The Northwest Horse Source’s journey with John Cloe began in March of 2000. I was a newbie in the magazine publishing business and was embarking on my very first horse expo with the magazine. It was a big adventure and a long drive—nearly seven hours to Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, Oregon to attend The Northwest Horse Fair & Expo.
John and his team put on a great show! I was delighted to see such great horse trainers as John Lyons, Susan Harris (The Visible Horse), Linda Tellington-Jones, and Clinton Anderson.
Over the years, John and his team (Lisa, Carol, and wife Judy) have always been great to work with. They run a tight ship, are very fair, and do their best to see that vendors and clinicians are happy. Over the years, I’ve admired John’s values and appreciate that he always held a church service for those away from home who wanted to worship together. He featured a variety of speakers and musicians and gave quite a few sermons himself.
I’m especially happy to share some memories about horse trainer Ken McNabb. He started out as a vendor many years ago, and asked John if he could be a clinician. Ken is a John Lyons instructor who really wanted to get his shot at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo. I remember he brought his young family every year, faithfully attending the show. Finally, John gave Ken the chance and he’s been a clinician at the Expo for many years. I have a video interview that will be available online after this article has been published. Ken gave tribute to John at the expo in 2015.
I have many fond memories of the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo. In the early years my mom would come and help watch the booth while I went out and saw vendors and took pictures. She would even help some of the vendors, like Nutrena, stuff treat packets for attendees. She always looked forward to John’s Cowboy Church. I lost my mom in 2012 and cherish the memories of those shared trips with her to the expos.
While loss is hard, the memories of good times and amazing people ease the pain of losing our dear friends and colleagues. John will be missed at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo this year. I’m glad to see it continue but will truly miss his smiling face. John’s team will still be there to make sure the 2020 Northwest Horse Fair & Expo goes off without a hitch!
All Photos by NWHS.
Excerpt from John Cloe’s obituary:
John Cloe was born on August 13, 1940 in Indianapolis to John and Dorothy Cloe. He passed away October 19, 2019.
For 36 years, John was a master farrier, graduating from North Texas Farrier School. He was a member of The Indiana Farrier’s Association since 1983. John was also a member of Indiana Quarter Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Indiana Quarter Horse Racing Association, American Paint Horse Association and the Indiana Horse Council.
John attended Oakland City College, receiving a degree in divinity. He served as Associate Pastor at Eagle Creek Friends for 10 years. John and his wife Judy own and have operated an Equine Management company for the last 28 years.
John is survived by Judy, his wife of 38 years; his sister, Sandra Ann Ault of Hartford, KY.; his son, John J. Cloe III (Mandi) of Petersburg; and his daughter, Margaret Jane “Meg” Cloe of Indianapolis. John has three stepchildren, 14 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Published in January 2020 Issue
Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages. Now 29 years later, it’s an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses!
Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.
