Visitors can be entertained, shop and learn from scores of equestrian professionals at Horse World Expo.
The world of all things horses returns to the 25-acre climate-controlled Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA March 2-5. Horse World Expo, the east coast’s largest and best attended equestrian expo, features four days of non-stop education, entertainment and shopping. Scores of horses of all breeds and types and 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 features regional, national and international clinicians covering almost every topic of interest to horse owners and enthusiasts, competitions and presentations by regional horses and riders and one-stop, unparalleled shopping with everything imaginable for horses, riders and horse lovers…all in one huge, heated building.
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 is held the evenings of Fri., March 3 and Sat., March 4 in conjunction with the Expo and starts promptly at 8:30 pm. 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.
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. This exciting and entertaining competition features horse and rider combinations from throughout the region. They will be competing for cash prizes and will be judged on the quality of partnership at each obstacle.
Meet some very special horses! Five unbroke rescue horses embarked on a journey in December. Area rescues 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, 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 the competitors win as these horses will now be prepared to start a new life as adoptable and treasured riding partners.
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 accomplished horse trainers who attend the Expo present seminars on training by day, and dazzle audiences by night with their amazing performances in Theatre Equus (Friday and Saturday evening only). Among them are trainers Guy McLean, Braveheart Beasts, Equestrian Chaos, Jennifer O’Donnell, Dusti Dickerson, Deep Creek Farm Fjords, Diamond D Cowgirls, Unbridled Wings, Jeff Wilson and more. Those amazed by the performances during Theatre Equus can learn how they teach their horse to perform before crowds of thousands during the daytime Expo.
In addition to top equestrian clinicians and performers, the 20th annual Horse World Expo features hundreds of vendors, and equines of many breeds and disciplines. Vendors will fill more than 450 booths and occupy 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.
Hours for Horse World Expo: Thursday, March 2, noon to 8 pm; Friday, March 3, 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday, March 4, 9 am – 8 pm; and Sunday, March 5, 9 am – 5 pm. Daily admission (cash only) is $17 for adults and $7 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 3 and Saturday, March 4 is $17 to $29. Tickets are available at the show (while supplies last) or online at www.horseworldexpo.com.
The Farm Show Complex charges $10 per day for vehicle parking. For more information visit www.horseworldexpo.com or call the Expo Office at (301) 916-0852. The address for the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is 2300 N Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Limited vendor space may be still available.