Northwest Horse Fair officials have announced a dynamic group of world-class clinicians and a variety of exciting equine entertainment, for the eleventh annual Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, presented by SilverLite Trailers, March 19 through 21, 2010 at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany, Oregon. “This year’s event is loaded with a great line-up of world-class clinicians and trainers who will provide first-rate clinics and demonstrations for the crowd’s enjoyment”, said John Cloe, event founder and manager. Daily clinics will include: Al Dunning presenting Reining, Working Cow and Cutting clinics; George Williams featuring Dressage instruction; Nick Karazissis conducting daily Hunter/Jumper clinics; Peggy Cummings offering Connected Riding(tm); and Steve Rother giving clinics on how to Excel with Horses. “We’ll also present a very special Equine Extravaganza Thursday evening”, continued Mr. Cloe. “Combining music and horses, action and adventure, you’ll see an evening of exhilarating equine entertainment that will delight the whole family!”

The Equine Extravaganza will kick off the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo beginning at 4pm Thursday, March 18. Costumes, color and pageantry will highlight dramatic performances by the Silver Edge Theatrical Equestrian Group, featuring fast pace rides with magnificent costumes and awe-inspiring music. The SilverLite Drill Team will “strut their stuff” showing off precision drills on horseback, and a pair of black Friesian horses from the FeatherDance BlackPearl Friesian Dance Troupe will combine music with clever choreography, to provide spectators with awesome entertainment on horseback! Rounding out the evening, Steve Rother will present a special clinic, “Taming the Wild Ones – Wild Mustang Handling”.

“We’re pleased to present the Extreme Mustang Makeover for the second year, at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo. It’s an exciting spectator event that tests the trainers’ abilities to tame wild mustangs in a very short period of time!” said Mr. Cloe. Thirty trainers received their wild mustangs December 1, and are training and preparing them for the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition, organized by the Mustang Heritage Foundation. The three and four year old mustangs, gathered in Oregon, will be judged on conditioning, groundwork, and a “Horse Course” that requires tricky maneuvers and includes obstacles found in trail and recreational riding situations. The contest culminates with the Finals, where the top contestants showcase their horse’s best talents, as they compete for $7,500 in prize money. “The crowds went wild for last year’s winner, ‘Mustang Sally’, as she showed off her jumping skills in the Finals, clearing 3 foot fences with ease!”, said Mr. Cloe. Following the Finals, all horses will become available for adoption through competitive bidding, on Sunday at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo. Fans of the mustangs can vote for a “Fan Favorite” beginning February 1 on the Extreme Mustang Makeover website. The two finalists will compete during the Sunday Finals for the title of “Fan Favorite”. To vote for your favorite mustang, go to www.extrememustangmakeover.com.

Details of the daily clinics, lectures and workshops have been announced, promising a weekend with a wide variety of equine education, demonstrations and instruction. Clinicians and their presentations include:

Al Dunning, a professional trainer since 1970, has expertise in all facets of western events. He and his students have won 32 World and Reserve World titles, including AQHA World Championships in Reining, Cutting, Working Cow Horse and Western Riding. Al has developed a winning tradition with Quarter Horses that is well documented. He has given seminars and clinics all across the United States and in several foreign countries. At the Northwest Horse Fair 2010, Al will conduct clinics including: “Western Dressage – Using Dressage Principles to Benefit the Western Horse”; “Reining Basics Part 1 – Lead Changes”; “Using the Mechanical Cow – Essential Training for the Cutting Horse”, “Reining Basics, Part 2 – Stops and Rollbacks”; and “Reining Basics Part 3 – Circles and Turn-Arounds”.

George Williams is a prominent figure in both national and international dressage competition. He rode the Grand Prix mare Rocher, on the U.S. bronze medal Nations Cup Team in Aachen, Germany, in 2005. As a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team, he placed 5th at the 2003 World Cup Dressage Finals in Sweden. For 20 years, George served as a resident trainer and rider for The Tempel Lipizzans in Illinois. George is a popular clinician, and has coached numerous individual and team medalists at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. At the Northwest Horse Fair 2010, George will present 3 clinics: “Incorporating Leg Yielding Exercises into Your Dressage Training Program”; “Introduction to Collection: Exercises to Introduce, Improve & Demonstrate What Collection Can Ultimately Achieve”; and “Introducing Your Dressage Horse to Flying Changes...How to Know When He’s Ready and Exercises to Get You Started”.

Nick Karazissis joins the Northwest Horse Fair from California, where his Far West Farms is not only one of the oldest, but one of the most successful businesses on the West Coast in Equitation, Hunters and Show Jumping. Nick’s consistent show ring success has made him an extremely popular clinician. He’s been giving clinics throughout the United States for over 20 years. Nick is also a USEF “R” judge and has held his judge’s card for over 3 decades.

Nick’s sessions at the NW Horse Fair will include: “The Common Things All Good Riders Do When They Ride a Jump Course & How Gymnastics Improve the Form of Horse and Rider”; “The Cornerstones of Creating Balance and Connection in Your Horse & The Basics of Hunter Seat Equitation: Form Follows Function, Function Follows Form”; and “Everything You Wanted to Know About Judging and Were Afraid to Ask”.

Peggy Cummings is an internationally recognized equestrian clinician. Peggy has developed her Connected Riding® methods from years of training with riding masters throughout the U.S. and Europe, the study of Western and English disciplines and of human and equine movement, and a passion for helping people and horses learn easily. Peggy will present a number of Connected Riding(tm) lectures and clinics at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo, including a clinic and lecture on “Lighten Up! See How You Can Become Live Weight vs Dead Weight in the Saddle”. She will also present a 3 part lecture series on “Developing Your Eye”, including: “Part 1: Understand How Riding Helps or Hinders Horse’s Musculature for Movement”, “Part 2: Learn to Assess How Efficiently Your Horse is Using His Body”, and “Part 3: Learn Simple Exercises to Promote Better Posture and Core Strength in Your Horse”. Peggy’s presentations also include: a clinic on “Creating Bend & Suppleness for an Elegant Ride & a Healthy Horse”; “Power UP! Exercises to Unleash the Power of the Horse’s Hind End for More Impulsion and Forward Movement”; and 2 lectures: “Improving Your Horse’s Topline” and “What’s Connection Got to Do with It?”. Peggy will also feature a special clinic on Sunday as part of “LMF Feed Youth Day”. This clinic is designed especially for youth and their instructors and is called “Helping Our Horses Hear Us Better – Learn How to be More With Your Horse for an Easier & More Fun Ride”.

Steve Rother combines a unique blend of education and entertainment to teach a wide variety of people to improve the relationship and training tools with their horses. Steve mixes this early education with a background in working cattle, Ranch Roping, Reining, Cutting, Dressage, Jumping, Rodeo, Liberty, Trick Training and Mustang Taming to provide one of the most well rounded clinic programs offered today. By blending education with entertainment, and utilizing equine psychology, Steve helps people unlock the potential of their equine dreams. Steve comes to the Northwest Fair & Expo from his home in Hunters, Washington. During the Expo, Steve will present a series of clinics including: “Body Control – How to Gain Control of Your Horse’s Body”; a two part clinic on “Overcoming Trail Obstacles” and a two part clinic on “Overcoming Extreme Issues”.

Shoppers will love the huge trade show, offering a broad selection of products and services for horse and farm enthusiasts. Two buildings with rows of shopping booths will feature horse trailers, feed, clothing and equipment for horse and rider, equine supplies, farm products, artwork, gifts and much more!

The Breed Showcase and Stallion Review will represent a wide variety of horse breeds, in a multitude of colors and sizes. From massive to miniature horses, from domestic to foreign breeds, horses will be led, ridden and driven in delightful demonstrations showing off the diversity of horses!

Admission for the Thursday evening Equine Extravaganza and special Steve Rother clinic is a separate ticket, and cost is $10 per person. Ticket sales begin at 3pm Thursday. Cash only at the gate; no advance purchased tickets accepted that day.

Advance tickets for the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo are $10 per day for adults and $5 per day for children aged 6 to 12. Tickets at the gate are $12 per day for adults and $6 per day for children 6 to 12; children 5 and under get in free. Cash only at the gate. Advance tickets for the Northwest Horse Fair are on sale at select retail outlets throughout Oregon and Washington. A complete list of ticket outlets is available at www.equinepromotions.net . Advance ticket sales end Thursday March 18 at store closing time.

Sunday at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo is “LMF Feed Youth Day”. Admission is free that day for Pony Club and 4-H members, 18 year of age and under, who show their current Club ID at the entrance gate.

Hours for the equine exposition are: Thursday, March 18 for the Equine Extravaganza and special clinic: 4pm to 8pm; Friday, March 19 from 10am to 8pm; Saturday March 20 from 9am to 8pm; and Sunday, March 21 from 9am to 6pm.

For more information on the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, or the Extreme Mustang Makeover, go to www.equinepromotions.net, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 765-655-2107.

Sponsors for the 2010 Northwest Fair and Expo include: the presenting sponsor, SilverLite Trailers; Andis; Beelart Embroidery; Coastal Farm and Ranch; Guaranty RV; KRKT; LMF Feed; Purina Mills, LLC; and Northwest Rider, the official publication for the Northwest Fair and Expo.

No pets are allowed at the Northwest Fair and Expo, and videotaping of any event by the public is prohibited.