The world of horses returns to the 25-acre climate-controlled Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA March 3-6. Horse World Expo, the mid-Atlantic region’s largest equestrian expo, features four days of non-stop education, entertainment and shopping. Scores of horses of all breeds and types and the nation’s leading equestrian clinicians and entertainers draw tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts from across the eastern United States and beyond.
Horse World Expo is two events in one. The Expo itself features regional, national and international clinicians covering virtually every conceivable topic of interest to horse owners and enthusiasts, competitions and showcases for regional horses and riders, and unparalleled shopping with everything imaginable for horses, riders and horse lovers under one roof. Theatre Equus, A Musical Equine Revue, is a professionally choreographed and scripted show in which humans and horses partner to perform remarkable feats of daring and beauty. Theatre Equus will be held the evenings of March 4 and 5 in conjunction with the Expo. Geared to all ages, Theatre Equus is an evening of family entertainment starring horses -- part Wild West show, part equestrian ballet and part equestrian theater. Performances by some of the country’s most highly trained horses are accompanied by music, enhanced lighting and narration.
The Trail Champions Challenge, held Saturday morning, is a timed and judged event in which competitors of all ages negotiate a difficult set of obstacles that test athleticism, horsemanship and the communication and bond between horse and rider. The exciting and entertaining competition features horse and rider combinations from throughout the region, competing for cash prizes, which are judged on the quality of partnership at each obstacle.
Meet some very special horses! Seven unbroke rescue horses embarked on a journey in December. Area rescues have partnered with area trainers to help these horses become Rescued to Stardom! Their journey began as untrained and unwanted horses. They beat the odds and found their way into the hands of caring rescue groups and now, after 90 days of training, watch these unlikely horses compete for cash and prizes by performing two freestyle routines. The competition will be held on Friday and Saturday. In the end, all of the competitors win as these horses will now be prepared to start a new life as adoptable and treasured riding companions.
Equi-Tainment! A Musical Equine Variety Show presents drill teams, musical freestyles, mounted archery, tricks and other exciting and entertaining displays of horsemanship. Other featured exhibitions are the Parade of Breeds and Stallion Avenue Demonstration, each held daily.
Many of the country’s most accomplished horse trainers present seminars on training by day, and dazzle audiences by night with their amazing performances in Theatre Equus (Friday and Saturday only). Among them are trainers Guy McLean, Pegasus Riders, Lindsey Partridge, Deep Creek Farm Fjords, Diamond D Cowgirls, Unbridled Wings, Jeff Wilson and more. Those amazed by the performances during Theatre Equus can learn from some of them, how they teach their horse to perform before crowds of thousands during the Expo.
In addition to top equestrian clinicians and performers, the 19th annual Horse World Expo will feature hundreds of vendors, and equines of many breeds and disciplines. Vendors will fill more than 450 booths and 179,000 square feet of exhibit space with an overwhelming selection of horse related merchandise for browsing and buying. Visitors can learn about a variety of breeds on Breed Row, and meet breeding stallions up close on Stallion Avenue and during the daily Parade of Breeds demonstrations. The latest in horse keeping technology will be featured at the show along with apparel, barns, artwork, books, equestrian vacations, feed, trailers, tack, training, schools, and much more.
Horse World Expo hours are: Thursday, March 3, noon to 8 pm; Friday, March 4, 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday, March 5, 9 am – 8 pm; Sunday, March 6, 9 am – 5 pm. Daily admission (cash only) is $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are admitted free. Tickets are available at the door, on the website at www.horseworldexpo.com, or by mail. Reserved seating for Theatre Equus, which begins at 8:30 pm and runs about 100 minutes on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 is $15 to $27. Tickets are available at the show (while supplies last) or online at www.horseworldexpo.com. The Farm Show Complex, Cameron and Maclay Sts., Harrisburg, charges $10 per day for parking. For more information, phone (301) 916-0852.