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Horse Expo Celebrates 5th Anniversary With Record Attendance

October 19, 2008

Chilliwack, BC --- The Mane Event horse expo and trade fair ended it’s 5th appearance at Chilliwack’s Heritage Park having welcomed, entertained and educated a record number of attendees.

“There is an incredible thirst for knowledge amongst the horse community,” said show organizers, after tallying up the attendance over the three days of approximately 27,000. “We are just pleased that the Mane Event can fill that niche, and hope that people keep coming back year after year.”

Over 100 hours of equine education with renowned horse trainers and clinicians covering the disciplines of Dressage, Reining, Jumping and Horsemanship drew very large standing-room only crowds at many of the events. That was especially true of the Trainers Challenge sessions which saw a new Chilliwack champion emerge. Ken McNabb of Wyoming accumulated the most points over three days of working with a 2-year-old mare that easily negotiated the mandatory tasks in Sunday’s Trainers Challenge Final. They came out ahead of well known BC-based trainer and three-time champion Doug Mills, whose gelding also demonstrated a huge amount of progress through the training sessions. Also contending the Trainers Challenge was Charles Wilhelm of California, creator of Ultimate Foundation Training and a former Mane Event Trainers Challenge winner from the Washington expo.

During his final demonstration McNabb said this Trainers Challenge will also be one of his greatest memories. After accepting the champion trophy he graciously acknowledged that the horse that was assigned to him through a draw, the only mare out of the three, was an excellent prospect to work with. “I probably drew the best horse,” he said.

The Mane Event is known for bringing in the top international clinicians, and this year was no exception. The line-up included six- time Canadian Olympic dressage competitor Cindy Ishoy and George Morris, recently back from Hong Kong where he was chef d’equipe for the U.S. Gold Medal Olympic show jumping team. His presentations drew huge crowds, as well as a lineup of people following his presentations, eager to speak with the show jumping legend who has trained some of the world’s top riders over the past 50 years.

Horsemanship clinics were presented by Stacy Westfall, Steve Rother and Jonathan Field. Jeff Morse of Richmond, MA (Driving) and Dana Hokana of California (Western Pleasure) and clinician Robyn Hood were also huge draws. The large trade fair featured a wide range of equine products including tack, trailers, hats, boots, fencing, supplements as well as information booths featuring Breed Associations and Riding Clubs and Associations.

“We’re very happy that this year was our five-year milestone, and a very successful milestone,” said show organizers. “But every year is a celebration. Maybe we’ll make our anniversary a really big deal when we reach ten years.”

The Mane Event makes its next stop in Red Deer, AB April 24 – 26, 2009, and will include a bull riding clinic for the first time, led by Gary Lefflew. Al Dunning (Reining, Cutting and Working Cow) and Gigi Bailey (Hunter under Saddle) have also been confirmed. The Trainers Challenge will feature 3-time Champion Doug Mills of BC, Patrick Hooks of Oklahoma and Mel Hyland, a well-known Alberta horseman and Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee.

The Mane Event returns to Chilliwack next year October 23 – 25. Visit www.maneeventexpo.com for details.

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