NWHA National News June 2018 | Page 22

EQUINE AFFAIR COLUMBUS, OHIO Each year in April, we actively participate at Equine Affaire, a national equine exposition held in Columbus, OH. This is an excellent venue for us to showcase our wonderful breed to the public thru direct hands on interactions at the breed booths/ promotion stalls, and with under saddle demonstrations in the ring. Once again, Mid Ohio Walking Horse Association, with the invaluable work of association president Mag Ranft, did a great job promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse in breed with NWHA and TWHBEA in the breed booth/promotion stalls, and wonderfully choreographed under saddle exhibitions. Mag Ranft arranged for a total of 16 horses to represent the breed. There were 11 horses for 4 separate under saddle demonstrations and breed booth/promotional stalls, and another 5 horses dedicated for the breed booth/ promotional stalls. There were also 2 in- hand demonstrations with public Q&A. Along with the horses, came the owners from states including Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee and North Carolina; and trainers Jim Potter and Kyle Elliott from Ohio, and Mikal Spooner from North Carolina. 22 NWHA National News / June 2018 Also excellent youth representation this year with 4 youth riders who did a great job promoting the TWH. The weather this year was beautiful for most of the event. Sunday the rains came, but an advantage to lousy weather outside is more horse lovers inside to shop, attend clinics, learn about different breeds and clubs...and most importantly, learn about NWHA and TWHBEA along with wonderful sound, flat shod Tennessee Walking Horse!! Owners, trainers and volunteers worked hard all weekend to display the horses, answer questions and promote the breed to so many of the 300,000 to 400,000 folks who attended Equine Affair each year. It was a great opportunity to share the multiple aspects and opportunities with a TWH from rail to trail, to connect with fellow TWH lovers from many states...and promote our Ohio shows!! Many, many thanks to all of those who helped in front and behind the scenes and to our TWHBEA friends who shared the aisle. Special thanks Stacey Hotchkiss for once again performing her magic on the under saddle demo scripts, and to Allison Thorson for the great music compilation for the under saddle demos.