(Liz to assist a finalist and a prize donated by Dave Genadek) PENNSYLVANIA HORSE WORLD EXPO
News Release For more information: Stephanie Shertzer Lawson, (717) 509-9800/ [EMAIL PROTECTED] December 12, 2007 Pennsylvania Horse World Expo Adds Wind Rider Challenge The Hottest New Cross Disciplinary Competition in the US! Pennsylvania Horse World Expo attendees who've paid close attention during the seminars on horse training may have been inspired to go home and teach their horses some new skills. Now the Expo, which will be held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center inHarrisburg, PA, February 21-24, is giving those attentive students a chance to shine in the spotlight, win valuable prizes and ride with world-famous clinicians. The Wind Rider Equestrian ChallengeT, which is coming to the sixth annual Pennsylvania Horse World Expo for the first time, is presented by Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard. The Challenge is open to any rider age 18-plus from any discipline. Up to 36 riders will be selected to compete with their own horses on a course that tests the cooperation, trust and understanding between horse and rider. The challenge course will be made up of 4 or 5 elements drawn from the following list: horse and rider teams will be asked to canter (or gait) circles while rating speed, jump a two foot jump, trot or gait while balancing an object in one hand, back through and around barrels, sidepass, negotiate ground poles, perform a balanced halt, turn on the haunches or turnaround, leg yield, open and close a gate, and complete a ring joust. Riders will be judged on the horse's willingness, accuracy, good horsemanship and equitation. Each of the top three contestants will be paired with an internationally known clinician for the final challenge round, which includes a new challenge course, followed by a two to four minute freestyle pas de deux that each team will have only 24 hours to develop, perfect and ride. The initial rounds will be held Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23, and the finals Sunday, February 24. US Dressage Federation silver medalist and former head trainer for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions Matt McLaughlin will assist one of the finalists. Julie Goodnight, known for her ability to combine natural horsemanship techniques with the principles of classical riding, will assist another. Elizabeth Graves, who has 27 years of show ring experience as a competitor and a judge with both gaited and non-gaited breeds, will assist the third finalist. The Wind Rider Champion will win a custom made saddle from About the Horse, to be specially fitted to the champion horse/rider team. The Wind Rider Reserve Champion will receive a $1,000 Orthoflex Saddlery shopping spree, and the Wind Rider Runner Up will win a $250 Professionals Choice shopping spree. Riders must enter by mail for receipt by February 1. For information and application visit: http://www.twoasonehorsemanship.com/WindRider_Entry%20info_PA08.pdf or phone (845) 692-7478. The Pennsylvania Horse World Expo combines top equestrian clinicians and performers, hundreds of vendors, and equines of all breeds and disciplines. Tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts will attend the weekend of non-stop seminars, shopping and entertainment. All seminars including the Wind Rider Equestrian Challenge are included in admission. For tickets and information visit www.horseworldexpo.com or phone (301) 916-0852. Please feel free to forward! Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
