Supercharge Your Dreams at Premier Equine Event
by Catherine Madera and Kathy Sulla
February is one of those in between months. Stuck between the dead of winter and the first thoughts of spring February is, for some of us, appreciated for one day of “love,” and its brevity. It’s certainly an in between period of time for many horsemen and women, day dreaming about sunny trails as they wait out the cold, dark days of winter. This year, instead of languishing “in between,” why not head to the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield, WA February 19-21 and super charge your riding dreams and goals?
The Washington State Horse Expo has become the Northwest’s premier equine event featuring nationally recognized clinicians and trainers, clinics, educational seminars, the Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Race, over 100 commercial vendors and the ever-popular Saturday Night Extravaganza. Last year 7,500 people enjoyed an inspiring time at this quality event.
This year promises to be just as good and 2016 clinicians include RFD-TV stars Julie Goodnight and Craig Cameron, along with Multi-National Finals Rodeo qualifier Sharon Camarillo, Grand Prix Freestyle Championship winner Jessica Wisdom, International Level National Working Equitation Champion Chesna Klimek, two-time winner of the prestigious Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge Steve Rother, reining expert Kyle Kellmer and working equitation clinician Rob Zimmerman.
Pre expo activities begin with a two-day Sharon Camarillo Horsemanship for Better Barrel Racing Clinic on the 17th and 18th. This comprehensive program is designed to strengthen each student’s existing horsemanship skills and leave each rider with a personal plan for faster times and enhanced barrel racing performances. The Expo itself kicks off on Friday at 12:00pm with a Breed Parade and continues through Sunday with various demos, clinics, seminars and performances. Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race preliminaries will occur on Friday and Saturday. The top seven finishers plus one wild card team will advance to the finals on Sunday.
In addition to the top-notch clinicians that will be featured, show-goers will be treated to demos by cow dog trainer Marvin Pierce, the equestrian magic of Morgan Wagner and Endo the Blind Horse, mounted archers, a special mule demonstration, working equitation speed round, performances by the Black Pearl Friesian Dance Troup, drill teams and more.Various seminars will be presented in the classroom as well and over 100 commercial vendors will be on hand selling everything from bridles to wheelbarrows.
The popular Saturday Night Equine Extravaganza, produced by Dr. Meg Brinton will feature performances by the clinicians and show participants, the Black Pearl Friesian Dance Troup, Francesca and the Tiny Trio and much more. The Extravaganza is a must-see for anyone who loves horses.
New this year to The WA State Horse Expo is an exciting program to connect people in the horse community — Horse Tales. This is an opportunity for business people, trainers and clubs to tell their story and share their unique passion with others. The new program includes “Show and Tell,” where individuals have 5-10 minutes to present their horse tale in the Exhibition Hall’s main arena between each clinic. This is followed by a “Meet and Greet” and each participant will have 25 minutes to meet potential new customers and answer questions. For information on how to participate in Horse Tales contact Lynn Jenkins at 360-773-7513 or [email protected].
Are you stuck in between horses, disciplines or just need a reminder of all the reasons to love life with horses? Come to the WA State Horse Expo and get busy dreaming.
The WA State Horse Expo is located at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds: 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. The hours are Friday, February 19th: 12:00pm – 9:00pm; Saturday, February 20th: 9:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday, February 21st: 9:00am – 6:00pm. For more information please visit www.wastatehorseexpo.com or call: (360)397-6180.
Published in January 2016 Issue
Catherine Madera served as editor of the Northwest Horse Source for five years. She has written for numerous regional and national publications and is a contributing writer for Guideposts Magazine and the author of four equine-related books. She has two grown children and lives with her husband and three horses in Northwest Washington.
