It is that time of year again for the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo to take over the National Western Complex in Denver. This is the time for all those from Montana to Texas, who want to live and breathe all things horse to come together. Several of our local mountain area horse trainers and business people will be putting on clinics, participating in challenges and hanging out at their booths to chat with passersby.
What better time of year for those of us horse folks who are just catching the hints of spring all around in melting snow, mud and shedding horses. Our plans for our Colorado summers are filling our heads with activities like horse shows, trail riding, horse trips with friends, sorting, roping, rodeos, endurance rides, clinics and more. We are setting goals for number of rides, rodeos, shows or clinics. Maybe to try a new discipline out like Working Equitation, Western Dressage/Cowboy Dressage or Ranch Sorting; experience some of our amazing local parks; or just improve our riding and communication with our equine partners. Maybe none of that sparks your interest, but most (if not all) of you just like to be around anything horse related and window shop.
With just the price of admission, you have free rein to walk around the Hall of Education, Stadium Arena and Events Center Arena, Barn and Paddock. You will find vendors, competitions, and clinics going on simultaneously for you do drop in on. The list of clinicians and speakers includes: Russell Beatty, Mike Brashear, Sharon Bringleson, Dawn Brunetti, Francis Carbonnel, Nicole Collins, Dan Craig, Justin Dunn, Kris Garrett, Dr. Regan Golob, Julie Goodnight, Cody Harrison, Dennis Kuehl, Mike Kurtz, Cindy Loader, Cal Middleton, Ashara Morris, Jason Patrick, Melisa Pierce, Steuart Pittman, Jo Rench, Lyn Ringrose, Richard Shrake, Travis Smith, Cliff Swanson, Benjiumen Denney, Anna Twinney, Terry Wagner, Carol Walker, Tarrin Warren, Brent Winston and the Side Saddle Sisters of Oklahoma. If you can’t wait until Thursday, Pre-Clinics start on Wednesday and Thursday.
The 20,000+ people that attend every year will find 250-300 Tradeshow Exhibitors and events like The Comeback Challenge and A Home for Every Horse Auction, Colorado’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred by Retired Racehorse Project, Mounted Shooting, Select Horse Sale, Ride with the Experts, Agri-Business Fair, Stick Horse Arena, Mini Horse Fair, Craft Fair, Horseman’s College, Mustang Days – Extreme Race, Equine Experience, Colt Starting Challenge coltstartingchallengeusa.com, Working Equitation Show, Cowboy Dressage Show, Miss Rodeo Colorado Horsemanship Clinic and Art in the Park Show and Sale.
There are ticketed events like The Mane Event on Friday and Saturday night, showcasing all shapes and sizes of horses doing their thing from Dressage, Team Penning, Driving, Reining, to Vaulting and more. A great event to bring your non-horse friends and family to.
Looking for a horse to be your new best friend? The Select Horse Sale is put on by Harley D. Troyer Auctions and is full of riding horses of all sizes. There is a preview Friday night from 5-7pm and the sale is Saturday For the full catalog go to www.TroyerAuctions.com.
Ride with the Experts is in its 8th year and is an inexpensive way to ride with some of the best clinicians available. Go to http://www.coloradohorsecouncil.com/rmhe and fill out the participant contract along with your top three clinician preferences by March 6th.
The Scouting and Youth Program is offering the ability for kids and Scouts to earn their “Crazy ‘Bout Horses Patch” or their Horseback Riding Badge. This is offered on Friday 1-4pm, Saturday 9am-3:30pm and Sunday from 9-11:30am. For $40 the program covers horse safety, behavior, tack & equipment, veterinary care, horse breeds, grooming and riding
Admission Costs – available for purchase online:
3-Day Grounds badge – $25 (5 and under are free)
Adult 1-Day Grounds pass – $10 (5 and under are free)
Student/Senior 1-Day Grounds pass – $8 (5 and under are free)
Children age 5 and under – FREE
Family Pack of 1-Day Grounds passes – $40 – includes 5 tickets, one person must be an adult (5 and under are free)
Special Youth Coupon – $2 off FFA, 4H Clubs, Little Britches, High School Rodeo, etc. (redeemable at National Western Ticket Office ONLY)
Mane Event Passes (for Fri. or Sat. at 7:00 PM)
Admission – $10 - all ages
Family Pack of Mane Event Admissions – $40 (Includes 5 tickets for all ages, one person must be an adult. All 5 tickets must be used on the same night.)
Combination Passes
1-Day Grounds pass and 1-Mane Event pass- $15 - all ages
Family Pack of 1-Day Grounds passes and 1-Mane Event passes – $65 (Includes 5 grounds tickets and 5 Mane Event tickets for all ages. All 5 tickets must be used on same day/night.)
For the full schedule, go to: http://www.coloradohorsecouncil.com/rmhe. We hope to see you at the 2017 Rock Mountain Horse Expo! Heather McWilliams © 2017.
