Horse enthusiasts from across Western Canada descended on Red Deer over the weekend for the 2022 Horse Expo at Westerner Park.
The event continues April 16 and 17 with a packed schedule of clinics in four arenas that focused on barrel racing, mounted shooting, jumping, dressage, reigning and more.
Organizer Ryan Gordon said he has already booked Westerner Park for the 2023 Horse Expo to be held April 28 to 30.
“The turnout is wonderful. There are still people streaming in the door,” Gordon said at noon on Friday.
“The aisles are full. We have no empty booths. There’s all sorts of people shopping. There’s people watching the trainer challenge. There’s people watching presentations.”
At a clinic on the opening day of the expo, horse trainers explained that building trust with a horse is fundamental if the rider wants a relationship that benefits both of them.
Kylie Bartel, a counsellor who teaches rider mindset in Chilliwack, B.C., told her audience that she was still building that connection with her horse Shilo, who felt anxious when they arrived at the arena where their Red Deer clinic was to be held.
“I had full intention of coming in and riding last night, but Shilo is a little more of an introverted horse. When her mind is nervous and worried, her back becomes a little tight. Her steps get shorter. She almost starts to look a little lame,” said Bartel on Friday morning.
And because of Shilo’s reaction, Bartel decided to stay on the ground with her horse instead of getting in the saddle for the clinic.
“We’re only a year into our relationship. We’re still building trust in each other and trust is a two-way street,” said Bartel before she demonstrated how she communicates with Shilo, so the horse feels comfortable performing basic maneouvers like moving forward, backwards and sideways.
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Her clinic partner Elisha Bradburn, who teaches legacy horsemanship, said it takes a lot of strength to put your horse first.
“We care about our horses. We love them and we want to have fun and want to go places with our horses. But sometimes, especially when you want to go places with your horse, the fun can turn into a little bit of fear and trepidation,” said Bradburn, of Fraser Valley, B.C.
She said there was a time when she was more concerned about what a horse could do for her, but she learned how to connect with her horse Boone as well as having his respect, which is important for safety.
“As much as we love them and want to be close to them, if they are coming up against our boundaries we have to be clear and consistent with our boundaries. The way to be fair, is to be consistent. They know what to expect from you,” Bradburn said.
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For more information visit HorseExpo.ca.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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