VT's Everything Equine Continues to Grow

VT's Everything Equine Continues to Grow
National Experts & Entertainment Highlight 'The Versatile Horse'
By Stephen Mease
ESSEX JUNCTION, VT -- One of the largest equine educational event in New England continues to grow as plans are finalized for the 2007 Everything Equine show on April 28-29 at Champlain Valley Exposition (CVE).
The always popular annual "Horsin' Around" Variety Show is expanding to two shows this year, and a new stallion service auction on Sunday afternoon will benefit the Vermont 4-H Horse programs. National expert Lynn Palm will be on hand to offer training tips that will make both the horse and its owner happier. Palm is a renowned competitor, trainer and instructor with dozens of World and Reserve World Championships.
Part educational event, part consumer trade show and part social get-together for New England and New York horse lovers - Everything Equine is a valuable resource for everyone in the equine industry to get the latest health and equine care information through some 60 seminars and demonstrations.
This year's theme is 'The Versatile Horse.' It will highlight for those interested in horses size and impact of their industry on Vermont. In the past, organizers say, Everything Equine has generated approximately $2 million dollars in economic impact to Vermont and the region.
But the real value, many say, is the opportunity for hands-on experience and the chance to gain practical knowledge and Equine Extension programs and publications are promoted at the event.
The all-indoor show is open Saturday, April 28 from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, April 29 from 9 am to 4 pm. Advance discount tickets are $6, day of show $8. A two-day pass is available for $12. Children under 5 are free with an adult. Call 802-878-5545 or visit www.cvexpo.org for ticket locations and information on group sales. Tickets go on sale March 1.
"The original intent of this event was to bring together the equine community -- all breeds and all disciplines -- to make a positive impact on education, agriculture, and the state economy," explained Tom Oddy, CVE's director of special events. "I think in just a few years we have accomplished that and so much more."
Recognition of Everything Equine's success came with two major awards in 2006. "In December, we received the '2006 Non-Fair Agricultural Event of the Year' from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Award of Excellence program, sponsored by John Deere. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce also named Everything Equine to its 2007 'Top Ten Vermont Event' list, based on the success of the 2006 event and its potential for growth," Oddy noted.
One of the event's founders, University of Vermont Equine Extension Specialist Betsy Greene, recalled that when Everything Equine was originally conceived three years ago, they hoped for 1,000 attendees. Nearly five times that attended in the first year and within three years attendance topped 7,500 in 2006.
"Growing attendance and our recent awards demonstrate the benefits of the community partnership between Champlain Valley Exposition, UVM Extension, 4-H, private business and other non-profit organization all working together as key stakeholders," Oddy said.
Everything Equine Highlights For 2007, a full line-up of nationally-known experts will provide information about equine health, training and driving, saddle fitting, dentistry, alternative therapies, emergency aid and more. Seminar topics range from nutrition, health to equine reproduction. There are workshops on spring tune-up: conditioning tips, using music in training and how to turn your horse hobby into a viable business.
There will even be a series of seminars aimed at helping the first-time or novice horse owner get off to successful start. During the two-day show exhibitors will display their latest equipment, nutrition supplements, and equine-related supplies. Meanwhile, over in the seminar rooms and Poulin Grain Horse Arena and Purina Mills Demonstration Pen, horse-lovers will have a chance to see everything from jumping demonstrations to a live, endoscopic exam performed by Dr. Philip D. van Harreveld, DVM.
A perennial star of the show -- Hollywood screenwriter John Fusco's superstar horse, Oscar - who played 'Hidalgo' in the Disney movie of the same name -- will be back again this year. There will be autographed photos and a chance to meet Oscar and other Colonial Spanish Mustangs brought to the show by trainer, Stephanie Lockhart of Stowe, Vt.
One of the big hits of Everything Equine has been the Vermont Horse Council's (VHC) annual equine variety show, "Horsin' Around on Saturday Night." Lynn Dow of VHC brought together 13 acts for the sold-out show last year. Organizers added a second show on Saturday afternoon to meet the demand for tickets this year. Proceeds benefit the VHC to further activities in the Vermont equine community. Shows will be at 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Purchasing advance tickets ($14 for the matinee includes Equine show admission and $10 for the evening show) is encouraged.
Among the returning highlights expected this year at "Horsin' Around" - the 16-horse drill team from Pond Hill Ranch Pro Rodeo in Castleton, Vt., miniature horses, draft horses and everything in between during the 90-minute show.

And everyone is wondering how the Perry Family of Brownington, Vt., will top last year's act when Neal Perry dressed as Darth Vader and rode into the ring on his Morgan stallion Chadwick's Benjamin to battle his 10-year-old son, Spencer, dressed as Luke Skywalker. The phrase, "Use the horse, Luke," came to mind for Star Wars fans in the bleachers as the father and son battled with light sabers.
On Sunday, April 29, the Vermont State 4-H Foundation will hold a stallion service auction. As of Feb. 1, the services of a Morgan, Canadian, American Paint Horse and a Bashkir Curly have been donated. Details are available at http://cvexpo.org/auction.aspx.
The auction will raise funds for 4-H in Vermont, and in particular the 4-H Horse Project, which has 85 horse clubs and more than 900 members in the state. The auctioneer is Louise Moon Rosalie. "The bidding should be brisk and to add to the excitement of the day, each stallion will be on site during the auction," said Kurt Reichelt, the UVM Extension's auction organizer.
Also new this year, on-site camping for recreational vehicles will be available.
Impact on the Economy
UVM Extension's Greene is thrilled by the growing attendance and enthusiasm shown at Everything Equine. "The combined strengths of UVM Extension, the Exposition, and Vermont horse businesses and equine industry experts from the region make this one of the top shows in the Northeast.," she said.
"It was evident that people who are passionate and focused on their animals really find what they come looking for during the weekend," Greene said. "We bring together horse-related businesses, riding clubs and industry experts under one roof. It makes for a great weekend, especially for someone thinking about getting a horse who wants to talk with hobbyists, professionals and serious competitors about 'everything equine,'" she added.
'Everything Equine' is sponsored by University of Vermont Extension, Poulin Grain, Inc., Purina Mills, Guys Farm and Yard, Shearer GMC & Shearer Chevrolet, Blue Seal Feeds, Inc., Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar, The Equine Journal, The Horse Works, Tony's Tack Shop, Nutrena and Champlain Valley Exposition.
Champlain Valley Exposition is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and commerce for Vermonters. You can learn more at www.cvexpo.org.