RSS
Home
Western States Horse Expo
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Shanna Goodpasture aboard an Andalusian in 2006
Photo Jennifer Walker
The Western States Horse Expo, affectionately referred to as simply “Horse Expo,” takes place in June every year at Cal Expo in Sacramento. It is the trade show of trade show for horses.
Horse Expo takes over several acres of the fairgrounds with hundreds of vendors selling just about anything anyone needs for their horse and various rings for demonstrations, exhibitions and clinics with many top names like Pat Parelli, Linda Tellington-Jones, John Lyons, Charles Wilhelm, Tommy Garland and Stacy Westfall.
Friday evening, spectators are treated to the Magnificent 7 competition, where riders compete in herd work, rein work, steer stopping and fence work for the title of Magnificent 7 All-Around Stock Horse Champion and a $25,000 purse.
Saturday, the finals and sale of the Mustang Challenge take place. For the Mustang Challenge, people take on BLM http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html Mustangs and train them for a period of just over three months before Horse Expo. They get a chance to show off what they accomplished and compete for a $12,500 purse. Then, the gentled Mustangs are auctioned off to new homes.
Throughout Horse Expo, there are many different breed demonstrations to educate the public on the different breeds as well as demos on such activities as Cowboy Mounted Shooting and Combined Driving. The line-up changes a little every year, so it is always a good idea to check the schedule and plan accordingly. There is so much to see and do, many people find that getting a weekend pass is well worth the cost.
In 2009, the Western States Horse Expo takes place over the weekend of June 12 to 14. The show is open from 9:00 to 7:00 on Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. The Mustang Challenge and Magnificent 7, which require a separate admission ticket, take place at 7:30. Tickets are $18 per day for adults and $5 for kids aged seven to thirteen (six and under are free), and weekend passes can be purchased for $45. The special evening events are $15 apiece, but you can get into the Expo for free if you go in after 6:30. Parking is $10. For directions, click here.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
