West Virginia Horse Expo April 18,2010 State Fairgrounds

West Virginia Horse Expo 2010's New Events: Pro Day, Trainer's Challenge, Cowboy Cook-off, Extreme Cowboy Race^TM , And Benefit Concert featuring Taylor Made!

WV State Fairgrounds, Lewisburg, WV - April 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th, 2010 - According to the West Virginia Horse Industry Economic Impact Study done by the West Virginia University Extension Service, the West Virginia horse industry is a five hundred million dollar industry. The study indicates that there are over fifty thousand horses in West Virginia. Until now, West Virginia horse enthusiasts had to travel out of state to attend an expo that would allow them to network with other horse enthusiasts, see the latest in equine products, and promote their farms, horses, and horse related products and services. The West Virginia Horse Expo promotes trading within and outside the state, helping grow and strengthen the West Virginia horse industry economy.

The three day 2010 horse expo will be held April 16^th - 18^th at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg, WV. It will feature a Cowboy Cook-off, Pro Day, Extreme Cowboy Race^TM, the West Virginia Trainer's Challenge and a benefit country music concert by Taylor Made. An affordable family event, kids under 18 tickets are only a dollar, plus a non-perishable food item. Youth admission revenue benefits the WV High School Rodeo.

There will also be variety of horsemanship clinics, seminars and demonstrations for the beginner to the experienced equestrian. Included in this year's roster of clinicians are West Virginia's Woody Taylor (Reining), Louise Trimble (English Equitation), Jack Clark (Halter), and Barbara Volk (Equine Podiatry). Clinics on Ranch Horse Versatility, Barrel Racing, Trailer Loading, Bits & Bridling, and Desensitizing will also be presented.

Last year the West Virginia Six Shooter's Mounted Cowboy Shooting demonstration and the West Virginia Draft Horse & Mule Association's pulling demonstration were big crowd pleasers. These exciting demonstrations will be returning in 2010 along with the Breed and Stallion demonstrations representing breeds from Friesians to Miniature Donkeys. A new demonstration will feature Bum the Wonder Horse, performing many of his 150 tricks, presented by Melvin Langford of West Virginia.

West Virginia based trainers have submitted applications for the West Virginia Trainer's Challenge, a colt start competition. The trainers selected for the 2010 challenge are Bobby Knight, Dan Hull and Robert (Junior) McClaughlin Jr. These trainers will have four and one half hours over three days to train a horse that has never been ridden in front of the audience and judges. In the finale Sunday afternoon, the trainers will have to ride their trained horse through an obstacle course.

The Extreme Cowboy Race^TM, as seen on RFD-TV, will challenge riders to navigate through fourteen obstacles while being timed and judged on horsemanship. The event is sanctioned by the Extreme Cowboy Association and open to riders in youth, novice and pro divisions. In addition to prizes, winners of this competition will gain points towards the Extreme Cowboy Race^TM World Championship. Cowboys and Cowgirls are encouraged to sign up for the event and compete for prizes.

Of course the heart of the expo is the trade show. Vendors of all things horses, from T-shirts to horse trailers, will have displays of their goods and services. Horse breeders will also have displays in the Horse Pavilion to promote their clubs, stallions and farms. Through the support of the WV Department of Agriculture all West Virginia based breeders who want to have a horse and booth in the Horse Pavilion (Including the Stallion Pavilion) will receive a discount.

Another highlight of the expo is the Saturday Evening Showcase. The showcase will start with the Parade of Horse followed by a trick horse demonstration by David Davis, and a benefit concert by the country music group, Taylor Made.

West Virginia has some of the best Mountain Cooks! So, don't forget to bring your appetite to the expo for the West Virginia Cowboy Cook-off. The cook-off is an outdoor beef grilling competition done in true cowboy fashion. Competition is open to any one, located any where, who thinks they're the best. Attendees of the expo will be able to purchase sampling tickets to try out the contestant's entries. Join the WV Horse Expo on Sunday, April 18^th, for the tastiest grillin' our Smokin' mountains has to offer.

For more details about the expo events, visit their website at www.wvhorseexpo.com or call (800)682-1552.