Washington State Horse Expo Recap

The weekend of February 18th found horse enthusiasts from all over the region enjoying clinicians such as Julie Goodnight and Craig Cameron. Among the other featured headliners were Mark Bolender, Steve Rother, Barb Apple, Jessica Wisdom, Rob Zimmerman, Susan Kirk, Danny Kroetch, Jon Ensign, Missy Wryn, Randy Byers, Jamie Thomas, Sue Emerson, DVM, Mackie Hartwig DC, Mary Ann Simonds, Ren Bannerman, Julia Kubicek, Maggie Metzker and Polly Klein. It was a weekend packed with great information and entertainment.

The Saturday evening show featured “The Lords of the Ring” and other equine stars from across the country. To start the evening off was the local color guard featuring Vancouver Rodeo Queen, Courtney MisKell, followed by the BlackPearl Friesian Dance Troupe. It was a stunning performance of beautiful black steeds performing several dressage moves and tricks. There was a rare breed demonstration of Black Forest Horses owned by Ursula and Vic Sivitilli of Black Forest Stables. The story of the Black Forest Horses is featured on our February cover. Read more….

Other highlights included: Steve Rother performing “Doma Vaquera,” Friesian Pas Des Deux and Lighted Friesians both performed by the BlackPearls, Mark Bolender and Jessica Wisdom facing off in a dual between western and English riding, Randy Byers performing Western Dressage, The Latigo and Lace Drill Team in a stunning performance, Pedro Munoz Sanchez riding a 5-year-old Azteca stallian named Quervo, and Country Poetry read by Don Hanley.

The entire weekend was a success for both vendors and attendees. It was busy every day, booths were buzzing with excitement as people perused everything from saddles to jewelry. There were a variety of clinics and seminars, shopping, demos, and all things for horse and rider. I was truly impressed with the number of people that came to the first Washington State Horse Expo. Maryjo Turnbull, the event coordinator, did a great job with an inspired team of volunteers who worked hard all weekend to keep things moving smoothly.

At the Northwest Horse Source Booth we held a drawing and gave away horse products, donated by Absorbine, Omega Fields, Elenbaas Equiscience and Spalding Labs. It was great fun! Congratulations to our Saturday winner, Bridgett Zahniser, and Sunday’s winner, Patti Shannon.

Be sure and mark your calendars for February 17-19, 2012. For more details visit www.wastatehorseexpo.com