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Thursday, April 24, 2008 |
Horses come out for spring show
Showcase, sale also includes instructional clinics, tack sale
Wheatland Dreamwalker, a Morgan stallion ridden by his trainer Chelsea Enos, greets fans at the showcase
in 2007. Photo courtesy of Dragoon Studios (Photo courtesy
of Dragoon Studios ) |
If you go
What: Stallion Showcase and Horse Sale
When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Valley Mission Horse Arena, 11322 E. Mission Ave. Spokane Valley
Admission: Free.
Web site: www.nonprofit nw.org/openhouse/ | |
Cindy Hval
Correspondent
April 24, 2008
Neither rain, nor snow, nor a seemingly endless winter, can stop some signs of spring – like the fourth annual Stallion
Showcase and Horse Sale, Saturday at Valley Mission Horse Arena.
The event, billed as "an old-fashioned horse fair and open house," is one of the first opportunities for local stables
to get their horses out of the barns and into the public eye.
Margo Mossburg, who owns Dragoon Morgans with her husband, Dennis, founded the show several years ago. "A lot of people
weren't going out to farms to buy horses, so we decided to bring the horses to them."
However, the event isn't just for prospective horse owners. The Stallion Showcase gives breeders a chance to network, and
offers the public an opportunity for an up-close look at a variety of horses.
According to Mossburg, more than 20 barns from three states, featuring at least 50 horses, will be participating. Morgan,
appaloosa and quarter horses are just a few of the breeds that will be offered for private sale.
One of the most popular activities at the show is the Liberty Class, in which horses get to strut their stuff in front
of the crowd. While not a formal showing, the audience will see each horse prance around the ring, and interact with its owner.
A local 4-H group will be on hand to judge the event, which boasts a $100 jackpot for the winner.
Shelley Kerr, of Corkscrew Willow Ranch, attended last year's show. She said the informal tenor
of the event creates an inviting atmosphere for novice horse owners and for members of the public who just like to look at
the animals.
This year Kerr will offer a free miniclinic on trailer loading. She'll demonstrate the best techniques to safely load and
travel with horses.
In addition, a class on horse photography will be offered. Taking good photos of horses can be tricky. "The lenses are
round and horse faces are flat," said Mossburg. "A wrong angle and the horse can look like an elephant or a giraffe."
For the first time this year, the event will offer horse tack for sale. Many exhibitors will have tables set out with new
and used saddles, blankets, bits and other items.
Organizers hope the relaxed atmosphere will encourage the public to attend and learn about the various breeds being shown.
"The horses are the stars of the day," Mossburg said.
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A very large thanks to the Spokesman-Review newspaper of Spokane for printing this article in
their Voices section. http://www.spokesmanreview.com
Please note: Our new event URL is now: http://www.spokanehorsesale.com
