Live demonstrations, seminars, vendors, kid’s activities, entertainment, beautiful horses and much more are featured at the event
RIDGEFIELD – The 11th Annual Washington State Horse Expo is coming up fast. This is one of the top equine events in the Northwest that attracts horse enthusiasts from all over the Western United States. The Horse Expo features national experts, amazing first-class entertainment, premier vendors, plenty of shopping, and kid-friendly activities too. It’s the horse enthusiast’s event of the year.
The Washington State Horse Expo will be held at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds this March 4, 5 and 6. Pre-sale tickets are available online or at Participating Wilco stores. https://www.washingtonstatehorseexpo.com/showinfo
Meet the Clinicians featured at this year’s Horse Expo: See the nationally ranked clinicians and equine celebrities in action at the Washington State Horse Expo. Watch a live demonstration or attend a seminar. There is something for everyone at the 2022 Horse Expo.
• Richard Winters: For almost four decades Richard Winters has been pursuing and perfecting the art of horsemanship. Among his many accolades, Richard won the NRCHA World Championship in 2005 and took top honors at the Road to the Horse Colt Starting Championship in 2009. He was also a top-five finalist at the Cowboy Dressage World Finals and the author of From Rider to Horseman, published in 2016 by Western Horseman Magazine. In 2017 Richard accepted the invitation to be the “Director of Horse Program” at the historic and prestigious Thacher School in Ojai, California where he served as the Horse Program Director for two years.
• Megan Pugh: Megan began riding seriously at the age of 12 and has since trained with and ridden under the direction of Conrad Schumacher, Lilo Fore, Debbie McDonald, Carrie Harnden, Sue Curry, Reta Conner, Christophe Theallet, and Alfredo Hernandez. She has ridden dressage from Training through to Grand-Prix and is not only a successful Rider, Trainer, Teacher, but has also completed the USDF L program and is continuing and pursuing the judging ladder. She is the founder of Turning Point Equestrian, a successful Training and Lesson Program where Megan has put together a Team of Dressage riders from Multiple backgrounds, levels, and talents. The Philosophy Megan brings to her teaching and riding is to “Ride well and find the exhale.” This means she emphasizes the importance of the rider’s position being clear and committed so that they can most positively influence the horse.
• Steve Rother. Steve is one of the country’s top horsemanship clinicians. He has traveled across the country over the span of multiple decades building his knowledge of horses and finding ways to impart that wisdom to the hundreds of people who look to him for guidance each year. Steve has created many horsemanship programs that help any horse and rider build their confidence together. His Excel with Horses program has helped people create stronger relationships with their horses and gives people the tools they need to work through any problem they may encounter. The methods he uses and teaches work for all breeds, within all disciplines, and he is dedicated to helping every rider, no matter their level of experience, get the partnership that they truly want with their horse.
• Robert Eversole: Internationally recognized clinician, keynote speaker, riding instructor, and author of the best-selling book “The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping”, Robert “the TrailMeister” coaches horse owners of every experience level on how to enjoy trail riding and camping with equines. Robert’s passion is providing educational and entertaining clinics to help horse owners move past their fears and on to their ambitions and dreams of trail riding and horse camping. TrailMeister clinics are filled with practical, workable information that every rider and camper can use. Clinic attendees will leave with the tools and confidence they need to enjoy the great outdoors safely. Robert helps riders realize their goals.
• Caeli Cavanagh: Caeli’s love of liberty work started with the North American Apassionata tour, where she performed with Icelandic Horses and loved to watch the liberty teams in the show. Upon returning home, she developed her own style and techniques of liberty training based on equine learning theory and behavior. She has performed in various exhibitions around the United States as well as being a featured performer at large expos in Iceland, including Laufskalarett and Landsmot. In her riding career Caeli was the third American to ever attend Holar University College’s Bachelor’s program in Riding and Riding Instruction, as well as one of only three Americans with a Level 3 International Training and Teaching Certification from FEIF, the international Icelandic Horse association.
More entertainment at the Washington State Horse Expo
Spectators will be treated to amazing performances during the 2022 Saturday Night Extravaganza featuring our Clinicians and special guests Sat., March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall. Seating opens at 6 p.m. Admission requires a separate ticket and must be purchased in order to see the Extravaganza.
Visit: www.ClarkCoEventCenter.com to buy Extravaganza Tickets.
Meet Jessica Abatie at the show
Jessica has worked with some of the best in the business in several areas of horsemanship and has recognized the importance of timing not only in starting colts, but to liberty & timed events as well. Some of Jessica’s top achievements have led her to the top in Western Horseman of Oregon, Extreme Cowboy Racing, Makeover competitions, barrel races and Omoksee’s, winning a multitude of titles, saddles and arena records. Jessica’s ability to coach horses and riders has also brought them success in the arena as well.
Internationally known duo Morgan Wagner and Endo, her 17-year-old Appaloosa, demonstrate more than riding and liberty – they have mastered the art of teamwork. Endo is completely blind. Due to painful recurrent uveitis, also known as moon blindness, Endo had to have his eyes removed when he was twelve. Initially Endo had one eye removed, but it became obvious that his second eye would have to be removed as well. Knowing this, Morgan began working with him before he was completely blind. She started switching him to voice commands and blindfolding him while asking him to move forward and trust her. Morgan and Endo, Eugene Oregon residents, have become an inspiration for people worldwide.
See The Gypsy Chyx at the Horse Expo. This small group of “Gypsy” women has become friends through their common love and passion for the wonderful Gypsy and Drum horse breed. Gypsy and Drum horses are a unique breed in many ways. They are a relatively new breed to our country and were first imported into the United States from the United Kingdom in 1996. See them perform with this exciting breed at the show.
Draft Horse Exhibition: Draft Horses were bred to be working animals for pioneer-era industries such as agriculture, large-scale excavation, mining, logging, road construction and building of railways. The average Draft Horse weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and stands about six feet high. Draft Horses also served extensively during both World War I & World War II to transport larger guns and heavy wagons. See these beautiful horses in the Dr. Jack Giesy Equestrian Arena.
Don’t miss the Rother Ranch Race. This exciting event is part trail course and part race and features some of the best horsemanship you’ll see during the Washington State Horse Expo.
Rother Ranch Race Schedule:
• Friday 11:00 am – Preliminary Race Round 1
• Saturday 11:00 am – Preliminary Race Round 2
• Sunday 10:30 am – Final Race Round, Top 10 Riders from the Preliminary Race Rounds
1st Annual Mechanical Bull Contest: Calling all contestants, here’s your chance to compete, have some fun and finally show that mechanical bull who is boss. Contestants will pay a $20 entry fee to test their bull riding skills. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Admission to the Expo will be free after 5:00pm. The contest runs from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Beaches Restaurant will be serving food and beverages out of the Expo Chuckwagon, DJ Glenn will supply the music, and the vendor marketplace will be open for shopping.
Vendors Galore: The Marketplace at the Expo features dozens of vendors selling products and services for your equine pleasure, plus farm equipment, educational materials, tack, accessories, clothing, home goods, and so much more.
Marketplace Hours (UPDATED):
• Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sat. 9a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Sun. 10a.m.-4 p.m.
Horse Expo Specifics:
• Adult Admission (16+): $11
• Senior Admission: (62+): $9
• Youth Admission: (7-15): $9 (Sunday Family Day – Youth 7-15 enjoy free admission all-day)
• Children 6 and under are Free with an adult
• No 3-day passes will be sold at the gate.
• Parking: $6.00
• Saturday Night Extravaganza $10 (Does not include admission to the Horse Expo).
• NOTE: Pets are NOT allowed. Certified Service Animals, leashed, identified and specific to aiding disabled persons according to ADA regulations are welcomed. For the safety of the public, the horses and your pets, please do not bring them with you – leave them home where they will be safe. Thank you for your understanding.
• Visit: http://www.clarkcoeventcenter.com for more info
Buy your tickets (early) at these participating Wilco Stores: Yakima, Bremerton, Battle Ground, Vancouver, Kelso, Gig Harbor, Oregon City, Puyallup, Lake Oswego, Cornelius.
