You might be asking yourself, “What can I get out of going to an equine expo?” My answer would be, “Everything and anything horse-related!” Where else can the casual, backyard horseman and local trainers alike come together in the same place to watch and even talk to some of the most knowledgeable equine professionals in the industry? All breeds and disciplines are represented at most of the larger expos. The disciplines are frequently intermingled. For instance, you may have a problem with your western horse, and learn how to deal with the problem from a dressage trainer! Many of the clinicians and trainers transcend disciplines, making their training principles practical for all horse people and any breed. The equine expo is an inexpensive way to learn, see new products, find local breed associations and even sample “freebies” from some of the many vendors. There always seems to be something new and different! With so much going on, it makes sense to schedule the events you want to see and fit the trade show and breed showcases in between. You will probably need all the days provided to see and do everything!

Some of the world’s most renowned clinicians and equestrian experts are featured at equine expos and fairs across America. They share their training methods and experiences with horse owners and enthusiasts alike.
There are also entertainers who wow us with their special demonstrations and fabulous horses.

Demonstrations are generally held throughout the event, including vaulting and showmanship demonstrations by local equestrians. There are informative lectures by experts on varying subjects such as conditioning, equine law, equine massage, horseshoeing, insurance, saddle-fitting, veterinary, and other subjects related to the horse. Plenty of vendor booths feature the latest equine products and services including; feed, tack, clothing for horse and rider, fencing, portable barns, trailers, trucks, jewelry, artwork and anything else you or your horse may need. Several organizations such as breed associations, clubs, specialty groups and individuals have booths, enthusiastically sharing information concerning their particular breed, discipline or club.

Most expos feature a breed showcase where many different breeds of horses are represented. Horses are frequently imported from around the world to appear at equine expos.

Although we would love to visit all the expos, we couldn’t possibly cover every equine expo and horse fair in the world, or even in the entire United States and Canada, so we thought we would give you a taste of some of the expos available in the Western United States and Western Canada:

EQUINE EXPOS & HORSE FAIRS:
(Listed by date)

FEBRUARY:

“EQUINE AFFAIRE WEST” – Pomona, California, at the Fairplex. Produced by “Equine Affaire, Inc.” and known as “The Great American Horse Exposition” who also promote expos in Columbus, Ohio in April and Springfield, Massachusetts in November. The 2005 event will host four full days of training clinics, seminars, demonstrations, trade show and breed pavilion. New this year is the “Youth Pavilion” for the young horse enthusiasts. Next year’s expo will feature an impressive line-up of talented clinicians including: Clinton Anderson, Buck Brannaman, Jan Ebeling, Charmayne James, David O’Connor, Lynn Palm and Monty Roberts, just to name a few. For more information go the website: www.equineaffair.com

“HORSE AFFAIRS” – Boise, Idaho, at the Western Idaho Fairgrounds. Produced by “Horse Affairs, Inc.” The 2005 expo is scheduled for February 18-20. The featured clinician is John Lyons, with past clinicians including, Ken McNabb, Tommie Turvey, Kathy George, Anne Reynolds, among others. This year’s Friday and Saturday evening performances of “Night of the Horse Beach Party, highlighting the trick-riding skills of Tommy Turvey, Jr. was a smash hit! For more information on the upcoming 2005 expo, visit www.horseaffairs.com.

MARCH:

“ROCKY MOUNTAIN HORSE EXPO” – Denver, Colorado at the National Western Complex. The Denver expo is held at the end of March. They also produce expos in Grand Junction and Durango, both in October. The Denver, 2004 expo featured “Fighting Ferrari” one of the horses playing “Seabiscuit” in the movie of the same name. Another equine participant was “Goliath” the tallest horse in the world, standing at 19.1 hands (or 6.5 feet at the shoulder!) owned by “Priefert Manufacturing” who tour the country with their beautiful team of dark Percherons that pull the company’s white show wagon. Featured clinicians in 2004 included: Pat & Linda Parelli, Lynn Palm, Dennis Reis, Julie Goodnight and Leon Harrel. The 4-H Horse Show Judge’s Approval Testing is also held at this expo. To learn more about the Rocky Mountain expos, visit their website, www.RockyMountainHorseExpo.com.

“NORTHWEST HORSE FAIR & EXPO” – Albany, Oregon, at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center. This year’s expo held March 19-21, was bigger and better than ever. Considered one of the largest equine expos in the West, the expo features some of the finest horses and equine professionals in the country. Always packed with interesting vendors and clinics. The event in 2005, to be held March 18-20, promises to be a great one. Among the clinicians scheduled are; Clinton Anderson and his “Downunder Horsemanship,” Van Hargis, Jane Savoie, Fran Dotoli and Steve Edwards. The “Riata Ranch Cowgirls” are scheduled to appear featuring their exciting trick riding skills.
For more information on this large expo, check out their website at: www.equinepromotions.net.

APRIL:

“EQUINE EXPERIENCE” – Paso Robles, California at the Mid-State Fairgrounds. Great setting in beautiful San Luis Obispo county on the central coast of California. There is definitely something for everyone at this horse fair. And when you are done for the day at the expo, go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery, beaches, antique stores and wineries in the area. For more information, check out the website at: www.equineexperience.com.

MAY:

“EQUIFEST” – Anchorage, Alaska at the Chamberlin Equestrian Center. This expo started in 2001, and has grown in leaps and bounds since. Originally a one-day get together for local horse people, the horse fair has grown to a two-day affair, complete with demonstrations, exhibits and vendors. There is also a horse sale, breed parade and pony rides for the kids, and the views are breathtaking! For information, call:(907) 346-1930.

JUNE:

“WESTERN STATES HORSE EXPO” – Sacramento, California at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. If you are on the West Coast in June, you don’t want to miss this one! Held the second week in June, the 2005 event will be held June 10-12. CEO Miki Cohen started the expo, after she returned from “Equitana” held in Germany in 1998. Since that time, the “Western States Horse Expo” has been billed as “The largest and most comprehensive equine exposition and trade show in North America.” Over 60,000 people attended the 2004 event. Along with the training clinics, demonstrations and trade show, this expo also features the “Magnificent 7 Stock Horse Challenge” that presents seven of the world’s most skilled horseman competing in four events; cutting, reining, steer roping and fence work, all on the same horse. Another major event at this expo is the “Western States Horse Summit” a gathering of experts and leaders from the equine trades, horse industry and the private sector, to discuss issues of importance to horsemen. The program is designed to educate horsemen to the pending and current environmental and political issues facing horse people, share ideas and communicate actions. For more information on this incredible expo, go to www.horsexpo.com 

SEPTEMBER:

“EQUIFAIR” – Calgary, Alberta Canada at the Spruce Meadows Ranch. Runs concurrently with the “Masters Horse Jumping Tournament” September 3-7, 2005. This is more of a trade show, featuring everything horse-related, including artwork, grooming equipment, fencing, horse feeds, jewelry, riding apparel and gear, tack, trailers and more. For more information go to: www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/equifair.html 

“RIDE THE WEST” ALL BREED HORSE & TRADE EXPO – Spokane, Washington at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center, held September 24-26 this year. This versatile expo highlights all disciplines from Dressage to Roping and everything in between! This one was packed full of entertainment, with training clinics, demonstrations, a large trade show and breed showcase, there is more than enough to keep everyone happy! Featured clinicians have included: Sharon Camarillo, Van Hargis, Lynn Palm, Charles Wilhelm, and more. There were trainer interviews by “The Horse Show’s” Rick Lamb, special events and prize giveaways. For more information on this expo, go to their website at: www.ridethewest.net

OCTOBER:

“THE MANE EVENT EQUINE & COUNTRY LIVING EXPO” – Chilliwack, B.C. Canada at the Heritage Park center is conveniently located just north of the Washington state border. The event held October 8-10, 2004 featured several international clinicians, including Linda Allen, Doug Mills, Lynn Palm, and April Reeves (marketing, merchandising and customer service in the horse industry). One of the goals at the Mane Event is “to bring quality education to the horse owner and enthusiast.” The popular “Stallion Alley” gave stallion owners the opportunity to showcase their best stallions to thousands of people in one place.
For more information regarding this event, see: www.tmeexpo.com

“EQUIMASTERS HORSE EXPO” – Puyallup, Washington at the Western Washington State Fairgrounds on October 9 & 10, with a special 4-hour session Friday evening the 8th, featuring Clinton Anderson, beginning with “Starting Your Horse Under Saddle”, one of his most popular clinics. Clinton Anderson will be joined by clinicians Lori Cramer: Director of the University of Findlay English Equestrian Team, Scot Hansen: teaching “Self-Defense for Trail Riders” and “Making of a Police Horse”, Sandy Howard: Dressage, Ken McNabb: “Training the People Who Train America’s Horses” and Don West: Trail Riding Clinician. “The Horse Shows” will be airing live with Rick Lamb interviewing clinicians. And of course, the popular “Breed Alley” and “Parade of Breeds” will be back this year. It’s fun for the whole family!
For more information, go to: www.equinepromotions.net

“ROCKY MOUNTAIN HORSE EXPO” – Grand Junction, and Durango, Colorado. The Grand Junction expo will be October 22-24 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, and the Durango expo will be held October 29-31 at La Plata County Fairgrounds. Both expos feature some of the same clinicians and events as the Denver show, including the appearance of “Fighting Ferrari” one of the horses starring in the movie, “Seabiscuit.”
For more information, go to the website: www.RockyMountainHorseExpo.com