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Horse Enthusiasts Ignore Mother Nature to Attend Mane Event

April 25, 2008

Red Deer, AB --- Recent heavy snowfalls in Alberta didn’t deter thousands of horse enthusiasts from lining up in unprecedented numbers to take in the first day of The Mane Event Equine Education and Trade Fair at Red Deer’s Westerner Park. And there was standing room only at the arenas and demonstration areas as attendees took the opportunity to access the expertise of some of the world’s top horsemen and horsewomen.

“We’ve been really well received. People are really friendly and very excited about the information,” said NRHA reining champion Stacy Westfall, who is making her first appearance in Western Canada and is one of the clinicians filling the stands at the Event. Renowned for her bridle-less freestyle riding, Westfall said she is trying to cover a lot of topics in her clinics over the 2 and a half days of the event. “ I’ve broken it down into lots of steps and stuff that I know that a lot of people get a lot out of,” she said.

The crowd favourite Trainer’s Challenge got underway with Jon Ensign from Montana entering the round pen first with Jose, the two-year-old unbroken filly that he will work with over the next two days. Craig Cameron from Texas, and defending champion, Steve Rother of Oregon also took their turn with the horses they are paired with. “I think that they each presented their training styles very well to the audience,” said Bob Kaufman, who is judging his first Trainers Challenge. “I think the information presented by all three is very valuable to the people attending here.”

Joining Kaufman at the judges’ table are well-known Alberta horsemen Mel Hyland and Ron Hoffman. “These three trainers all have a little different style, all very professional. I was very impressed with what they got done. I think it’s a close race at this point in time,” said Hoffman.

Show organizers said attendance on the first day was about 12,000, which is about half the attendance for the entire 3 days of last year’s show. “The interest in all that the Mane Event is offering is just astounding,” said show organizers.

“People around here obviously love everything equine, and are looking for education and information. We are happy we can bring it to them.”

A full slate of clinics and presentations is again on Saturday’s schedule. The day ends with the Equine Experience, a showcase of equine entertainment including demonstrations by Jonathan Field, dressage demonstration by Rebecca Cade, equestrian vaulting and mini chuckwagon races. The equine trade fair, with over 400 booths, is open throughout the entire 2 ½ days of the Event. It features tack, trailers, clothing for both rider and horse, plus supplements, barns, equipment and accessories.

For complete information about the Mane Event visit www.maneeventexpo.com

Listen to commentary of the Trainers Challenge and other happenings during Day One at the Mane Event Expo through the Equinely-Inclined! podcast: Episode 28a.

You can also stay in touch with the happenings at the Mane Event Expo through text messages to your cell phone by following Canada Equine ...On-Line on Twitter.

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