2 - April - 2024 www . wsca . org WSCA Digital Spotlight
Come Ride with Us at the 42 nd Minnesota Horse Expo April 26-28 at the MN State Fairgrounds
In its 42nd year , the Minnesota Horse Expo brings together horses from many different breeds , educational presentations with horse trainers and other equine professionals , booths with horse related merchandise , a huge used tack sale , and free horse , pony and wagon rides at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds . Plan on coming April 26-28 . The parking ’ s free at the Fairgrounds and there ’ s plenty of fair food to sample .
The horses are the focus with the noon-time Parade of Breeds , Friday and Saturday afternoon Breed Demonstrations , followed by the Stallion Presentations . The Horse Barn is decorated and owners are eager to answer questions and tell you about their particular horse . Breeds you may not be familiar with that will be at Expo 2024 include the Sulphur Springs and Kiger Mustangs . Stalled nearby will be Friesians , Gypsy Vanners , Icelandics , Peruvians , Norwegian Fjords , Tennessee Walking Horses and many more .
Warwick Schiller , a lifelong equestrian , will be at Expo all three days doing arena demos and talks . Even before the Expo starts , Warwick will hold a Masterclass , Thursday April 25 , in the Compeer Arena from 9am to 4pm . Cost to audit the Masterclass is $ 30 . For details on Warwick both during Expo and the Masterclass the day before , visit www . mnhorseexpo . org
Internationally known gaited horse clinician , Jennifer Bauer , will shed some light on riding , groundwork , tack and equipment for breeds that gait . Tiffany Stauffer will focus on liberty training for the everyday horseman and starting new horses at liberty . Christine Drentwett , a principal rider in the Dream Horse Journey show at this year ’ s Expo , will explain the Spanish art form of La Garrocha - riding with a 13-foot-long lance , as well as the movements associated with classical dressage .
Daily talks in the DNR Building during Expo include an overview of equine eye conditions , trailer talk and customizing your horse ’ s ride , as well as presentations by Heather Sharp , author of Never Dull ! a memoir of her family and rodeo back in the 60 ’ s . For schedule details and more about this year ’ s presenters visit www . mnhorseexpo . org before or pick up a free MN Horse Expo program at any of the entrances when you come .
The exciting , fast paced Driving Derby returns to Expo in the Coliseum - twice each day . Pick your favorites and see who clears the obstacles cleanly , careening around them , trying to make the best time . If traditional carriage driving with a touch of elegance is to your liking , visit Compeer Arena each day at noon for an explanation of driving and turnout .
The Midwest Extreme Obstacle Association is presenting a clinic combined with a competition each morning in the Compeer Arena . Watch as the association riderss explain and teach technique and then invite themselves and some of the breed horses at Expo to give the course a try .
The Northern Lights Versatility Ranch Horse Association each afternoon brings accomplished trainer and competitor Christy Steed to help Expo-goers discover ranch horse cutting , ranch riding , working ranch horse reining and ranch trail . Sponsored by the National Cutting Horse Association , Christy and the NLVRHA riders will work with a mechanical flag , not real cows , to get their horses ready for competition .
The fast-paced Lockstep Riding Company drill team will thrill several times a day in the Coliseum and also explain all about drill in an hour-long presentation .
A Dream Horse Journey is a special forty-five-minute show at this year ’ s Expo Asteri Equine and the Blue Horse Theatre will take you on a beautiful , dreamlike journey through the fantastical world of horses . Experience classic European breeds like Andalusians and Friesians together with Blue Horse Theatre &# 39 ; s Nokota horses in this amazing show that combines art , music , and dance with excellent horsemanship at the highest level .
Vendors from all over the United States will move in , ready to sell and tell you about their product or service in the Cattle Barn , Sheep and Poultry Barn , Coliseum Concourse and Miracle of Birth Building . It might take two or all three Expo days to take it all in !
The cowboys and cowgirls come to Expo Friday and Saturday to compete in the 7:30pm PRCA seven event rodeo performances in the Coliseum . Expo goers can purchase their rodeo tickets ahead of time online along with their Expo tickets or wait and buy them in the Coliseum box office at Expo . Bethany and Rider Kiesner will provide trick riding , rope twirling , whip cracking entertainment with ‘ Funny Man ’ Jesse Larson doing the rodeo clowning .
Featured at Expo 2024 are the free horse rides , along with the free pony rides , both in the spacious Sheep Barn . Outside on Judson Avenue , not one but two teams of draft horses will provide wagon rides for young and old . In the Dairy Building , the MN Youth Horse Association runs one of the largest used tack , clothing , horse equipment and memorabilia sales in the region .
For all the info about their new online digital consigning , visit www . mntackswap . com .
Whether you own horses now , used to in the past , just like being around them or have an itch to get back in the saddle , don ’ t miss this year ’ s Horse Expo April 26-28 at the MN State Fairgrounds . Sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council , there ’ s something to learn , see , buy , marvel at and experience at the Expo .
Advance tickets for the Expo are available to purchase at www . mnhorseexpo . org . Rodeo admission is in addition to Expo admission and rodeo tickets can also be purchased in advance on the Expo website . Both rodeo and Expo tickets will be available at the gates during the event . Call 952-356-2029 or email Kathy @ mnhorseexpo . org for more information .