December 30, 2009 — The eighth annual Pennsylvania Horse World Expo will bring the nation’s leading equestrian clinicians and entertainers, and tens of thousands of horse owners eager to learn from them, to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, for four days of education, entertainment and shopping, February 25-28, 2010.
The Horse World Expo is two events in one–the expo itself that focuses on training riders to train their own horses, and Theatre Equus, a musical equine revue, a professionally choreographed and scripted show in which humans and horses partner to perform remarkable feats of daring and beauty.
Many of the country’s most accomplished horse trainers present seminars on training by day, and dazzle audiences by night (Friday and Saturday only) with their amazing performances in Theatre Equus. Among them are:
- Trick trainer, movie trainer, stuntman and “Equine Extremist” Tommie Turvey, Jr., whose horses trust him so completely they accomplish dangerous stunts no other horse trainer has attempted. Those amazed by Turvey’s performance during Theatre Equus can, during his Pennsylvania Horse World Expo seminar, watch him teach his horses to do tricks like lying relaxed on their backs, feet in the air, before crowds of thousands.
- Stacy Westfall, the only freestyle reiner ever to compete without saddle or bridle, and the 2006 winner of and only woman ever to compete in the Road to the Horse colt starting competition.
- Matt McLaughlin, former head trainer for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallion Show and U.S. Dressage Federation silver medalist, who also performs a “top hat and tails” show during Theatre Equus.
Also on the Horse World Expo schedule are top national trainers Craig Cameron, Kenny Harlow, Bob Jeffreys, Suzanne Sheppard, Steuart Pittman and Kenny Harlow, among others.
Returning to Horse World Expo for the third year is the Wind Rider Equestrian ChallengeT, presented by Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard. The challenge is open to riders ages 14 and older from all disciplines. Riders will be presented with challenges such as jumping a 2-foot jump, trotting or gaiting while balancing an object in one hand, and backing through and around barrels. The three top scoring participants will draw straws to be paired with a national clinician, to ride as teams for the title of Wind Rider Champion.
In addition to top equestrian clinicians and performers, the expo will feature hundreds of vendors and equines of all breeds and disciplines. Vendors will fill more than 500 booths and 180,000 square feet of exhibit space. Visitors can learn about a variety of breeds during the daily Parade of Breeds, and meet breeding stallions up close in Stallion Avenue.
Equestrian Promotions also produces the Maryland Horse World Expo, held January 21-24 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
For more information, visit www.horseworldexpo.com.
