audience alike. “I’m so proud that the Extreme Cowboy Race agreed to bring their contest from Texas to the Expo,” says Miki Cohen. “Our attendees went nuts when they watched those cowgirls and cowboys go flying over that challenging course ---- especially the water obstacle where they had to plunge in, scamper through the water, then climb a steep hill, only to race through two more water obstacles just like that! The water was flying everywhere, even on the audience!” Hosted by Craig Cameron, the Extreme Cowboy Race had a total of 38 contestants who took their job seriously of getting their steeds over, under and through obstacles (including cattle work and jumping barrels) at a breathtaking gallop speed to glean the title of Extreme Cowboy. The entire contest will be aired on RFD-TV in 2007, highlighted by the winning contestant, Bob Banks from Oregon.
Friday night’s attendees were entertained by the Magnificent 7 finalists as they competed in reining, cutting, fence work and steer stopping to claim the title of Magnificent 7 champion. The event, sponsored by Horse & Rider Magazine, paid a $25,000 purse to owners of Light N Fine (ridden by Bob Avila), the Rhodes River Ranch. The excitement of the evening was heightened when horseman extraordinaire Benny Guitron and Expo President Miki Cohen honored Bill Lefty with a “cowboy nod” and a “tip of the Stetson” for his lifetime contributions to the horse world. Emotions ran high when Guitron presented Bill Lefty with a limited-edition sterling bit crafted by Guitron. Lefty, whose name is synonymous with quality horse sales, started the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity sale, and is responsible for starting the premium horse sale at the Horse Expo and the Magnficent 7 competition.
The Premium Horse Sale, attended by hundreds of prospective buyers, featured Quarter Horses and Paints on Saturday and Arabian and Morgan breeds on Sunday. The top selling Quarter Horse sold for $9,500, with an $8,300 average for the top selling five Paints and Quarter Horses (top 20 averaged $6,098). The top selling Arab was actually a half-Arabian Palomino mare who sold for $6,850. The top five Arabians and Morgans averaged $5,950.
The Saturday Evening Showcase was a potpourri of expertise, costumes, glitter and grit. A river of American flags fluttered past the crowd as the California Cowgirls cantered through their drill patterns. Then the jousters jousted on their powerful steeds, the Arabian calcutta was judged by an enthusiastic audience, North American pairs driving champions Fritz and Phyllis Grupe thrilled attendees and Leon Harrel brought the crowd to a standing ovation with his bridless/bareback demonstration of cutting ---- the list of attractions goes on and on. The finale, however, was truly a showstopper: Priefert Texas Thunder Hitch (a 6-up Percheron wagon) driver Jason Goodman rode two of those huge, handsome black horses Roman style while driving a pair of Priefert Percherons in front of him! Talk about talent!
All eyes were riveted on presenter Miki Cohen as she shared with Saturday night’s audience the 2006 inductee into the Western States Horse Expo Hall of Fame. “Even though he can’t attend this evening,” she spoke, “this year’s Hall of Fame inductee, Pat Parelli, proudly presents his acceptance speech.” Then a video image of Pat Parelli, renowned internationally for his natural horsemanship program, appeared on an enormous video screen in the corner of the arena. “It gives me great pride to be inducted alongside such great horsemen as Ray Hunt, Frank Vessels and Dr. Robert Miller,” said Parelli, “and I want to thank everyone for this great honor.”
“We took a deep breath for a day or two after the Expo,” says Miki Cohen. “And now we’re brainstorming to make next year’s event even more exciting and informative for our audience. Our passion is horses, and we’re so proud that the very best of the world of horses is right here at the Western States Horse Expo.”
The 2007 Horse Expo is scheduled for June 8-10 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. For more information, visit http://www.horsexpo.com or call 800/352-2411.
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