February 18-19, 2012

We had such a great time at last year’s Washington State Horse Expo, that my mom decided to come visit us at the right time to go to the Expo again this year. She is always looking for an excuse to see her grandson and all of us love horses.

The Expo started on Friday, February 17, but we decided to skip Friday and just go Saturday and Sunday. Two days is a lot of time at an Expo. Most of the time I go to Expos, I stay a few hours, but since horses are so interesting to me, with the clinicians, activities, presentations, and vendors, there was plenty to keep me entertained at this Expo as long as I wanted to stay.

We took Alex the first day. He fell asleep in the car on the way to the Expo, but woke up when we got there. Still, he was a little drowsy, so I put him in the stroller to start. The stroller is a wonderful thing to have at an Expo as Alex takes his naps in it, plus I can carry everything I need in it. I find there are a some things that you really should bring to these events: warm clothes (at least in February), a bottle of water, and snack food. I also brought the diaper bag (of course) with all of Alex’s stuff, my camera, and my purse. As I looked at the vendors at the Expo, I picked up pamphlets and samples which I was able to put in the stroller as well.

Parking was $6 (cash only) and was good all day. The event entrance fee was $10 per day for adults and $8 per day for seniors (cards were accepted for the entrance fee). Alex was free which is always nice. Last year they charged extra for the evening event on Saturday, but they included it this year with the price of admission.

When we got inside the event, we wandered around the booths a bit. My mom went to watch a clinician and I took Alex to the kids’ area to color. Last year they had pony rides and inflatables for kids, but this year they just had coloring sheets and a roping area. I was a little disappointed that Alex did not get to play in a bounce house, but I suppose we’ll just have to go to Inflatable Kingdom some time for an Open Play session to make up for it. He did enjoy coloring quite a bit.

While Alex was awake, I wasn’t able to watch any clinicians for too long, so we would watch a bit, then walk around a bit. Alex likes running around in the horse trailers while I daydream about being able to afford one. Each year I think maybe next year I’ll take one home. There are always so many things that I would like to buy at these events if I had the money…

We packed string cheese, Pirates Booty, sliced turkey, and water for lunch. After lunch Alex and I bought a little tub of fudge which we split and ate like ice cream. On our second day at the event, my mom and I did not pack lunch and bought a hamburger instead for $4.75. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t Burgerville either.

There were three buildings that housed the Expo this year. We spend most of our time in the largest building which was heated, but there were two other covered buildings that were not warm. In fact, the large covered arena is pretty cold. We headed out there for the parade of breeds which was fun to watch. Alex was getting tired at this point and fell asleep in the stroller. The Extreme Cowboy Race was also in this arena. I did not watch it long the first day as the arena got so packed that I couldn’t see anything (not enough room in the bleachers for so many people), so I went inside and watched the Friesian trick horses and vaulters instead. I did get to watch the Cowboy race the second day and it was fun. The horses and riders try to navigate an obstacle course and whoever gets the best time (with points for the obstacles) wins.

Alex napped a long time, so I was able to watch quite a few clinicians on Saturday while he slept. Steve Rother is always a favorite of mine since he is not only a good trainer, but he funny and entertaining as well. I also really enjoyed seeing the vaulting and the trick horses perform.

We went home for dinner with the idea of going back for the evening show without Alex; however, after seeing how crowded it was during the Extreme Cowboy Race, we were concerned about whether or not we would be able to see. Last year the arena was cold and we could barely see anything due to the crowd and this year it was even busier. In the end being tired as we were, we skipped the evening show. I am sure we missed a fun show, but it had been a long day.

Sunday we left Alex home with his grandpa and his dad. My mom and I got to the event as a vaulting demonstration was going on and they asked if anyone would like to try. A bunch of kids went and I got my nerve up and went too. They started by having me try a few moves on the fake horse (a vaulting table), then I got to try vaulting on the real horse. It was so much fun! If the vaulting team had been local, I’d have signed up for lessons right then and there. My mom saw me do it and decided she’d try too. She had a blast. I think it was the highlight of the event for both of us.

Things were a bit simpler without Alex, though it did mean I had to carry my stuff instead of put it all on the stroller. I wonder if I should get one of those wheeled shopping bags for these events… I found a nice used pony saddle, but without Alex there, I could not have him try it out. I decided it was too big and I could not afford it anyway. Later I noticed a cute pink pony saddle that was being given away at a booth. I was going to enter, but as I was watching someone won it, so alas I was too late. Should have tried for it on Saturday.

We had a lot of fun at the event on Sunday, but I was definitely tired. I enjoyed getting to sit down and watch the clinicians and demonstrations instead of running around with Alex. Having a kid definitely changes the experience.

The Washington State Horse Expo is an annual event at the Clark County Fairgrounds in February. Another Horse Expo, the Northwest Horse Fair, is coming up March 22-25 in Albany. It’s a little further to drive (for us), but it’s a lot of fun too. I always leave these events with so many ideas of things I want to try with my own horse and any horse crazy kid is sure to enjoy being around so many horses.

-HL

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