Expo Recap

Where do I begin (name that song)?

This was my sixth year being on the Expo planning committee and I have to say that from an operational view, it couldn't have been better. Working with the same people for six years really helps develop a fine oiled machine. Not saying it wasn't without a snag here or there, but most of the time, resolution is quick and easy. (The above picture is of our expo chair, Cindy Vossler and her son, Colton, and our treasurer, Sandy Powell after a long first day.)

Our headliners this year were Van Hargis, Jimmie Munroe, Monty Bruce and Craig Cameron. Van was a return guest, having been one of the first clinicians I booked when I worked that area in 2006. He is as kind and gracious as he was then and from the audiences' feedback, he was once again received very well. His practical applications of horsemanship could translate into cow work, trail riding or showing. I believe he was the crowd favorite.

For those who don't know Jimmie Munroe, she is a champion barrel racer and instrumental in starting the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. I want to be her when I grow up. Since she isn't that much older than me, I had better start working on it! A kind, kind, kind lady, soft spoken but with a strong presence; all beautiful traits for any horseperson. I met Monty briefly, but unfortunately didn't have the opportunity to sit through any of his performances.

Butter was supposed to be in a Craig Cameron demo on "problem horse". She has a few, but what I mentioned to Craig is her lack of softness primarily due to being ridden by a kid all her life. He told me he "can't fix that in an hour" so Butter got pulled. Instead Craig worked on a buddy-sour Morgan, which I guess is fixable in an hour.

When we started planning Expo and had signed Craig Cameron, we really wanted to have an Extreme Cowboy Race (ECR), but were having a hard time getting the sign-off from Craig's people. So we went ahead and put it together as best we knew how & were ready to roll it out under another name when we got word that Craig was on board. In a little over two weeks, I had twenty some riders signed up and the Extreme Cowboy Race worked into the schedule for Saturday night.

The course was posted for contestants early Saturday afternoon and they were allowed to walk it on foot prior to the event. The goal was to successfully follow the pattern, passing through the 13 obstacles. Contestants were judged on each obstacle, their overall horsemanship and time.

I had a really good time leading up to the event; talking with many of the contestants via email or phone as they contemplated signing up for the event. Plus there were a handful of Horsetalers who also entered the competition. Logistically, I was nervous, because I scheduled it in an arena that doesn't have as much seating as the one we usually use for our Saturday night feature, but due to the obstacles, I needed to be able to shut it down for early set-up. We used ushers to seat people to gain the most use of the 1,000+ seats and for the most part, it worked out fine.

The event itself was exciting and entertaining. The riders are brave souls to want to get out there and try this with their horse and I admire their moxie. They rode hard and strong and should be proud of their try.

I was surprised and disappointed when Craig said the winners would not be announced until his first presentation the following day – that surely would not have been my preference -- but I was happy those top contenders showed up to receive their awards on Sunday morning. As planners we try to expect the unexpected, but sometimes we just have to roll with the flow. There was no way we could remedy this one on the fly. (Winners: Juanita Serafina & Karen Harris (tie for 4th), Shelly Henderson (3rd) and Bryan Schronk (1st). Not pictured, Dr. Barry Littell (2nd).)

After the event on Saturday night, we planned to have a little get-together with committee members, Horsetalers and friends. Although I helped arrange a room for the party, they surprised me with a birthday party. How fun is that! I love having a birthday at Expo time. And thank you all for thinking of me.

I took this morning off for a bit of reflection and recovery. It was a great Expo.

Expo – One Day Down

Its early morning of Expo, Day 2. I have a couple hours before I need to be over there; so enjoying some coffee and catching up on the news.

As far as Expos go, so far so good. There has been no major issues and everyone I have spoken to seem to be enjoying it. Van Hargis has had a real warm reception. He has been here before and was very popular with that country boy charm. I sat through some of Jimmie Munroe's barrel racing clinic and one of Craig Cameron's presentations. Still want to see Monty Bruce and there is still time.

There are a lot of great vendors. I bought a pretty bling belt and have my eye on a new saddle pad.

Butter seems unfazed by Expo. Before I left last night, I took her to the round pen for lunging. She was curious of all the excitement, but not spooked. Hope her attitude continues; I would hate to see her stress out.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway by commenting on the prior post. I'll draw for a winner tomorrow.

If you are in the Lincoln, Nebraska area – come on down to the Nebraska Horse Expo!

Just What I Needed

The Nebraska Horse Expo is just a week away and there are still some loose ends to finish up for Expo and for work. I just hope I don't call one of our partner companies and identify myself with "horse expo" rather than my employer's name. The phone has been ringing so much lately on both accounts.

It's been a weird weather week. One day, cold and damp, and the next will find the temps creeping up to almost 60. I took off on one of those days. Had some Expo errands to run and then stopped at the DMV to license the new commuter car. By the time I got home, the wind had picked up and temperatures plummeted. I rode bareback in the arena for a little while, but it certainly wasn't what I envisioned earlier that day.

Today was another taste of spring and no wind! I went out to the corral to fetch Windy. Baby, our draft horse, walked toward me and then stopped in my way. I was going to move around her and then thought to myself "when was the last time I rode her?" I am guessing the summer before last? What the heck. She dropped her big head and neck as I slipped on the halter.

I tied her off while I got the tack. We don't have a draft horse saddle, but I use an Abetta with a fiberglass tree. It seems to be wide enough with a light pad. A few years ago McCain bought me a nylon headstall – lime green – for Windy. He didn't know it was draft horse size, so it became Baby's bridle. So with her lime green headstall and purple and blue nylon saddle, she certainly wasn't making a fashion statement but she did look dressed up enough to do the job.

I took her in the arena and unclipped the lead from the halter. Baby isn't particularly a tall horse; standing just under 16hh. But she is big and could be powerful, if she weren't overweight. So I wanted to take a little of the fresh off her before I got on. I clucked and started her free lunging; literally taking the buck out of her.

After about 5 minutes, I climbed aboard. I didn't have a mounting block, it was a big stretch, but she stood like a gentle giant. The stirrups were a tad short, but I wasn't getting down and doing that again, so we got by. I kissed her into a walk on the rail and she dropped her head and nicely collected herself. After a few laps, we moved into a pretty little trot.

She doesn't neck rein, so at first, any time I was turning her, it'd be with a plow rein. I started applying a little outside leg with the rein, occasionally touching her with my spur. Finally, by the end of the ride, she was moving as decent as can be expected, off my leg.

I didn't overdo it. She was working up a good sweat just the little bit we worked. But it was good for her and good for me to give her a little time every now and then. The ride was different than I expected to do today, but just what I needed in its own way.

(Jenn (at AK Pony Girl), I thought of you and The Mare today. She reminds me so much of my Baby.)

The Extreme Cowboy Race

I've been knee deep in finishing the Expo schedule and getting it to the person handling the event program. You would think by now it would be a well-oiled process. It is, mostly, but there are always issues: before, during and even after the presses roll.

We also wrote up the dreaded work orders that need submitted to the event center. We need x amount of bleachers here and x amount of bleachers there and a microphone here, a sound system there and tables and chairs every where.... Our facility has 3 arenas, 1 round pen presentation area, a lecture hall, a large exhibit hall, a vendor pavilion and my favorite place, the barn. The complex, The Lancaster Event Center, is huge.

It was down to the wire, but Craig Cameron has agreed to do his Extreme Cowboy Race on the Saturday night of Expo. The event is limited to 20 riders and there are still some rider spots open if you want to join the fun. If you enter yet this week, there is a good chance you'll make the cut.

You’ve seen it on RFD-TV.

Now it’s your turn to play.

THE EXTREME COWBOY RACE

hosted by the legendary Craig Cameron

is coming to the Nebraska Horse Expo on Saturday night, March 12.

Twenty horse & rider teams will run a course of obstacles.

Riders are scored on their time and horsemanship.

Don’t miss the opportunity to ride in or watch this SPECTACULAR Expo Event.

The Extreme Cowboy Race flier

Limited to the first 20 entries. No contestants under age 13.

Complete the Registration Form & Waiver found online & send it in

for your chance to ride with Craig Cameron!

I know this Expo stuff must be kind of boring for you out-of-state readers. I'll get back to my regularly scheduled horse life soon!

As usual, the weather report: We had 4 inches of snow in Lincoln today. Driving home was treacherous until I reached the highway just 2 miles south of me and found it totally dry. The snow missed our place. I should go out and buy a lottery ticket! It was our lucky day.

Crunch Time

We are just three weeks away from the Nebraska Horse Expo. Usually by November and December, I am tired of meetings, tired of planning and swear this is my last year on the committee. And then we have our meeting at the event center where the Expo is held, and the smell of horse and the ambiance of the barn (yes, barns do have an ambiance) brings it all back and I am once again happy to be involved with Expo and working with such a fine group of other horse people who make it all happen.

The first year I was on the committee, I was responsible for clinicians, round pen demos, lectures, scheduling and t-shirts. Plus I bought two horses to have worked with by the clinician and I did a couple lectures on trail riding. I really did bite off more than I could chew.

The next few years, we got more volunteers and I started cutting back on my responsibilities. This year, I am still doing the scheduling and somehow, I also ended up in charge of the dance on Friday night. Now you all know I am the dancin' queen (not)!

This weekend I am working on the schedule to meet the deadline for our program. In addition, I am also working on the Saturday night feature and we are relying on a lot of assumptions and a little prayer. So considering I work best under pressure, I should be producing my best work yet. (Nervous laugh.)

Check out the Nebraska Horse Expo.

Our special guests are Craig Cameron, Van Hargis,

Jimmie Gibbs Munroe and Monte Bruce.

There is still time to submit your favorite photo for the Expo Photo Contest.

Or, you might want to participate in the NBHA Barrel Racing on Friday night

or our Youth Rodeo on Sunday.

Follow the above links for entry information.

And thank you for continuing to support the horse industry in Nebraska by attending our Expo.

Life on the Farm

Having missed the arctic blast, I arrived home to a chilly, but fair, 22 degrees. The only casualty from this last weather assault was the death of our rooster. Since he made it through the winter of hell (2010), I can only surmise that he meet his demise by hoof, not climate – most likely that of Butter, who I saw go after him on more than one occasion. I can’t say I blame Butter, if she was truly the perp, as he was a mean rooster. He had become a somewhat infamous barnyard icon around here making his mark on more than one of my kids’, their friends’ or cousins’ legs. He will be missed, for no other reason than we were so used to walking softly around him to avoid an unprovoked attack.

And for those who wonder if perhaps Bo finally got his rooster? He’s got an alibi. It happened overnight when Bo was tucked warmly in the house.

Ritz has become such a pest when I am grooming or saddling the horses, his impatience showing by circling my work area, trying to herd me along. So yesterday, when I tied Windy up to saddle, I also put a lead rope on Ritz and tied him to a post. I ignored his crying while I took no more than 5 minutes to quickly brush the grime off Windy and toss on her saddle. When I turned my attention back to Ritz, I noticed him wrapped in the lead rope with it in his mouth. “Cute,” I thought, as I pulled out my Blackberry to snap a picture of him. Before I could put the camera away, Ritz had gnawed through that lead rope and was free. I guess he showed me. Ah-ha! We’ll see how well he works a chain next time! Brat dog!

It was nearing 45 degrees and the big thaw was on. I picked out some dry spots in the pasture, driveway and arena to ride, but quickly bored of the mud and the muck and a somewhat feisty mare. When I came in to grab a bite to eat, I had an email from a friend, Mary, who was riding at her place not far from me and asked if I wanted to join her. She didn’t have to ask twice. I hooked up my trailer, loaded my horse and drove the short 20 miles to meet her at her home.

Mary’s rides and drives Morgan horses and has a good eye for horse flesh. She had her gelding, Duke, tied to the hitching post when we arrived. He is coming off an injury from last season and she is slowly trying to get more time on him now that he is sound. I saddled and we headed over the the CRP land across the road, blasting through some pretty deep snow drifts. When we got back onto the road, I noticed Duke had a cut on his foot, so we took him back and she quickly saddled her mare, Sarah, and we rode off once again.

This time we rode through the cornfields, the dirt (muddy) roads and up an old railroad bed. The wind was getting stronger, but the sun felt good on both our backs and for our disposition. My mare had settled down and I got the good ride I was looking for. We looped our way back through her nearly unincorporated home town, riding down its main street. We rode just shy of two hours, beating the sunset by only a half an hour or so.

I have decided I am going to send Windy over to my trainer, Brenda Messick, for a few weeks this spring. There are some things I would like fine tuned with her that I know Brenda can help with. It’s always fun to have someone else work with your horse, especially when they come back better as a result of such training.

Missing

It's been a week of back to back events that leave little time at home. Go to work, go to a basketball game. Go work work, go to a school concert. Go to work, go to a basketball game. I swear the schools try to kill the parents the last week before Christmas. And for good measure, the Big Fat Lying Weatherman throws in an ice storm just to keep things interesting.

We came home last night, after the last basketball game of the season, and I noticed tracks on the icy/snowy driveway. I commented to Case that I hoped those were dog tracks, but stopped and opened the door to the Durango and looked closer. Granted, the ground is hard ice, but I was pretty sure I was looking at horse tracks. Damn!

I ran into the house and changed shoes and headed to the barn. The gate to the corral was closed, which was a good sign, but there wasn't a horse to meet me, which was unusual. I walked toward the barn, praying they were huddled inside, but it was quiet. I turned on the light to find the barn empty.

Case and I jumped back in the Durango. After the last escape, I keep a couple halters and leads in the back. We followed the tracks out of the drive and across the gravel road. They appeared to have gone into the cornfield or the alfalfa field – it was hard to see in the dark and with the corn stubble and alfalfa, it was anyone's guess. John started driving the perimeter of the corn field and me, the alfalfa field. John called and had picked up their tracks in the cornfield, so I headed that direction, too. In the meantime, I called the sheriff to see if anyone reported seeing any horses. "No," he said. And told me he would make note of it in case anyone called.

It was so dark. John went north; I went west until I came to a fence line. As I followed it around, I saw what appeared to be a figure in the middle of the field. Yes, there they were. I didn't want to spook them and have them run toward the road & ultimately toward the highway, so I tried to stay in front of them. I stopped a distance away and started to talk to them through the window, calling them by name. Initially, they trotted away and we followed, keeping a safe distance. I then got out and walked toward them, continuing to talk to them. I reached Blue first and attempted to slip on the halter.

When I put halter and leads in the trunk of the Durango, I grabbed older ones that I didn't use much. Crap. I must not have checked for size because no way, no how was this one going on Blue's big head. Ginger had worked her way up and she can be skittish about being caught, but I had to get one of the herd bosses, Blue or Ginger, to get the rest to follow. Luckily, Ginger waited while I put my arm over her neck and slipped the halter on.

We started to make our way back across the field; I was leading Ginger, the herd following and Case behind the herd in the Durango, the headlights helping me to see a little better. The snow and ice on the ground helped, too, but the field was rough. It wasn't easy going. Then, something spooked the herd. They started to rush past me. It took a moment for me to realize what I was hearing with the sound of the ice and the cornstalks and I didn't have time to react. Ginger pulled from my grasp. When I tried to pull her in, I slipped on the ice and went down hard on my back. I heard horse hooves near me and then they were gone.

I slowly got up and looked for my shoe – somehow it had slipped off in the struggle. Man, did I hurt. I heard every vertebra in my neck pop upwards and felt the familiar tinge of pain in the tailbone, an old injury that had finally stopped hurting last spring. I slowly got up, caught my breath and Case pulled up next to me in the Durango and I got in. The horses had run into the night toward the road. I called John and gave him the new destination and prayed they went to the next field and not toward the highway. I was relieved to find them in the cornfield across the road.

I told John that Ginger still had a halter and lead on; I grabbed the other one and started walking toward them. I had Butter's attention and she met me halfway. I easily slipped the halter on her and John caught up with Ginger. The other horses fell in behind and we started the slow procession back to the corral.

I never worry too much when they are in the corral. It is pretty secure with the high panels interlocked and then each wrapped with wire. But, evidently not secure enough for a panicked draft horse. We surmise she was scratching her hind end on the panels and her tail became tangled in the wire. She must have freaked and in her struggle to free herself, brought down the panel. We found a big strand of her tail hair hanging on the panel.

As much as I damn the snow and ice, in this case, it was in my favor. Had I not seen the tracks, I wouldn't have realized the horses were out until daylight today. They probably would have stayed in that cornfield but you never know. I'm glad I didn't have to find out.

Expo - The Conclusion

The Mane Challenge consists of five events: Showmanship, Versatile Pleasure, Trail, Driving and Speed. My events were Showmanship, Pleasure and Trail. I had already gotten showmanship out of the way. Pleasure was next. Prinny is the western pleasure king; but his rider wasn’t necessarily the queen.

I typically ride with two hands. Riding with one hand was a challenge. And I didn’t realize until I practiced how busy my hands are. There aren’t any good pictures of my pleasure class and I couldn’t hit delete fast enough on the video that surfaced! My hands were so busy you would think I was crocheting! Right at the end, I found myself behind Deb W’s daughter, Heather. Her horse is a western pleasure deluxe model and Prinny fell quietly in behind him. Had we been behind them the entire time, I might have done better. But too little too late. We didn’t place in this event, but I hadn’t planned on it.

On Saturday morning, the first class and my last one for the team was trail. It’s slow and Prinny does it well. We walked the course on foot before the actual event. Cross a bridge. Check. Get mail from a mailbox. Check. Trot over logs. Yes. Back in an “L”. Yes. Lope. Sidepass. Ground tie and I’m done. This is doable. Not only does Prinny know this stuff, so do I! Windy and I get our mail every time I am out!


We cross the bridge spot on. Beautiful! We pick up the trot to the mailbox. Whoaaaaa. Then the fun begins.

I’m told I leaned left, Prinny went right. It is much funnier to hear Annette tell the story, but evidently my legs and seat were giving Prinny cross messages and I didn’t know it. I'd move him in, he'd move out. I'd move left, he'd back. Wiggle-worming toward the mailbox. I do recall making eye contact with someone in the audience right about the time I whispered an “S-bomb” to myself. I am sure they could read lips. Eventually – after what seemed like forever – I retrieved the mail.

From there we crossed the logs beautifully.

And backed in an “L”.

We loped to the log for a lovely sidepass.

And Prinny ground tied like a pro. We placed 5th in this class and I was thrilled. If only (if only, if only, if only) I hadn’t screwed up the mailbox. Prinny was THAT good in this class.

Overall, the Shoofly Pet Sitting team took 9th out of 12 teams. Not bad for our first show. My team mates did very well in their classes and should be proud of their efforts. And best of all, we had fun!

Expo - Day 2

The Mane Challenge has become a fan favorite at the Nebraska Horse Expo. It's open to any group of two to 4 horses who wish to form a team. Within the team, each horse/rider must compete in a minimum of 2 of the 5 events to demonstrate versatility of that particular horse. Each team may not have more than 2 horses in each event. Clear as mud? Actually, it’s not so complicated.

I participated on the Shoofly Pet Sitting team with my friends, Robyn on her horse, Coda and Jess with Cutter. Originally, I had planned to ride Windy and compete in Showmanship and the speed event. I’ve never shown Windy before and my worry was getting her to set-up correctly for Showmanship. The weather did not give me any breaks to get her ready. So I borrowed Joni's horse, Prinny, instead. A few weeks before Expo, we re-evaluated the horses we had on our team and changed my events to Trail, Western Pleasure and Showmanship.

Ali Johnson, Prinny’s usual girl, was my “horse show Mom”. We practiced showmanship as we waited in line to bathe Prinny. On Friday morning, we got some arena time to practice western pleasure. Prinny knew what he was doing. It was me who needed to learn the right buttons to press. I’m sure 21-year-old Prinny was thinking to himself “here we go again – another amateur!”

Showmanship was the first event on Friday. There were 22 participants in the class. Ali advised me to try to show in the first dozen. Other “moms” coached me from the sidelines. “Stay away from those cones,” they warned. Especially when pivoting.

My turn came. Walk to cone 1. Trot to cone 2. Pivot at cone 3. I swore I had given myself enough room for the pivot. But no! As we circled around, there was that damn cone underneath us! I kept a smile on my face as the voice in my head said “Oh, sh….!” Luckily neither Prinny nor I touched the cone.

We proceeded to the judge & then were asked to back up 5 steps and then stop and set-up. Prinny was perfect, as usual. The judge did her 15 second look/see as I followed her around the horse in exaggerated steps. It reminded me a little of when I was on the drill team. I kept wanting to point one toe in a pose when I stopped, but I didn’t. After being dismissed, we lined up with the other participants along the rail and waited until all entries were shown.

The judge made one more pass by our horses. As part of Showmanship, we followed the judge, changing sides as she passed, huge smiles in place and butterflies in my stomach. Six horses would place in this event. We waited patiently as the judge passed the results to the announcer.

I wasn't sure if the winners would be called first or if they would dismiss those who didn't place. Then it dawned on me that I didn't even know what my number was! I asked the girl next to me to read the number on my back. It was #139.


The announcer then said that he would read the numbers of those who placed, beginning with 6th place. Okay, good. Now I knew. And the next thing I heard was: “Sixth place goes to #139." Oh my God, that was us! Prinny and me! Number 139!

I had just placed 6th in my first horse show!

Expo - Day 1

Expo started last Wednesday evening for me. Case and I loaded up Windy and took off to Lincoln. I had a nice dinner with my son, settled my mare into a stall at the Event Center and plugged in my trailer to warm up the living quarters. After a quick trip to the Wal-Mart, Case and I “camped” for the first time in 2010! I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday on a cold March day.

We woke up Thursday morning to a couple of inches of snow on the ground and big flakes coming down. If it weren’t March and Expo weekend and if we weren’t still recovering from the winter of snow hell, it would have been lovely. Instead it was cold and damp and miserable. But the show must go on.

The Nebraska Horse Expo didn’t officially start until noon that Friday, but Expo staff and volunteers report early to help move in vendors and equine and set up booths and activities. I met with the sound guy early and turned him over to our sound experts. Next I delegated volunteers to set up the photo contest display for the judges who were arriving later that afternoon. It was old home week visiting with our vendors. Small talk of a trying winter and a nasty weather day, but everyone was excited for Expo. It was good to be out with horse people again.

Our school is on spring break, so after track practice McCain came to town with his friends to set up the t-shirt booth. After an early supper, we started bathing and grooming the horse I was competing with in the Mane Challenge. My friend Joni and her daughter brought horse show veteran, Prinny, for me to ride in what would be my first horse show.

More to come....

Nebraska Horse Expo News

For the last several years, I have had the honor of working with the Nebraska Horse Expo committee. It is coming up again quickly! Expo is held March 12-14 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. This year's featured guests are Tommie Turvey, Julie Goodnight, Richard Winters & expo favorite, Matt McLaughin. Check out Nebraska Horse Expo online!

Photo Contest
If you can't bring your horse to expo, you can still participate! Enter your favorite photo in for the Horse Expo Photo Contest. This event has long been an expo hit all because of photos taken by amateur photographers like us! There will be some fun prizes for the best photos! Click here to see how you can submit your photo.

The complete Expo schedule will be posted in a couple of weeks. Check back soon.

Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to volunteer a few hours of your time at Expo, there are still opportunities available. Contact information is available here.

Lessons with Matt
March 5 - 10, Matt McLaughlin will be giving private lessons at Chance Ridge in Elkhorn. He will work with all levels of riders both Western and English. Anyone interested in taking a lesson can email cindysmith@chanceridge.com to reserve your time. Each session is $110. What a great opportunity to work one on one with Matt!


In other news, I figure if I work really, really hard, I can have my house back together in "two weeks". (Isn't that what they kept saying in The Money Pit?) It's coming along slow, but it coming along.

Press Release re Expo

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL
AND THE NEBRASKA HORSE EXPO

The Nebraska Horse Council has been inundated with questions and comments relating to the unfortunate incident at the Nebraska Horse Expo last weekend in which a toddler was injured. In an effort to respond to these inquires we would like to offer the following:

The Nebraska Horse Council is a non-profit organization with the mission to unite, inform and represent Nebraska’s equine community. The purpose of the annual Nebraska Horse Expo is to provide a venue for equine enthusiasts and the public to obtain information and education about the equine industry.

The equine involved in the incident was an 8 month old mule colt. At the time of the incident the mule, its owner and other equine were in a staging area not intended for public display. The animals were waiting to move to the main arena in preparation for the evening “Parade of Breeds.” Efforts were made through the use of concrete barriers, signage, and event volunteers to create separation between vehicle traffic, pedestrians and equine traffic. Without the permission or knowledge of the owner, the mule colt was approached from behind by the child. No one representing the child’s family was asked to leave the Lancaster Event Center when they returned on Saturday evening with questions. They were provided with contact information for both the President and Vice-President of the Council and Co-Chairs for the Nebraska Horse Expo.

The Nebraska Horse Council feels deep sympathy and concern for the injured child. Our prayers are with her and her family for a speedy recovery.

Another Expo is History

Windy & I in the trail tack demo at Expo

Things I Learned At Expo

When pulling the big trailer, remember the mailbox.

Windy can become buddy sour in 2.4 seconds of stalling next to a strange horse

You really can rent three wireless sound systems 1 hour before show time!

Do not yell at the staff you’ll later need the most

Having my son ride my horse in a clinic wasn’t a good idea

You really can pull a horse or your friends’ kids to participate in a clinic on a moment’s notice

Be careful what you say when testing a microphone as you don't know where else it may be broadcasting.

Windy thinks mules are the devil

Never have your husband fetch a sound system that is plugged into the same electrical strip as the barrel racers clock… while barrel racing is in progress

My friends have my back

Show Sheen works on a dirty horse

Ariats are better than tennis shoes

There are 405,000 square feet in 5 buildings at expo

Walking from building to building all day long will not combat the calories taken in at the concession stand

You can charge beer if you order 4 bottles and have no cash

Windy thinks ponies with American flag stable blankets are the devil

I would not make a good bouncer, but John & Jess would

St. Bernard puppies stop people in their tracks

My friends remembered my birthday

The entire Expo Committee & volunteers are awesome!

People really do read my website & blog!

Expo Plans!

The Nebraska Horse Expo starts for me tomorrow! Although the doors don’t officially open until noon on Friday, the committee and volunteers will be at the Lancaster Event Center moving in horses, meeting our clinicians and guests and assisting vendors.

I’ll be doing my time between the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee booth and the Expo t-shirt booth. But my primary job will be walking the floors from arena to arena to make sure scheduling is running as planned. I wish I had a pedometer, as I would love to know how many steps I will be taking over the next four days!

I also hope to have time to watch my son ride in the Shrake youth clinics. And if I’m lucky, I’ll sneak away and ride in the flag presentation and Parade of Breeds on Saturday evening! On Sunday morning, I'll ride for Messick Tack's trail tack demo.

Our riding club, The Platte River Riders, will have a booth in the non-profit area! Stop by and pick up a ride schedule. You can also order a PRR t-shirt while at Expo.

It is 11 degrees right now with a “feels like” temperature of –7! It is miserable, but the rest of the week promises temperatures in the 40’s. That’s perfect expo weather! Any warmer and horse people would rather be riding! This is the coldest March that I remember for a long time. I got home late last night and didn’t plug in the truck and paid for it today! Who’d of thought you have to still be plugging in your diesel in March?

Just a reminder that the Nebraska Horse Expo will be held this Friday through Sunday, March 13 –15th. This year’s special guests are Ken McNabb, Julie Goodnight, Richard Shrake and Dianne Olds Rossi and her dancing horses! The Expo schedule is available online!

Preparing for Expo

The above picture was taken by my friend, Joni. She was on a sled (not a sleigh, a sled) behind her big horse, Cody! Taken with a cell phone, it was a great shot!

Thirty-one days until spring. Although that is just a date on the calendar and no guarantee of sunshine and warmth, leaving winter behind is like shaking a monkey off my back. Last week’s snow is still on the ground albeit it’s splotchy. It is suppose to warm up next week, so we will be boggy again for awhile again. There will be plenty of mud just in time to get Windy ready for the Nebraska Horse Expo!

There was only one year in the last several that we didn’t take a horse to Expo. And I really missed it! As busy as I am during expo, it’s refreshing to take a break, head to the barn and pick the stall or groom and just breathe horse scent for a while. (Okay, so John does the pickin' and I do the smellin'!) It will be Windy’s debut year at Expo. McCain will ride her in the youth clinics with Richard Shrake. I’ll ride her in the trail gear presentation by my trainer & friend, Brenda Messick. I’ll also ride in the Parade of Breeds on Saturday night. She’ll be filler for other clinics and presentations, as needed.

I asked the boys if they were interested in riding with Richard Schrake. I wasn’t sure if either would be keen on the idea and was surprised when McCain volunteered. Since he has never rode Windy that I recall, I mentioned he will have to ride before Expo so he familiarizes himself with her. That has yet to happen, but I’ll push. I want both of them to make a good showing and hoping he can pick up some tips from Richard, as well.

The farrier was here earlier this week and did three head. He’ll be back to do Windy and Butter the week before Expo. While I was in the barn getting the horses ready, I looked closely for signs of shedding, but nothing yet. Following Expo, Windy is going to Brenda’s for a spring tune-up and then riding season will officially begin. No doubt, she’ll be slick when she returns home.

If you live in the area, let me know if you plan to go to Expo this year. An anonymous poll is at the top of the page, in the right hand corner.

Nebraska Horse Expo 2009

It's been a busy week. For the last four years, I have been on the Nebraska Horse Expo committee. Among other things, my most important duty is being handed the names of all our equine exhibitors, all our presenters & special events, and all our clinics and put it on a schedule and make it work. This week has been crunch week! And it's not as easy as filling in the blanks.

There are always nuances to look for... making sure this person who participates in the Mane Challenge is not lined up to do a breed exhibit.... and the list goes on. It all works out in the end but it sure takes a lot to get there.

So my housework has been ignored (well, that's nothing new), my kids probably haven't bathed in a week, I haven't blogged for days (or read my favorite blogs!) and I'm seeing Excel cells in what little sleep I am getting.

And I wouldn't miss Expo planning for the world!

Nebraska Horse Expo will be held March 13 - 15 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln.

A Message to the Prince

Dear Prince Welch,

Thank you for gifting me the bells. They are not the devil! They are not evil! I didn't have one notion to spin or buck violently. I find them calming and relaxing.

Wanna put your big boy boxers on and come ride with me?

See you at Expo, you big stud!

Sincerely,
Windy Vasa

This just in from the Prince

Windy My Love,

I am so happy that you are bonding with the "Bells of Satan". I would love to ride along side of you, although I must ask you not to wear the bells. I feel that I may crap my big boy boxers and you may not find me nearly as handsome. I must warn you those bells could turn evil and cause you much harm, I recommend you buck as hard as you can until you free yourself from them . You will never have to wear them again after that, you will find that they will then be passed on to some other unexpecting soul. Please come and meet me at Expo, we will will stand side by side as spectator pass by in awe at our beautifulness.

Your True Love.....Prince

(The story of Prince & the bells is posted in the comments section)