Midwest Horse Fair 2013 ~ part two

In addition to clinicians & entertainers (review here) various competitions & events, Midwest Horse Fair draws over 500 vendors!! Just when you think you've seen them all, you pass by another and wonder how you missed it. 

We visited with our perennial favorite's, and found new ones. Including a ranch from Wyoming, attending Fair for the first time. Nice folks. We are considering them for future travel, horseback riding/snow mobile. We would love to experience the Shoshone National Forrest! Has anyone been to Crooked Creek Guest Ranch?

We purchased our annual supply of Nemo's Horseshoer's Secret at an unbelievable savings. Farm & Fleet is a local store, that offers great deals at Fair. We also picked up a gallon of ShowSheen, and a second mounting block to leave down at the farm. Shopping Fair Tip: check this vendor first before buying basic supplies, they tend to be less. A comment I've heard repeated many times, from other shoppers who wished they had.

I can't say enough good things about these two vendors: Brute Ropes and Reed Tack. We are repeat customers of both, and highly recommend them. 

This year we are trying Brute's new portable/adjustable cross ties. Our boys are trained to ground tie, but we thought these would come in handy on the road for a variety of things. We also purchased a couple more lunge ropes for the trailer. We just want to go, and not worry about what we forgot to bring. Don't be surprised if I come home with their reins next year. I really want to give these a try, but not everything comes off the wish list at once. Brute Ropes have a lot of feel, and are well made. We love their ropes!

After years of looking at Reed Tacks chinks, we finally each ordered a pair! Material costs just keep going up, we decided it's now or never. With so many choices it was pretty tough to chose, but managed with their sound advice. It's great how this duo cares about what they put out there. It's not about the sale. We look forward to their arrival in the mail, and years of use. I also had good conversation with them about my saddle woes, and am considering having Nick make me one. I have to wait on this bigger purchase, and will give it more thought.

I got a different kind of education when I spent time learning from an Oneida Indian artist, their customs and beliefs are so interesting. All patina copper sculptures, some decorated with special beads. There were a couple pieces I wouldn't mind owning, but out of my price range.

We toured the live in trailers once again this year. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing that they recognize us...not in the position to make our dream come true, yet.

We also visited with Chase Dodd, and Richard Winters at their booths. Good conversation was had with both. We waited and watch as a group of 4H kids sold Richard a raffle ticket. They were so thankful & polite, he gave them his full attention. He purchase a ticket, signed their hat & shirts - and then did something that warmed our hearts. He gave them one of his DVD's, and told them to watch it together at their next 4H meeting. Now that's what it's all about, paying it forward to the next generation. What a great guy! Follow-up Fair Tip: I discovered Richard Winters has instructional YouTube video's, and plan to spend more time learning from this great horseman!

We really enjoyed Midwest Horse Fair 2013, and all the horse experiences it offers!! Let the countdown begin for 2014!

Midwest Horse Fair 2013 ~ part one

I am still floating in the aftermath that Horse Fair brings upon us all. Thoughts whirl around in my head, as I reflect upon experiences and all things horse. After three full days, it takes me a while to come back to reality. I feel fortunate to have such a wonderful event so close to home. Every year Midwest Horse Fair proves to be a little different, and yet many of the same things I enjoy return. To name one of my perennial favorite acts, Percheron Thunder. If you could see the smile on Jason Goodman's face, and feel the cheer joy, as he drives six gorgeous Percheron's while riding roman on his two wheel horses ~ you would know what I mean.

I'm not a big fan of standing on ones horse perse, but this feels different. Most are hoping their horses don't move, he expects it - and with speed. Jason is a great ambassador for the Percheron breed, and with his wife spends a lot of time talking horse with fans and giving back.

I originally planned to attend all the Western Dressage clinics held by Jeff Wilson but quickly learned, the presenter wasn't what I was looking for. Instead we gravitated towards attending Richard Winters clinics again. Some of his great messages were carried over from previous years. His practical advice is timeless. It's all about horsemanship anyways, the foundation of every discipline. Who can't use more of that? I sure can! Not only is Richard a great presenter of useful information, he is tactfully funny! This year he shared his clinics with his daughter Sarah, clearly a good horsewomen in her own right. Time will tell if she listens to his wise presentation messages, only a dad can deliver.

The Friday night PRCA Rodeo didn't disappoint a sold out crowd of 10,000. It had all the elements, including patriotism, skill, beautiful animals, danger, education, humor, camaraderie and more! The beasties got the best of many a cowboy, while others were victorious. Sitting only four rows away, I couldn't help but wish I had hauled my good camera in to capture the essence of the rodeo. I purposefully do not even bring my point & shoot to the Fair, so I can live in the moments with my husband. I don't want to watch fair through a lens, I want to experience it. But maybe next year, just for the rodeo.

We skipped the Saturday Night show for the first time. From what I've heard, we didn't miss much. They just aren't as good as they used to be. Altho I would have enjoyed watching Richard & Sarah perform together. The 2014 theme is "Horse Tales", as in fairy tales, maybe there is hope?

We stumbled across a Chase Dodd clinic when he stepped up to cover for some presenters, and were pleasantly surprised! Chase had to ad lib, and ended up combining portions of his Body Control & Advanced Body Control clinic into one. He did a great job breaking movements down, showing both sides of the arena, and explaining what he was doing & why. We found him refreshing, understandable, and liked how he interacted and answered questions from the crowd. Watch for this upcoming horseman, he knows his stuff. I finally figured out why I recognized him, we watched him win the Mustang Challenge a few years back.

After last years disappointing lead change clinic, we gave Al Dunning another try in Reining Rider Skills.  Same thing, different clinic. I wasn't there to watch him ride, which he clearly does very well, I was there to learn. With all due respect, we walked away with nothing. If they bring him back again we won't waste our time. I can watch him ride on TV any day, it doesn't feel any different in person.

They also brought a roping duo from out West. I couldn't keep my hubby awake, and he is more interested in roping then I am! We understand they had a rough time just getting to fair due to a big snowstorm, and were riding strangers horses. Roping isn't the most exciting thing to watch in the world, but it can be. We waited as looong as we could stand listening to them talk about themselves. It went on forever. Watching a rope be thrown over and over and over again, only teaches me that you can throw a rope. I get it, and already knew that. Break it up. Make it interesting. Break it down. Sigh.

Speaking of breaking down, the Aussie Dan James did a nice job of it at one of his liberty work clinics. He explained reasoning, using selected participants and their horses, and added a twist of humor to bring it home. Wish we could have seen more of Dan's liberty progressive clinics, but even with three whole days at fair, we miss a lot.

For those of you that attended, what were your favorite shows & presenters?

If you've read this far, then you already know mine ~ BIG thumbs up for Percheron Thunder! Richard Winters! Chase Dodd! Dan James! and always the Rodeo!! Thanks for the memories & sharing your valued knowledge!! More Midwest Horse Fair experiences, what we hauled home, and what we didn't, to come in review ~ part two.

Midwest Horse Fair 2011 in review

We spent all day Friday and Saturday at the horse fair last weekend. It was a mixed bag of not so good weather, in part likely the cause for what seemed like lower attendance compared to recent years, altho it was plenty busy.

My husband and I both agreed, the best part of fair this year was Richard Winters clinics. We soaked up "Fundamentals of Reining" and "Ride like a Horseman; Skills to Increase You & Your Horse's Comfort Zone". Richard is so practical, and adds good humor to his presentation's. He makes it about the horse. Local riders helped demo, and he did a fantastic job of working them into the clinic. Richard has an endearing way of highlighting other's/horse's and not himself, which was also obvious at last years Wind Rider Challenge finals. We had a family commitment on Sunday, and couldn't watch the finals this years.

We only caught one other clinic, Mike Majors "Training your Horse for Lead Changes & Spins"  it was pretty painful to watch. He obviously knows his stuff, but needs help on presentation. We felt sorry for the (same) local riders, who stood on the side lines for 98% of the time...Mike seems like a really nice guy and has a lot to offer, hopefully he'll figure out how to share it with others at a big venue.

We really enjoyed the Friday night Rodeo, as usual. Saturday's Grand Prix jumping not so much. We watched the first round, and left at half time. If they bring it back a third year in a row, we won't go. It wasn't well attended (only half full) compared to the rodeo & last year's Grand Prix.  It was really impressive to see it the first time, we truly enjoyed it - but for someone who isn't into jumping it was waaay too similar to sit through two years in a row, at the end of a long day. During half time Tommy Turvey did a shameful act of repeatedly wacking his horse reeeally hard in the shins for not bowing on command...he lost a lot of respect, and fans. What a jerk!! Bad call on his part, especially since he had such a great horse/dog act Friday night at the rodeo. If Midwest invites him back, they'll be sending the wrong message...

It was fun to see some horses I remember from the Mustang Challenge, including sweet Remington.

I am super happy to say Texas Thunder was back! Last year they had announced retirement, likely due to the economy. I never get tired of watching that absolutely amazing hitch, and Jason's Roman Riding is second to none. Not a big fan of Roman Riding perse, but Jason is just plain having fun - have you seen the grin on that man's face? Read what they did for a local kids group here.

Our trainer Patty from Iron Horse teamed up with Kathye's Equine (a new business, but longtime local expert saddle fitter/exhibitor) and shared a booth. I revamped Patty's website using her existing provider's web program, just in time for fair.

Of course it wouldn't be a complete Horse Fair without the shopping! I really didn't have anything on my wish list that I needed, but was told by our trainer to look for 2" blunt rowel spurs. I've never ridden in spurs, but will learn how to use them as an extension of my leg (gently, because I won't use them any other way). We had a ton of fun meeting Todd from Bowman Custom Spur, our farrier happened to be chatting with him when we stopped by while on our spur search. Interesting guy, who really cares about his craft. After years of searching for a decent non-bling rowel necklace, and finding nothing - including at this fair, Todd agreed to make one for me. Pretty excited! Not ready for custom spurs, but I'll take a mini-jewelry version. I had to look hard, and found these:

I wasn't looking for pretty, how long do you think they will stay shiny? Let me answer that, not long. To be honest I am not crazy about the whole spur thing, but if Koda & I are going to spin then I am going to need to learn to roll. First things first, here they are on me:

Last year at fair I got a good deal on a light brown scalloped belt, and have worn it every time I ride/work with horses for the past year. It has become comfortably soft, and doesn't look any worse for the wear. I could use a darker version "for good" if they had it, and they did. Funny how the buy list grows. I haven't changed out the buckle on either, maybe next year?

We visited several times with Nick from Reed Tack who was tooling at the show. Nice guy. We both bought spur straps from him, and will keep him in mind for other stuff. He is very knowledgeable, and we liked the quality. Here are my straps:

Brad got a couple hand-made lunge ropes from Brute Ropes. I was still searching for the elusive quality rowel necklace, and never did visit the booth. Brad is thrilled with these smooth well built ropes:

We also got a super deal, enough to make it worth hauling out to the truck, on a couple buckets of Nemo's Horseshoer's Secret. I think we did pretty good, and more importantly we learned & enjoyed the fair! I am already looking forward to Midwest Horse Fair 2012!!

we interrupt this life...

...to bring you 3 days of nothing but horse at the Midwest Horse Fair! The only bad part of this weekend is that it didn't include Nemo/Koda. We miss them a lot. We look forward to riding them twice this week. I talked to our trainer Patty, she said they have been training outside and the boys were having another good week. I was glad to hear Koda was doing better with his bit.

We did the majority of our shopping at Fair on Friday, and found many good deals! Friday night PRCA Rodeo sold out. Personally, other then the hands-down funniest clown ever, I wasn't impressed with PRCA for various reasons. A clock/horn or something other then delayed announcing of the contestants timing after the fact would have been a good idea, especially when our coliseum has these available. Nothing against the announcer, he was fine - but seriously they could do better - this is a timed event, in front of a huge crowd. Guess I've seen a lot of rodeo's, and expect more in this situation. Saturday's Grand Prix jumping was fun to watch. It was complete with HUGE bright jumps, ramped up tall warmblood horses, and riders with nerves of steel.

I'm not sure what my favorite part of Fair was this year?? It might have been the freestyle duet routine performed on Sunday by 15 year old Moriah, with celebrity Richard Winters. Moriah won the Midwest Horse Fair Wind Rider Challenge. We saw a lot of Richard at fair, and liked his style. Ruben Villasenior's Saturday Bosel clinic was good too, as was his cute intermission performance with his young 10 year old daughter on Saturday night (both riding stallions). Ruben also performed with his Kiger Mustang stallion on Friday night. That Kiger stallion is gorgeous, and sooo well behaved - he was drawing a lot of attention. He is only three, and has been with Ruben training for about a year. He used him at his clinics, as well as some of his performances. If you were at Fair this year, what was your favorite part??

Unfortunately, I have no visuals to share. I purposely left my camera at home, so I could live the fair instead of watch it through a lens. I checked youtube, but found none of the above performances posted - yet. Think about horsin' around and joining in the fun next year! Midwest Horse Fair has presenters/participants from as far away as Canada & Oregon, and is always held the second weekend in April.