Horse Expo 2012

Loved it!  Taz's Mom and I have been going to Equine Affaire for at least 10 years.  In the beginning, Equine Affaire was fabulous.  Over the years, it seemed to sparkle less and less until we started talking about not going.  We just couldn't resist the annual trip to all-things-equine, so we kept going even though we didn't get quite as much out of it as in the past.

When we heard that the event was being hosted by a new group, we were skeptical, but we decided to give the event a shot.  We are so glad we did.  We thoroughly enjoyed the Horse Expo and definitely plan on returning next year.  We shopped, of course, and ate, of course!  We even managed to sit through several clinics, both of which were very interesting.  

Eitan Beth-Halachmy

The first was a western dressage clinic by Eitan Beth-Halachmy.  We went to this clinic purely out of curiosity. It was interesting, but I didn't bring home any useful ideas.  I just wanted to see what it looked like.

Eitan Beth-Halachmy riding his Morgan stallion, Santa Fe Renegade

Click photos for larger views.

Two demo riders

This rider was performing a dressage test.

Dr. Christian Schacht

We both loved Dr. Christian Schacht's clinic.  He had three riders that he schooled through a variety of softening exercises.  One of the horses was a four-year old who was quite fresh.  The softening exercises included lots of change: bigger circle, smaller circle, canter two circles, trot two circles.  The point was to always keep the horse's focus on the rider.  Since young horses are easily distracted, the rider has to keep changing the idea.  Anything the horse volunteers, like cantering or spooking, the rider should make the horse think the idea actually belonged to the rider.  If the horse spooks right, say, yes, I wanted to go right.  If the horse breaks into canter, say, yes, I really want to canter.  It was a very interesitng ride.

Dr. Schacht also schooled a lower level rider over poles.  Here's a video of that part of his presentation.  Again very interesting.

More about the shopping in the next few days ...