POMONA– One of the fastest growing expos in the U.S., California’s Horse Expo Pomona comes to the L.A. County Fairplex Feb. 5-7. In three short days, you can catch up on the latest training and education, shop the nation’s premier equine vendors and connect with your horse friends. Attending the Expo is a low-cost, high quality way to stay engaged in the horse industry, making sure you have the tools, knowledge and products to help make the most of your investment in the horse owning lifestyle year round.

Shopping
No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find best-in-class solutions in every equine category. Great deals and custom one-of-a-kind craftsmanship abound in equal measure, ensuring something for every horse person to appreciate! This year, there are several new, exciting vendors with innovative products, like Big Mare (see page 20).

The top equine experts grace the stages and arenas of Horse Expo Pomona each year, and this year’s line-up may be the best ever. One ticket price gets you access to unlimited learning, whether you’re a competitor looking for an edge or a recreational rider looking for insight into your human-horse relationship.

Clinton Anderson
Born and raised in Australia, Clinton grew up with a love of horses, and by the age of 15, was apprenticing with the best trainers in the country. In 1997, Clinton came to the U.S. where he continued pursuing his passion for horses by apprenticing under some of America’s greatest trainers, teaching clinics and competing. Today, Clinton shares the Method all across the country and regularly hosts horsemanship clinics at his facility in Stephenville, Texas. He works hard to educate horse owners on how to be safe and effective while enjoying their horses. His training method is instructional, inspiring and innovative.

Craig Cameron
A native Texan, Craig Cameron, one of the original clinicians, is on the road more than 44 weeks a year covering 80,000 miles demonstrating the style of horsemanship he has perfected in the last 23 years. Called the “public defender of the horse,” Craig dedicates himself to those who educate their horses by first educating themselves. At an age where most have long since retired the thought of starting colts, Craig Cameron known as “The Cowboy’s Clinician,” starts hundreds of horses each year; plus his four-day clinics held at his ranches in Bluff Dale, Texas, and Lincoln, New Mexico blend education with entertainment.

Adeptus Nutrition, Inc.
866-233-7887
adeptusnutrition.com
BOOTH 9133
San Diego-based Adeptus Nutrition, Inc., a provider of quality nutritional supplements, was founded in 2000 by PhD equine nutritionist and physiologist Dr. Colleen Wilson.  The advanced products offered by Adeptus encompass not only every nutritional need that your horses might have, but also products for your dog, cat – and even you! Dr. Wilson has the educational background combined with horse industry experience to effectively formulate supplements that work and satisfy practical needs.  Only digestible and proven active ingredients are used in Adeptus products, so your horses and pets can absorb and utilize the ingredients.  Consumers get their money’s worth with Adeptus products! Dr. Wilson and her knowledgeable staff are available to work out an effective and nutritionally correct feeding program.  Check out the Adeptus Nutrition Facebook page and sign up for free monthly newsletters from Dr. Wilson.

Big Mare™
909-908-6649
BigMare.com
BOOTH 7309
Big Mare™ skin, wound and hoof care products have it all. With its innovative new Controlled Delivery System (CDS), these solutions offer more than the “singular dimensional” benefits of micro-encapsulation by delivering a smaller molecule deeper into the skin. These combined actives working together offer time released benefits for round the clock healing. Available for both equine and canine, these anti bacterial and anti fungal formulas are available in a Body Wash, All Purpose Skin Solution, Wound Lotion, Thrush Spray and White Line Gel. Ask your store today for Big Mare™. It heals, prevents and maintains healthy skin and hoofs. Because you care…Big Mare™. Dealer inquiries welcome.

After a good overview of vertical flexion last issue, Les puts you and your horse on a straight line.

After you’ve been getting vertical flexion on the bend and at the standstill for a while, introduce vertical flexion on a straight line as you walk your horse forward. This is a critical part of your “feel” training, as you’ll be required to instantly adjust your pressure in one or both hands in order to teach your horse to maintain straight head-to-tail alignment while maintaining flexion at the poll.

Start by establishing light rein contact with both hands while you’re riding at the walk in a straight line. Keeping that light feel, gradually squeeze your calves just behind the cinch (or bump if you need to), driving your horse forward into the bit as you softly start to work the bit back and forth with your fingertips, encouraging him to relax his poll and drop his head.

Bella is a 7-year-old Thoroughbred who was abandoned.  All that could be established was that she was severely underweight and extremely fearful. She eventually landed at a rescue owned by Carole Harris, Horse Nation, where she has remained for the past couple of years. Early on, getting close, touching or haltering Bella was difficult. Even after they were able to halter her, she would frequently bolt or strike as she reared. Bella’s potential adopter, Diane, needed reassurance that she would be able to safely handle — and someday ride — the mare. Over the past two years, Carole and Diana sought outside help, and there had been improvement in her handling, as Bella eventually could be haltered and lunged. But her behavioral issues endured, and although Carole and Diana recognized potential in Bella, the mare’s reputation as being dangerous prevented progress – like being saddled, bridled, rode or exposed to different areas and terrain. Instead, she was relegated to her stall and round pen.

The New Year is upon us, with many goals and resolutions made and broken.  So, you’ve always wanted to try driving a horse or pony and buggy? Do it! If your resolution is to get interested in driving, then what are you waiting for?

Start off correctly by getting the knowledge you need. What is driving? Driving is the act of controlling an equine that is hooked to an implement or a rolling vehicle such as a cart, carriage or wagon.   Many people are interested in driving a horse and buggy, but don’t know how to get started.
In today’s modern world, there is still room and opportunities for carriage driving. Everyone from the young to “vintage” adults can drive. Driving is especially desirable for those with physical disabilities that may preclude them from riding, but not from having a good horse experience.  You don’t need a “big” horse.  Many adults drive miniature horses and small ponies.

Two Southern California Arabian Horse clubs merged as of Jan. 1 this year, forming a new club, the San Diego Arabian Horse Association. The two organizations that came together, the Desert Arabian Horse Association and the Tierra Del Norte Arabian Horse Association, actually are two branches of the same tree. Tierra Del Norte formed in 1976 when it split from DAHA, which began in 1950.

Former TDNAHA President Theresa Oakley is President of the San Diego AHA, which will meet on the second Monday each month in Escondido. “Our club’s main charter is to promote the Arabian Horse in our local community,” said Oakley. “Our efforts will be focused on introducing the Arabian horse to our community through new ideas that may include one-day Class A shows, supporting local all-breed community shows, and trail rides. We look forward to promoting the Arabian Horse in our community and welcome ideas.”

Katherine has been involved in the Arabian horse industry her entire life. As part of the third generation of her family’s Arabian horse business, she gladly carries the torch that was lit over sixty years ago, as a breeder, owner and trainer.

Located in the beautiful “Valle de Los Caballos” nestled in the heart of the Temecula wine country, Katherine co-owns Green Acres Ranch, Inc. along with her mother, Margaret Rich, an esteemed coach and International judge, and her brother, renowned cow horse trainer Roy Rich.

Katherine earned countless Regional and National titles as a Youth rider under the tutelage of many well-known coaches in the Arabian industry. In 2004 she gave up her Amateur status and became a professional Arabian trainer. In addition to training National caliber show horses, and earning her USDF bronze, silver and gold medals, Katherine coaches adults and youth riders to Regional and National titles every year.

After years of attending college at night, in 2010 Katherine graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management, and promptly put her college skills to work. Katherine truly enjoys owning and running her business from the ground up.

In 2011 Katherine was licensed by USEF with an “r” Arabian judge’s card and also had the privilege of marrying her long-time friend and now business partner, Tyler Elzig. Katherine and Tyler have embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, navigating the ins and outs of the Arabian horse industry.