Northwest Horse Fair & Expo starts Thursday | Events

Horses from all over the Western U.S. will gather at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany, March 19 through the 21, for the eleventh annual Northwest Horse Fair & Expo, presented by SilverLite Trailers.

Expo officials anticipate thousands of horse owners and horse lovers from Oregon and surrounding states will gather for the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo. “We have loads of activities for horse owners and horse lovers at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo.

If you enjoy horses, ride horses or wish you owned one, we have a full weekend of horse fun for you!” said John Cloe, event founder and manager. “Audiences can see captivating clinics and demonstrations by world-renowned horse trainers, one of whom has served on the U.S. Equestrian Team! Our very special Equine Extravaganza combines music and horses, action and adventure, to provide exhilarating equine entertainment designed to delight the whole family!”

EQUINE EXTRAVAGANZA – SAMPLE THE FUN!

 “Excitement is building for our “sneak peek” at the Northwest Horse Fair, in our Equine Extravaganza!” said Mr. Cloe. “This Thursday evening presentation will provide a sample of some of the fantastic entertainment we’ll offer throughout the weekend!” The Equine Extravaganza, presented by KRKT, will kick off the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo beginning at 4pm Thursday, March 18. Costumes, color, choreography, drama, and music will combine with fancy footwork, creating an awesome evening of equine entertainment.  The Silver Edge Theatrical Equestrian group will dazzle the audience with their dramatic Desert Fantasy performance, featuring magnificent costumes and awe-inspiring music. The SilverLite Drill Team will “strut their stuff” presenting lively precision drills on horseback. And the spotlight will shine on Ruben and Marco, a pair of majestic black Friesian horses from the FeatherDance BlackPearl Friesian Dance Troupe. This jazzy pair of horses will show off fantastic training, as they high step and sashay to music. These captivating horses are only part of a remarkable evening of equine entertainment!  After a brief intermission, audiences can enjoy Steve Rother presenting a special clinic, Taming the Wild Ones – Wild Mustang Handling. Steve will educate and entertain, providing a sample of more Mustang action to come during the weekend. Admission Thursday is $10/person for the Equine Extravaganza and special Steve Rother clinic. Ticket sales begin at 3pm Thursday. Cash only at the gate; no advance purchased tickets accepted that day.

EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER

While Steve Rother shows how to start training a wild Mustang Thursday evening, the action will fast forward Friday as wild Mustangs compete in a spirited competition with $7,500 in prize money on the line! Twenty –five trainers from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, have had just 90 days to train their wild Mustangs for the Extreme Mustang Makeover, organized by the Mustang Heritage Foundation. The three and four year old mustangs, gathered from wild horse herds in Oregon, will be judged on conditioning, groundwork, and a "Horse Course" that requires tricky maneuvers and includes obstacles found in trail and recreational riding situations.  The contest culminates with the Freestyle Finals on Sunday morning, when the top contestants get creative to show off their horse’s top skills for the judges. “You may see some wild stunts with these Mustangs in the Finals” said Mr. Cloe. “Creativity is encouraged, so the sky is the limit on what these trainers and horses can do!” Following the Finals, all Mustangs competing in the Extreme Mustang Makeover events will be available for adoption through a competitive bidding auction. Mr. Cloe continued, “Come out and watch these horses compete, enjoy the excitement, and pick your favorite Mustang!”

CLINICS, WORKSHOPS & DEMOS

Daily clinics will be presented by world-class clinicians including: World Champion Horse Trainer Al Dunning from Arizona, featuring clinics on Reining, Working Cow Horses and Cutting; former U.S. Equestrian Team member George Williams from Ohio presenting Dressage clinics; Nick Karazissis from California conducting Hunter/Jumper clinics; Steve Rother from Washington giving clinics on how to Excel with Horses; and Connected RidingÒ Founder Peggy Cummings from Washington providing clinics, demos and lectures on her riding methodology. Peggy will also teach a special clinic for youth, their parents and instructors, on Sunday which is LMF Feed Youth Day.

Workshops, demos and lectures are scheduled throughout the 3 day horse expo. Topics include: Ways to Improve Your Riding; Responsible Horse Ownership; Exercises to Improve Horse’s Performance; Equine Massage; Therapeutic Riding; and Horse Trailer Safety and Maintenance. There’s also an unusual 3 day progressive demo by horse clipping expert Dana Boyd Miller of Andis Clippers, as she shows how to clip a “picture” into a horse’s hair coat. As Dana’s clever clipping unfolds, she’ll fashion a work of art on the side of a horse!         

TRADE SHOW & HORSES GALORE!

A huge trade show housed in two buildings will provide a broad selection of products and services for horse and farm enthusiasts, as well as those looking for home décor and gift items. Scores of shopping booths will offer horse trailers, feed, clothing and equipment for horse and rider, equine supplies, farm products, artwork, gifts and much more!

The Breed Showcase and Stallion Reviews will represent a wide variety of domestic and foreign breeds of horses. Rugged, regal, glamorous, glossy, horses with smooth coats and curly haired horses; horses with spots, dapples, and solid colors; and horses with shimmering manes and tails…you’ll see them all at the Northwest Horse Fair! Horses will be led, ridden and driven in delightful demonstrations showing off the diversity of the equine. One of the many attractions of the weekend is an unusual sight for this day and age: an enormous Belgian draft mule team pulling a one ton wagon!

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION

Sunday at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo is “LMF Feed Youth Day”. Admission is free that day for Pony Club and 4-H members, 18 year of age and under, who show their current club ID at the entrance gate.

Advance tickets for the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo are $10 per day for adults and $5 per day for children aged 6 to 12. Tickets at the gate are $12 per day for adults and $6 per day for children 6 to 12; children 5 and under get in free. Cash only at the gate. Advance tickets are on sale at select retail outlets throughout Oregon and Washington. A complete list of ticket outlets is available at http://www.equinepromotions.net/. Advance ticket sales end Thursday March 18 at store closing time. Hours for the equine exposition are: Thursday, March 18 for the Equine Extravaganza from 4pm to 8pm; Friday, March 19 from 10am to 8pm; Saturday March 20 from 9am to 8pm; and Sunday, March 21 from 9am to 6pm.