Pomona, CA – January 13, 2012 - The brand new Horse Expo Pomona, Thursday-Saturday, February 2-4 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, started with a spark, a clean slate, lots of ideas, and has now exploded into what promises to be a stellar event.
“Choosing the line-up of clinicians was particularly fun,” states Miki Cohen, Founder and President of Horse Expo Pomona. “Our team has over a decade of experience with presenting the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, and we’ve definitely learned what our audience wants to see. Attendees range from professionals, competitors, new horse owners, to people who have encountered problems and need advice or want to advance their horsemanship and riding skills. Keeping all that in mind when selecting clinicians, we’ve brought the best in the business to Horse Expo Pomona.”
For the price of admission (only $15 with Expo Buck discount found at www.horseexpoevents.com in the Tickets section), attendees can choose from a huge array of top professionals who represent a broad spectrum of topics. Only $15 to see all these professionals, shop at an “equestrian shopping mecca,” meet book authors, marvel at the Project Cowboy competition, eat good corn dogs, admire a variety of horse breeds, enjoy the Young Riders Park — and so much more!
“We’re proud to report that our Horse Expo in Sacramento was the launching point for many of these now-famous clinicians,” continues Cohen. “Some have come full circle and are featured at our new Horse Expo Pomona. I’m glad to say that Pat Parelli appeared over 12 years ago at Sacramento, and now he’s going to knock your socks off at Pomona.”
Linda and Pat Parelli, highly regarded for their development of Natural Horsemanship, will appear for the first presentation in a long time at any expo outside their own members-only tours. Over the years the Parellis have created a program that’s based on understanding the nature and psychology of horses. “I’m really pleased to be at Pomona,” states Pat Parelli, “where we can show the audience how much our method has evolved over the years. Our method lets everyone, from all skills levels and disciplines, to achieve success without force, dominance, fear, or intimidation.” Linda Parelli is renowned for her jumping and dressage ability, applying the Parelli principles to both of these disciplines. Linda has also developed a means of assessing horse personalities that helps the rider/handler understand why the individual horse does what he does through an evaluation process called “Horsenality.”
Richard Winters is at home both in the competition arena and with putting on a microphone and addressing a crowd of horse enthusiasts. His expertise in reined cow horse work is reflected in his NRCHA and Road to the Horse championships, as well as a list of other wins. “I love competing,” says Winters, “and I also love teaching people — whether it’s basic horsemanship or winning skills in competition.”
Kerry Kuhn has spent his life starting colts, working cattle, competing in rodeo, and training racehorses. His approach to horsemanship is based on what’s going on in the horse’s mind. Proud of his three colt-starting championships, Kuhn also travels the country giving riding clinics. Even though his championships and clinics are staged in arenas, “I believe in training as much as possible outside of the arena, using natural terrain to teach the horse,” reports Kuhn.
Known as “8” to the horse world, Eitan Beth-Halachmy brings a polished and entertaining approach to “Cowboy Dressage,” a sparkling and engaging presentation of combining traditional Western riding and classical dressage. “I remember watching Eitan at the very first evening performance in Sacramento in 1989,” smiles Cohen, “when he rocked the audience and they could hardly wait to give him a standing ovation!” Since then, Eitan and his Morgan stallion Santa Fe Renegade have appeared at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany and Kentucky.
German competitor Dr. Christian Schacht will enthrall dressage enthusiasts with his knowledge of riding and judging dressage. A noted author, Schacht also breeds sporthorses, Trakehners and Oldenburgs. In addition to dressage, Schacht has trained and competed horses in eventing and show jumping up to Prix St. George.
Charles Wilhelm is a trainer and clinician who believes that “It’s Never Ever the Horse’s Fault.” He understands why riders are often fearful, and he’s developed clinics around building confidence for the beginning and returning rider. “I am a firm believer that the person needs to learn right alongside the horse,” Wilhelm says, “and that you need to take whatever length of time it takes to overcome fear. It may take a day, it may take a year. But being safe and gaining knowledge with each moment you’re with the horse is an important process. Our end goal is to have a happy, confident rider and a solid horse.”
Hunter/jumper enthusiasts are bound to flock to Nick Karazissis clinics during the expo. Karazissis is a USEF R judge and has conducted clinics throughout the United States for the past 25 years. “When I’m not judging or giving clinics,” reports Karazissis, “I like to donate my time in helping with the governance of the sport. I’m involved with CPHA, PCHA, USHJA, and of course the USEF.”
Knowing how popular gaited breeds have become in the past few years, Horse Expo Pomona invited renowned gaited horseman and trainer Larry Whitesell to share his knowledge. “I’ve been training gaited horses for 30 years,” Whitesell comments, “but I have evolved from the traditional gaited horse methods to incorporate correctness and lightness to train gaited horses to a higher level. That journey included studying classical dressage from contemporary masters, and I continue this education for both riding and training purposes.”
The line-up of clinicians is rounded out with the following professionals:
• Dr. Clair Thunes, equine nutritionist
• Lydia Hiby, animal communicator
• David Bodin, “horse trailer guru”
• Bonnie Davis, trail riding and horse camping
• Gene and Nancy Hilty, driving a hitch
• Sarah Winters, three-day eventing and reined cow horse
• Ada Gates, farrier consultant
• John Shelle, PhD., horse husbandry
• Yvette S. Nout, DVM, equine scientist
Horse Expo Pomona will welcome horse enthusiasts Thursday – Saturday, February 2-4, 2012 (no event on Sunday so you can watch the Super Bowl!). And remember to download your Expo Bucks ONLINE for a $3 discount on admission tickets.
For more information about the exciting new Horse Expo Pomona, visit www.HorseExpoEvents.com.
