It’s Unanimous!! EVERYone loved the new location. The responses have been very positive and already people are securing spots for 2010. We feel this show was the best to date with regard to Talent, Entertainment and Education value. The FAB Ranch location turned out to be very good for the layout of the Expo and the general “Working Ranch” atmosphere was not wasted on any attendees. We were a little anxious about the economy, horse market, holiday and weather but the horse people in our local and regional areas still supported the Event with great enthusiasm. We didn’t see a big jump in numbers, but we expected that with the way the area economy has been. We surely appreciate every guest, every vendor, every volunteer that gave their support to the Expo. Fred Brown and Family were tremendous to work with and want to extend their thanks and appreciation to all who attended the Expo and showed such great respect and appreciation for their property. Al Dunning was a terrific draw and his filled clinics showed how much people in the Northwest were looking forward to him being featured at Ride the West. Daniel Stewart awed attendees and students with his jumping and dressage clinics, and Steve Edward’s “Wild Wild West Mule and Donkey Trail Race” was such a hoot to watch. That event is going to grow for sure and we want to congratulate Shannon Lloyd for taking 1st place. The 4th Annual XTreme Trail Challenge hosted by Doug & Kathy Vouchell as always, was a tremendous success. The Ranch gave us the opportunity to take the course from inside the arena, outside into the natural hill terrain and added a whole other dimension to the Event. Congratulations to Talea Metivier and her Appaloosa for taking the Championship. They were presented with a beautiful Montana Silver Buckle by Will Rogers of Will Rogers Saddlery, plus cash and prizes. Second Place went to Shann Webley riding Connie Ham’s Morgan Stallion. Third place went to Sarah McDaniel, 4th place to Ginny Deane, 5th place to Ken Selvidge, and 6th place to Keith Danielson. In our Youth Division, placing first was Heather Molvik, second place was Connlee Gray, third place was Cole Evans, 4th place was Amanda Thomas, 5th place was Rayne Roberts, and 6th place was Tonya Ballman. Thanks to all of our Trail Sponsors including Big R Stores, CB Knot Co., Will Rogers Saddlery, Ride the West, and The Dog & Pony Show. Winners of the Expo Prizes were: Breeding to FAB Stallion Exacto Roan: Debi Gumm of Farmington, Tyson Durfey/Fred Brown Roping Session: Matt Randall of Spokane, and the AD Tack Headstall Combo went to Kimi Corbin of Valleyford. A special Thank You to KIXZ 96 for their Trip to Nashville’s FanFair. The Toys for Tots US Marine Auxillary did a supurb job with their Pancake Breakfast/Auction and the Morab Colt donated by Judy Stewart was won by Annette Callesto. The Cat Country Star Guitar raised $480 with the help of auctioneer Don Dyer of the IE Back Country Horsemen.

The FAB Quarterhorse Ranch Production Sale was packed and although horse prices are iffy right now, the turn out was great and a lot of the horses went for good money. Everyone who walked away with a FAB colt or filly had big smiles on their faces and we hope to see a lot of these animals in the showring, on the trail or at Rodeos in the future. Our thanks to Will Wolf of Crossroads Cattle Co. and Butch Booker for making the sale such a success.

Other clinics and seminars by Tyson Durfey, Ann Kirk, Doug & Kathy Vouchell, McKinley-Peters Veterinary Hospital, Mitch & JoLinn Hoover, Mike Watkins, the Northwest Aside Group, Mallory Brown, Taryn Krantz and the Inland Empire Back Country Horsemen were all well attended. This caliber of talent, all in one place, gives you the horse owner a tremendous variety to choose from to gain knowledge with regard to being a horse owner. There’s always something new to learn, a new product to try, or a new friend to make. That’s the magic of Ride The West. We hope you continue to support these trainers, our vendors and businesses that make this show possible. Thank you to Tony Wilson and Big R Stores and Helen Boyd and Staff at the Exchange and Horse Previews Magazine for all their support over the years. We could not have done it without them. Please take a moment to visit www.wildspiritphoto.com and see all of the fabulous photos that Wendy Hodges took at the Expo. You may see yourself or someone you know. Photos are available for purchase from her as well. Just remember.....you’ll see the best at Ride The West. See you next year! Susan Rae, Event Manager