Note: Unfortunately Michael Tokaruk will not be able to attend this year due to a competition scheduling conflict.  The Hunter/Jumper clinician will be announced shortly.
Look for the to find the Trainer Challenge participants! 
Arkansas' competition resulted in a tie and both competitors will join us in Virginia!!
 

Randy Abernathy - General Training

Sponsored by

Randy Abernathy has over 20 years experience working with horses. He grew up on a small farm in Virginia where his family farmed, raised cattle and horses. He has been riding since the age of 10. Randy has been very fortunate to be able to study under and learn from some of the best horsemen in the world. Randy conducts clinics in the US as well as Europe. He has performed at expo’s and has been helping people with their horses for many years. He tries to help people think about their horses differently. He knows that once a horse’s owner changes the way he or she thinks about horses, that improves the horse’s life forever. Trying to understand the way horses think and their language has been a lifelong pursuit of Randy’s. Now, not only is Randy becoming recognized and respected as a horseman but as a spiritual teacher as well. He realized along time ago that your horse is merrily a reflection of what you know and understand about them. When you change the way you think, it changes every aspect of your life from how you get along with horses to how you get along with people.

Randy was selected as one of the trainers for the 2006 East Coast Trainer Challenge.

www.randyabernathy.com

Ann Mary Bettenson, Saddle Fitting

Ann Mary Bettenson, Saddle Fitting

Ann Mary Bettenson grew up in England where she took her British Horse Society qualifications in 1988. A varied background in the horse world that has included working with distance horses in Spain, show jumpers, race horses and carriage horses eventually led her to the Royal Mews in 1994 where she met the Queen’s Master Saddler.  Since then, Ann Mary has continued working with horses as well as expanding her saddle fitting knowledge. Moving to Canada in 1997, she was the manager of a saddlery in Ontario where she began her relationship with County Saddlery.  After moving to the States in 1999 and becoming certified by the Master Saddlers Association in 2000, Ann Mary continued as a specialist for County Saddlery.  A student of equine biomechanics in so many disciplines enables Ann Mary to truly understand the needs of both the horse and rider when fitting this most crucial piece of equipment, the saddle.

Cindy Brown, Nutrition

Cindy Brown, Nutrition

Cindy has been involved in applied equine nutrition for over 25 years.  She has a degree in Animal Science from Ohio State and extensive experience in the field of equine nutrition.  She spent 10 years in farm management, 5 years as an independent nutrition consultant, and 5 years with a national feed company before joining CFC Farm & Home Center where she has been Horse & Pet Specialist for 9 years.

Ed Dabney:  Training, Colt Starting

Winner of NC and VA 2007  East Coast Trainer Challenge! 

Ed Dabney:  Winner of NC Trainer Challenge!  Training, Colt Starting

A fifth-generation horseman, Ed Dabney has an unusual depth of experience.  Throughout his life in the ranching, motion picture and training industry, Dabney has held positions as varied as ranch cowboy, rodeo competitor, wilderness outfitter and hunting guide, college instructor for colt starting, instructor of classical equitation, horse trainer, riding instructor, producer of instructional horsemanship videos and nationally acclaimed clinician. 

Ed Dabney has studied under masters of classical equitation and has incorporated into his teaching the methods of the famous European riding schools of 16th and 17th centuries.  Dabney’s international clinic schedule includes his foundational Gentle Horsemanship techniques featured on Ed’s first DVD series “The Six Keys to Harmony” along with offering clinic formats as varied as Ranch Roping, Fear Management and Classical Seat Development. 

Visit Ed's web site www.eddabney.com

Dr. Shane DeWitt, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM

Tommy Garland - General Training, Arabians

Winner of 2006 Virginia East Coast Trainer Challenge

Moderator in 2008 VA Trainer Challenge

Winner of 2006 East Coast Trainer Challenge at the Virginia Equine Extravaganza and 2008 Road to the Horse Challenger!

Native Virginian Tommy Garland grew up around horses, and has followed in the footsteps of his horse trainer father. As a child Tommy rode hunter/jumper and worked and trained at his father’s training facility. In 1985 Tommy began working with Arabians and eventually focused on Western Pleasure. Over the years Tommy has become a renowned Arabian trainer, having worked with some of the best Arabian show and breeding barns in the country. His very impressive win list included the 2005 U.S. Arabian National Purebred Western Pleasure Junior Horse Champion on Midnight Magnum, owned by Dick Jenkins. While Garland concentrates mainly on Arabians, he is well versed in many disciplines. Tommy says the secret to making a top western horse lies in making something so hard look easy. He strives to have his horses look soft and relaxed and enjoy what they are doing. Tommy is based out of Powhatan, Virginia where he operates a 38 stall training facility, training both horses and riders in a variety of disciplines.

We are most proud of the fact that Tommy was the winner of the 1st East Coast Trainer Challenge at the Virginia Equine Extravaganza and was subsequently selected as a 2008 participant in the prestigious Road to the Horse Competition, as well as invited back as a 2009 participant facing off against John Lyons and Richard Winters.

Learn more about Tommy at www.tommygarland.com

Debbie Hanson - Crime in the Horse Industry

Kenny Harlow - Training with Trust

Kenny Harlow - Training with Trust

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Culpeper, Virginia, Kenny now resides with his wife, Missy, at his training facility, Cedar Run Ranch in Cumberland, Virginia. It is at his Cedar Run Ranch that Kenny provides apprenticeship and intensive certification programs as well as private training sessions.

Kenny and his Paint gelding “Blue” travel throughout the eastern United States doing five-day symposiums, clinics, expos, demonstrations and training sessions. He is internationally known and has successfully completed an eight-day clinic tour in England, which was hosted by the AQHA UK. Kenny teaches 17-20 clinics per year and has worked thousands of horses. For the past ten years, Kenny and "Blue" have participated at top-rated events such as Horse World Expo in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the Festival of Champions and have attended Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and Ohio.

Kenny has been featured on the national television shows “Hard Copy” and “NBC Weekend Today Show” with Jodie Applegate. Additionally, in September 2004 the Washington, DC affiliate of the Fox network did a segment on their morning news with Holly Morris which showcased Kenny and his training methods. He has also been featured on “Horse Talk” radio show aired in Denver, Colorado and the Cablevision show “Hoofbeats.” Kenny has been featured in Chronicle of the Horse, Horse World Magazine, The Northeast Equine Journal, Horse News, Horse Connection, Equine Journal, and Virginia Horse Journal, as well as many other newspapers and horse publications. For the last year and a half Kenny has produced a monthly training article in Southeast Equine Monthly. Kenny’s clinics benefit numerous 4-H clubs and non-profit organizations such as The Pennsylvania Equine Council, The Retired Standardbred Foundation, and various other horse councils, horse clubs, and breed associations. In addition, he has conducted clinics and training sessions at numerous schools and universities.

Kenny is a certified John Lyons Trainer and has also studied training and riding under Richard Shrake, as well as top trainers in the disciplines of dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumper.  Kenny’s specialty is working with problem horses and starting unbrokes. He proves that clear communication and patience is the key to solving some of the most difficult of problems. Kenny’s “Training with Trust” methods allow him to build a relationship with the horse in a way that encourages compliance.

Visit Kenny at www.kennyharlow.com

BJ Hartmann - Equine Massage and Alternative Therapies

Barbara "BJ" Hartmann has been an equestrian instructor and trainer for over 35 years, specializing in physically and mentally traumatized horses, frightened riders and evaluation of improper behavior and movement assessment.  "I work with all disciplines:  Hunter/Jumpers, Dressage, Saddleseat, Western, Racehorses and more..."

Since 1996 she has been giving demonstrations, lectures and sessions at various locations -  horse facilities, private farms, 4-H clubs, pony clubs, dressage clubs, Horsefest Ohio, therapeutic riding centers, Findlay University, national expo's including the Horse World Expo, Equine Affair and also the North Carolina Expo.  She has also competed in the Great Lakes Modern Pentathlon competition, a five-sport event involving fencing, pistol shooting, swimming, running and horse show jumping.

Barbara completed her video production in 2001 called Grooming For The Health Of Your Horse.  This excellent video shows how to combine acupressure and sports massage into a daily grooming routine, which will improve a horse's productivity and performance.

She is a mother of three, and after competing and playing college basketball years ago she has continued the love of this sport by helping coach a local basketball team.  Barbara has been around horses since the first grade and competed in both the hunter/jumper circuit and Pinto circuit as a youth.  After being crowned Pinto Queen of Ohio she was in a very serious car accident that left her partially disabled, which in turn led her to alternative modalities which have helped her success in her current profession.

Barbara "BJ"  Hartmann is the owner of Miracle Farm, Ohio 's first rehabilitation facility that merges traditional therapies with alternative modalities for horses, dogs and people.  Miracle Farm is the home of Alternatives For All, the company that she founded in 1995.  She attended Lakeland Community College and Cleveland State University .  She is certified and trained in Human Sports Massage, Chiropractic Assisting, Equine Acupressure Level's 1 & 2, Equine Sports Massage, Geobiology Research, Canine Acupressure Level1, Reiki Level 1 and small computer programming.  She is the author of the video production Grooming for the Health of your Horse and the just-released book, The Missing Link - Understand the True Connection Between Horse and Rider.  She has been featured on the radio and published in Enlightenment's Magazine, Healthy Referral.

BJ's Topics

1.     Grooming for the Health of Your Horse- Learn from ancient wisdom how to groom your horse in a way to help stimulate good health and well being. This is an introduction to both equine acupressure and equine sports massage.  This demonstration shows how to incorporate these techniques and information into the daily grooming routine for the heath and well being of your horse.  This information is beneficial for both beginner and advanced horsemen. 

2.    The Missing Link-Understanding the true Connection Between Horse and Rider –This riding demonstration explains why correct rider position is critical not only in the show ring but also crucial for the wellness and longevity of your horse.  This is a biomechanical evaluation of both the horse and rider with explanations of different physical therapy exercises to help the horse find his true cadence, access flexion of his back, and have the ability to create proper rotation of his spinal column.  This information is beneficial for all level of riders and for any discipline. 

3.     Evaluation for the Need of Equine Sports Massage-Starting from head to toe I will demonstrate how a certified Sports Massage Therapist determines if a horse needs to have a massage.  I critique all of the different area on the horse to see if there are any areas of muscle tightness or soreness.  I explain not only how and why a sports massage would be beneficial for a horse but I also explain when it is not.    

4.  A-Z In Alternative Therapies- .  Learn about all of the different alternative therapies used to help horses and all species. Starting at A, I will explain the different therapies used like Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Bach Flowers, Geobiology, Magnets, Massage, and many more.  

5.     Explanation of the Different Strokes used for Deep Tissue Sports Massage-While using a horse to demonstrate on, I will explain the positive effects of different deep tissue sports massage.  I will describe and demonstrate the different massage strokes used when giving a horse a sports massage.  I will explain when and why these different strokes are used and also show the areas that are in need of a massage on the horse that is being used for the demonstration.  This demo is normally done in a small arena or round pen with a horse that has worked hard and would love to have a relaxing massage.

Scott Holmes - Arena Footing

Colleen Kelly - Dressage Coach and Judge, Rider Biomechanics, Vaulting, Balance

If you like to have fun while you learn, Colleen is the clinician to see!  Biomechanics Lecturer Colleen Kelly, MISRB, MISBS, EFA - NJAS Official Judge, President, Vaulting Victoria, started her career in exercise physiology, and now, some 30 years later, is one of most sought-after speakers around the world.

After 8 years in research with the University of NSW, and as the previous Spokeswoman for the WorkCover Authority of NSW, Technical Delegate & head gear checker for the Australian National Titles, Colleen’s elite lecture circuit includes the Equestrian Federations of Australia, New Zealand & Canada and Championship Federation Events.

Her easy way of connecting to crowds of all ages, and the fact that seat & posture applies to all horse sports, has seen her invited many times to return to speak at world-class conferences such as Sporthorse Expo, EquineXpo and the world's largest trade fair: Equitana.
If they say "you get it from your family", then Colleen's family history was always going to see her raise to the top. Colleen's great grandmother Mary Louise Berry (b.1836) was well known for training animals and breaking horses, and, probably because of her petite size, was unable to do the rough "rope them down" methods. This kind method of breaking was followed by Colleen's Grandfather, Alan Manuel. Colleen has always trained animals learning carefully from her mother, Gwen Kelly who not only was a master horsewoman, but able to train trick animals - even able to train cats to do every animal trick you can think of!

Colleen owned, trained and performed with the well known 'Rex the Wonderhorse', and Patch the Wonderdog at shows and performances around Australia.

Colleen always rode, but first started riding seriously in endurance riding, later switching to the fun of polocrosse and doing a few highly successful campdrafts, then for many years showing with her famous show horse "Thendara Old Times". After the massive 18hh Old Times was injured & scared in a paddock accident, Colleen switched her training talents to dressage, and now is the Trainer and President of both the Vaulting Victoria riders and horses.

Colleen has judged at Agricultural & Royal Shows, State Titles and National Championships in arabs, appaloosas, quarter horses, warmbloods, eventing and dressage, and has many pupils on State and National Squads around the world.

Now settled in Melbourne, Australia, Colleen and her partner Nick Tsopanis have a team of roughly 15 horses from champion ponies to massive Holsteiners, the Victorian Vaulting horses, and has FEI level schoolmasters for visitors.

Colleen is well-known for receiving a remarkable 100% in her Official Judge's Exam, however it’s her “Irish Sense of Humour” and fun presentations that keep audiences around the world laughing, and has seen her awarded with 3 separate awards from Riding for Disabled.

www.colleenkelly.com

John Lyons - America's Most Trusted Horseman

Debi Metcalfe – Horse Theft and Horse ID

Often referred to as the “John Walsh” of the horse industry, Debi Metcalfe is perhaps the most recognized expert in the field of horse recovery, theft prevention and horse identification.

More than just a pasture fence was broken when thieves took Idaho, from Debi Metcalfe’s husband in Shelby, North Carolina, in 1997. Important ties binding her family together were stressed by the abduction of a horse they viewed as a member of their family. They reacted with confusion—people still steal horses?!—and fear. When she realized local law enforcement considered her family’s loss a minor matter, she took action.

Debi began what would prove to be one incredible journey. Her quest led she and husband Harold into the dangerous world horse thieves inhabit. Along the way she discovered unexpected allies and recovered Idaho in a church parking lot 51 weeks later in Tennessee.

She didn’t see it coming but Stolen Horse International had started forming itself as soon as she sent out her first plea on the Internet by email to anyone who would listen. Little by little people joined this unnamed group linked together by big hearts, kind hearts and broken hearts.

Stolen Horse International, Inc., located at www.netposse.com, sometimes referred to as NetPosse or SHI, is a one-of-a-kind, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with hundreds of thousands of visitors to the website each year. Information ranging from stolen horse listings to theft protection, from recovery tips to disaster planning and much more are on website. NetPosse, a volunteer group of people who forward IDAHO Alerts for missing horses via email, print flyers and post in their communities, and watch for stolen horses at auctions, numbers into the thousands and is responsible for many of the recoveries.

Debi’s book, Horse Theft: Been There, Done That, is a must read addition to every horse owner’s library. Stolen Horse International, Inc. has been featured in many international magazine articles such as America’s Horse, Dressage Today, Horse and Rider, Paint Horse Journal, Equus, Practical Horseman, The Appaloosa Journal, as well as television newscast and shows. Debi, recently featured on the cover of The Gaited Horse magazine, can be seen on RFDTV on Best of America by Horseback and HorseCityTV’s In the Barn series. She has presented programs at all the Equine Affaires, Equine Extravaganza’s in NC and VA, and many more throughout the US. Debi has been a contributing columnist for PhelpsSports.com and does a radio segment on Monday nights with host Tom Seay of Best of America by Horseback. She has also been on radio with Rick Lambe, Jim Campbell and Lisa Ross-Williams.

Debi is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and lives on a farm in North Carolina with her husband, Harold, and son, Casey. The entire Metcalfe family has been instrumental in the growth of Stolen Horse International and continues to contribute to the organization, including daughter Cory, who assists with public relations and copy editing.

www.netposse.com

Vicky Sherry Moore - Getting Started, Basic Safety

Vicky Sherry Moore - Getting Started, Basic Safety

Vicky has been a riding instructor for over 25 years. Vicky specializes in beginner riders, emphasizing safety in the horse experience.  Vicky teaches both children and adults and enjoys the opportunity to share her love of the horse with people that are new to the horse experience. Vicky studied Equestrian Science at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri and has been a member of the American Riding Instruction Association since 1993.

Vicky resides in Hampton, Virginia. She and her family ride train and show their own horse in the Tidewater area horse show circuit. Vicky is available for clinics and lessons. You may contact Vicky at redhorse1996@earthlink.net.

Kate Norris - Pasture Management

Kate Norris - Pasture Management

Kate Norris, a life-long horse owner, graduated from Virginia Intermont College with a BA. in Horsemanship in 1995.  She has been employed by the Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District since 1999.  She began working with the Conservation District as a Conservation Specialist.  Combining her expertise in horse farm management with an interest in natural resource conservation she subsequently led a very successful outreach program in the horse community.  In November 2002 she was promoted to District Manager at the Conservation District where she continues her work in the agricultural community while ensuring the District meets its’ broader mission.  In December 2002 the Virginia Association of Conservation District Employees recognized her innovation and leadership in outreach to the horse community by awarding her the employee of the year award. She enjoys working with horse owners, sharing ways to reduce or eliminate mud, improve pasture production, manage manure, and maximize acreage while protecting natural resources.  Kate lives with her husband Pete on a small, environmentally friendly, horse property in Gainesville, Virginia.

Kate's Seminar

Horses & the Environment 

Got horses?  Got mud.  Got manure.  Come and learn strategies for reducing or eliminating mud, boosting pasture production, managing manure, and generally maximizing your acreage-- while protecting natural resources.  A great seminar for anyone that manages a horse farm or aspires to own or manage a horse farm in the future. Techniques taught can be applied to “farms” from 3 to 300+ acres.  Learn to how you can qualify for financial assistance to install conservation-oriented improvements such as heated, automatic water troughs, interior fencing, manure storage structures, and bluestone dust paddocks.  Learn how to contact non-regulatory government agency representatives, in your area, available to provide free consultations and free technical assistance to you at your farm.  Become environmentally savvy horse owners— it’s a natural choice!
 

Lindsey Payette - Gaited Horses

Lindsey Payette - Gaited Horses

The gaited horse's temperament, willingness, stamina, beauty and smooth ride have long appealed to novice riders, "Weekend Warriors," riders with pain concerns, first time horse owners, and those seeking a smooth gait for competition and pleasure riding. 

Horses have always been the main focus of Lindsey's life.  From riding and barrel racing in Arizona as a child, to the show ring, to traveling and trail riding throughout many of these United States,  Lindsey has always valued the smooth ride of gaited horses.  As a gaited horse clinician, a certified Equine Massage Therapist, and an avid trail rider, Lindsey has developed a keen sense for teaching riders how to encourage and maintain the best natural gait from their gaited partners.

Lindsey has taught many people over the years.  Her easy going manner and no stress techniques offer a unique clinic experience for both rider and horse.  Lessons and clinics taught by Lindsey are designed to help riders gain the knowledge and the confidence to buy, and ride, the gaited horse of their choice. 

Training clinics includes:

* What to look for and questions to ask when purchasing a gaited horse

* Conformation and how it relates to the horse's gait

* How to recognize the various gaits from the ground and from the saddle

* Balanced riding and collection to optimize your horse's gait

* Exercises to help develop and maintain your horse's natural gait

* On-the-trail exercises to help assure your horse's soundness for the long term.

* Diagnostic "pain" evaluation using hands-on massage

* Tack evaluation and recommendations for your gaited partner

Are you considering purchasing a gaited horse?  Do you already own a gaited horse but are confused about the gait?  Are you unsure if your horse is performing it's best natural gait?  Is your horse developing undesirable behaviors?  Let Lindsey Payette, of Freedom Gaits, LLC help you with these concerns and many more. 

www.freedomgaits.com/

Charles Pellham - Cornerstone Horsemanship Ranch Horse Versitility, Cutting

Arkansas Trainer Challenge Winner

2008 Trainer Challenge Finalist

Charles Pellham - General Training, Cutting

Raised on a family-owned cattle ranch, Charles has over 18 years experience starting horses under saddle, working with problem horses, and showing.  He has started horses that have gone on to excel in western pleasure, roping, reining, cutting, English pleasure, jumping, and dressage.  Charles has great success with turning around countless problem horses and helping them to go on to successful careers.  His most recent accomplishment was at the 2006 American Ranch Horse Association World Show where he won the Open Cutting World Championship and the Junior Ranch Trail World Championship.  Through their Cornerstone Horsemanship program, Charles and his wife, Michele, teach all riders of any breed or discipline, the importance of building a solid foundation, with the goal of changing many of the harsh training approaches used in the show world.   Based in Virginia, Charles and Michele specialize in cutting horses, starting horses under saddle, and working with problem horses.  Their goal is always to go “Beyond All Limits”.

www.cornerstonehorsemanship.com

Melisa Pearce - Touched by a Horse

These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe Melisa. She has a background in Psychotherapy, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University, and is certified in Gestalt Therapy. As a highly successful entrepreneur, business and personal coach, and motivational speaker, she and her coaching staff, work with a wide variety of business owners, athletes, executives, sales personnel and entrepreneurs. Her leadership skills have taken her one of the top positions in a direct sales company. She is often a keynote speaker, emcee and corporate trainer.

Aside from her many business ventures, Melisa is a highly accomplished horsewoman. Her love of horses began as a small child and she has devoted her life to raising championship APHA Paint horses on their Lil Bit North Ranch, which is nestled along the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She competes on both the Regional and World levels in a variety of categories. Her pride and joy is her gorgeous 3 time World Championship stallion, Go Robin Bar, who has sired many other champions in the making. Raising horses has been a long and productive endeavor. For most of her adult years she has also hosted boarders at two of her large facilities and been active in the horse community overall.

Inspired by the relationship with horses as well as her background in psychotherapy, the event Touched by a Horse™ was born. The program incorporates time with the horses and deep personal exploration. As the equine partner mirrors the person's traits and emotions, the process unfolds. The feedback and communication from the participants following their "Touched by a Horse" experience has been truly inspirational. As one past participant stated "the unique nature of the program allowed me to recognize various behavior patterns that have limited me. This new level of awareness has increased my capacity in both my business and personal life. Thank you Melisa."

www.touchedbyahorse.com

Ben Pittman, Hoof Care

As a forth generation horseman, Ben Pittman has been able to combine his love of horses with his devotion to helping them.  Ben spent most of his childhood on his grandparents farm in West Virginia.  He thrived on the long days and hard work of farm life. His grandfather taught him about horsemanship and instilled in him a compassion for animals. This shines through in his daily work.

Ben graduated Eastern Farrier School in Fall 1997.  He apprenticed with some accomplished farriers for the next few years as he built his full time business.  Through apprenticing, Ben learned the basics of shoeing different disciplines and the art of hand making horseshoes.  This lead him to competing with his shoemaking skills.  Traveling from Michigan to Florida, he has achieved many of his goals.  Most recently, Ben won the Virginia State Horseshoeing Championship for the second consecutive year.  In past years he has been the North Carolina Champion in the Novice and Intermediate divisions.

In Florida, he won Reserve Champion and in Virginia, he’s won all divisions.  Ben’s dedication to quality inspires him to reach his goals.     

While he has knowledge of shoeing many disciplines, Ben currently specializes in shoeing performance Hunter/Jumper horses.  He travels across state lines for his work as well.  He has a background in the specific gaits known to the Tennessee Walking Horse and has experience shoeing all show divisions.  Ben is a certified farrier through the standards of the American Farriers Association.    

Ben and his wife Jessica own and operate Hopeful Dreams Farm in Montpelier VA.    

Jessica Pittman, Gaited Horses

Jessica Pittman, Gaited Horses

What bit should I put in my gaited horses mouth?  How should I shoe my gaited horse that has become rough?  Is there a special saddle I can use to make my horse gait? While all of these aspects are important to an effective horse and rider team, correct balanced equitation suited to a gaited horse solves many problems. 

Jessica Pittman grew up riding and showing hunter/jumper throughout Virginia.  Riding hunter for many years taught Jessica balance and feel through experiencing different horses.  4-H played a part in her education, teaching essential horsemanship. After high school, Jessica attended Radford University.  Staying competitive on the Radford Redcoats Intercollegiate Riding Team, Jessica studied to be a teacher. She graduated in 2000 with a BS in Psychology.  This training has helped her understand the essentials of teaching people and horses.  Jessica was then introduced to Tennessee Walking Horses.  After riding the unique gaits and seeing the amazing disposition they had, she hungered to learn more.  Unfortunately, there were no local instructors to teach equitation on gaited horses.  Jessica set her sights to learn more about these amazing horses.  In the Fall of 2005, she achieved her Riding Instructors Certification through the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.  

Jessica takes Walking Seat Equitation very seriously.  It’s her goal to teach people about the unique gaits of Tennessee Walking Horse and the importance of understanding how the riders biomechanics effect it’s natural way of going. 

As a member of the VWHA, NWHA and TWHBEA, she focuses on enhancing the natural gait of flat shod horses. 

Jessica and her husband Benjamin, own and operate the stables at Hopeful Dreams Farm in Montpelier VA. They have two young sons, Ty age 5 and Cole, 13 months. Jessica continues her mission to educate people about correct equitation and communication to make horse and rider teams.  Focusing on pleasure riders and show riders alike, she emphasizes good horsemanship as a basis for riding.   

Steuart Pittman- Eventing

Sponsored by

Steuart Pittman- Eventing

Steuart was the first Maryland trainer to be certified by the United States Eventing Association's Instructor Certification Program. His lessons and clinics are as varied as the horses and riders he teaches. He mixes challenges with humor, and explanation with practice. His passion for dressage, cross country, and show jumping are contagious, and his fascination with the horse's mind and body make his clinics exciting for anyone who appreciates these animals.

Steuart operates a breeding and training business on his family's 550 acre farm in Davidsonville, Maryland. He conducts clinics throughout the country, has a busy teaching schedule, and generally has ten or more horses in training.

As a child, Steuart fox hunted, rode in pony races, and rode in local hunter shows. As a teenager he discovered Three Day Eventing while in Pony Club, and competed through the Preliminary level. After graduating from the University of Chicago and then spending ten years as a community organizer in the lowest income communities of Chicago and Des Moines, Iowa, Steuart returned to his family's farm and went into business with horses. Since 1990 Steuart has competed dozens of horses at every level of eventing, including his Thoroughbred stallion Salute The Truth, on whom he completed many Advanced horse trials and the Fair Hill CCI***.

www.dodonfarm.com

Bobby Plough, Concert

Bobby Plough was raised in Corpus Christi on the coast of South Texas and now lives in coastal North Carolina. He grew up listening to the stories of Texas singer songwriters with a healthy dose of Tex-Mex music thrown in. Although a fan of acoustic rock of the early 70s, he was always drawn back to the Texas country sound. Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Shake Russell, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle were among his early favorites as songwriters and performers. He also was a fan of North Carolina artists like Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and James Taylor. His love of the outdoors and nature has always drawn him to the country life whether it is by the ocean, mountains, or woodlands. His music is a mix of Country, Folk, and Americana with a little shot of Tex-Mex. The stories he likes to tell in his songs cover a broad range of subjects. They include his many interests and outdoor activities. The fact that he is an avid horseman and loves to ride pops up in his songs all the time. He also has a lifelong love of the ocean and surfing. He still travels to remote areas of Central America to find some peace and the perfect wave. The song “Barn Full of Memories” was written on the beach in El Salvador. After playing solo and in small cover bands for many years, he took an interest in writing and performing his own music. He had reached a point in his life that he felt that his life experiences and observations would make great stories for songs.

As the Equine Extension Agent for the Northern District of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Dr. Porr is responsible for equine programming for 19 counties in Northern Virginia.  She received degrees from Texas A&M University (B.S. in Animal Science), the University of Florida (M.S. in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology), and Virginia Tech (Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology).  From there, Dr. Porr took a position in teaching and 4-H extension with The Ohio State University, where she worked for four years before shifting to a teaching and research position at OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute.  She later accepted a job with Buckeye Nutrition as a nutritional consultant and district manager before settling into her current position in Middleburg, Virginia.  Dr. Porr now coordinates equine-related programs on a variety of topics for adult and youth audiences.  She supports the horse industry through presentations at various professional and industry meetings and events as well as through extension publications.  She also participates in on-farm consultations designed to assist horse owners who are having problems on their farms and to educate people on management techniques using the latest research findings.

Scott Purdum - Advantage Horsemanship

Winner Northern Illinois Trainer Challenge

2008 Trainer Challenge Finalist

Scott has ridden, owned, and worked around horses all his life. He was riding by age 3 and immediately his parents recognized his love and natural abilities towards these animals. A few months after he had been taking lessons under the guidance of his trainer Jill Price, Scott became anxious to get his own horse. After a brief search Scott picked out his first horse which his parents purchased for him. Scott began his show career at age 6 and has continued riding and showing hunters and pleasure horses since. He attended the University of MD for 1 year as a student in their Equine Management Program. He also worked as an intern with top rated Quarter Horse trainer Ken Adkins in West Virginia , whom Scott also has assisted at the Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio . Scott has recently dedicated himself to bringing horses and people together through mutual respect and trust.

Scott works primarily by giving individual, customized attention to students, teaching private or small group lessons to his clients. He also maintains approximately 12 horses for full training or breaking. Some of his work includes breaking and training BLM Mustangs, Sport Horses, Quarter Horses, ex-race horses to make hunters, and he has broken 2 year olds for the track. He travels to people's homes or farms to teach trailer loading sessions to clients and their horses. In his spare time, he shows Western Pleasure at both local and AQHA shows with either his own horses or his client's horses.

www.advantagehorsemanship.com

Judith A. Reynolds, Ph.D., P.A.S.

Richard Shrake, Resistance Free® Riding & Training

Richard Shrake, Resistance Free® Riding & Training

Richard Shrake has been an icon as a professional in the horse industry for over 40 years. He lives his life with simple and timeless principles, believing in hard work and family values. His dream was to create a balanced, common sense program based on knowledge and wisdom, that would help riders and their horses everywhere realize their potential.

Through his uncomplicated formula for success, the Resistance Free® Riding and Training Methods, Richard has achieved this goal. He inspires… He motivates... He cares. His gift of teaching and training has touched and enriched the lives of riders and their horses…. from beginners, to intermediates to professionals.

His reputation as a teacher has always been proven by a barn full of winning students. His capacity for patience and his skill as a communicator made him a hit with youth students from the beginning. As a showman, Richard has shown all over the United States, and as a clinician has taken his experiences and his teaching methods all over the United States and beyond.

Richard Shrake's training method, known as Resistance Free®, has made him one of the best all-around clinicians out there. His base, in Sunriver, Oregon, allows Richard the time needed to write his Bridle Wise column, which appears in major equine magazines throughout the country. He has trained World Champion horses and riders, judged all major breed World Championship shows and has put his lifetime of wisdom into well-written columns, an extensive video series and well-constructed clinics. 

In recent years, he has been called the "ultimate coach" by his students. Richard's primary purpose in creating the Resistance Free® methods has been to develop a cooperation between horse and rider, which results in a way of training and riding that is humane and always has respect for the partnership between the horse and rider. 

One of the most popular of his programs, called the Graduate Course, is a breakthrough in personalized riding and instruction. It benefits trainers and riders alike, whether for show or pleasure. Richard Shrake has the talent to lead students through step by step instruction to work with all disciplines and levels of ability. His clinics always stress that the first step towards success comes after an evaluation of the potential of the horse. Without that, there can be no success.

www.richardshrake.com

Justin Sobota, DVM, MS, MSM

Doug Sloan - Movie Horses Hobo and Diablo

Doug Sloan
Film veteran, stunt man and horse trainer, Doug Sloan and his string of stunt/trick horses have to their credit such movies as The Last Samurai, Gods and Generals, Buffalo Soldiers, Gettysburg and the soon to be released HBO mini-series, John Adams.  He has worked on movies across the continental US, Canada, Argentina and New Zealand.  Doug has more recently been known as the co-host on the weekly RFD-TV series, Best of America by Horseback.

Now Doug is sharing his special horses and training techniques through live performances, educational clinics and videos which are entertaining and informative for all of today's equine disciplines.  Doug is also working on a new television show under development which will showcase the powerful ways that horses make a difference in our lives.  It is Doug's goal to inspire people to work with their own horses with a new purpose which will produce the results and confidence that both horse and rider are looking for.
 

Bruce Smith, Attorney:  Legal Issues in the Equestrian World

For over fifteen years Mr. Smith has represented horse owners, Breeders, boarding stables, sales companies, racetracks and non-profit equine organizations.  He has extensive experience with a wide variety of equine legal issues including liability cases, purchase and sale disputes, veterinary issues, contracts and releases, partnerships and entity formation. 

Mr. Smith owns and rides horses and has been active in several equine organizations and charities.  He has spoken at a number of equine and legal seminars and has authored and presented on such topics as Developments in Veterinary Malpractice Law; Equine Partnerships, Conditions of Sale and Sale Disputes and Ethical Dilemmas for Equine Attorneys and their Clients.

Mr. Smith was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He has a law degree from the University Of Virginia School Of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review, and he has a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.  Mr. Smith previously practiced law in Lexington, Kentucky, and now resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia and practices law in the firm of T. William Dowdy and Associates in Springfield, Virginia.  In addition to equine matters Mr. Smith handles litigation, condemnation cases, and wills, trusts and estates.  He is admitted to practice in Virginia and Kentucky.

Judy G. Swal: Hunter Jumpers

Judy G. Swal: Hunter Jumpers

 Judy is an ARICP certified level three  hunt seat instructor the highest level you can achieve through testing of knowledge, philosophy, and teaching style. She has been teaching both children and adults how to ride for over twenty-five years and prides herself on teaching fun and informative lessons in safety oriented atmosphere.  Since moving to Virginia her students have won numerous year end awards in both the hunters and jumpers including high score horse for the Central Virginia Show Jumping Association for six consecutive years as well as high score Virginia Horse Shows Association championships. Students have also won champions and reserves at AA rated shows at the Virginia Horse Center, Uppervile and HITS. Judy currently runs J.G.S Riding located in Chesterfield Virginia where riding lessons are her priority and the students “Jump for joy”.

Aaron "Mule" Thornbrugh
 

Arkansas Trainer Challenge Winner

2008 Trainer Challenge Finalist

Born in Portsmouth, Aaron “Mule” Thornbrugh is looking at this competition in Virginia as a homecoming.

 “Mule” is a horseman who has studied with and followed the teachings of many of today's training legends such as Tom Dorrance, Buck Brannaman, Martin Black, Pat Parelli and most importantly, the horse.

From his beginnings as a working cowboy and rough stock rider nearly twenty years ago, he has evolved into a trainer who focuses on “practical” horsemanship and methods which allow young or troubled horses to overcome their fears and become accepting members of a partner relationship. “Mule” currently owns and operates the Double Diamond T Ranch in Winslow, AR. with his wife Marsha.

He offers lessons and clinics to individuals and groups, as well as colt starts, and foundation training for the young cow-horse.

Visit the ranch online at www.doublediamondt.com

Wayne Williams - "Speaking of Horses" Radio Host, Announcer

Listen to Wayne on

Wayne Williams, the quintessential voice of the horse industry and or horse expos and fairs everywhere, is the Host of "Speaking of Horses" radio and our esteemed announcer at Equine Extravaganza.  Speaking of Horses radio is a program dedicated to supporting the horse industry and its expos and fairs by providing the latest information on all horse and Equine related topics from training, support products, and care to Health and Legal issues.  Wayne travels to horse expos and special events throughout the United States where he interviews the movers and shakers within the horse industry and broadcasts the interviews on HorseTradeShow.com for "on demand" listening by horse enthusiasts around the world.

With over 40 years of horse experience and over 35 years of radio background, Wayne brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to his radio program as well at to the horse expos he announces.

Be sure to check our schedule to see where we will be appearing.