Handy Checklist

Equine-Expo Tips

Use these valuable tips to get the most out of your next expo adventure.

By Heidi Melocco

Equine expos around the country offer clinics, seminars, exhibitions, and more. You can hitch up and take your own horse for in-the-saddle learning. Expos also offer prime trailer-shopping opportunities. Here’s a planning checklist to enhance your next expo experience.

■ Plan early. Target the expo you’d like to attend, then frequent its website, and sign up for any e-newsletters so you’ll know when it’s time to download and print out a final seminar schedule. Then you can start making your travel plans. ■ Book your room. If you’ll be staying in a hotel, book your room early. Before you make your reservation, first identify the event’s host hotels, which typically offer discounts. It’s best to make hotel reservations 60 days in advance to take advantage of potentially discounted rates. ■ Choose your clinics. Carefully review the clinic and seminar choices, and choose the sessions most relevant or appealing to you. First, look for clinicians that you know and admire, then look at the topics to see whether something catches your eye. Take time to critique your current riding, training, and horse-care know-how, and make a list of topics you’d like to know more about. ■ Bring your own horse. Many horse expos will allow you to

“ride with the stars.” If you’re interested in a hands-on clinic, make arrangements with the clinician well in advance of the expo. If signups are available onsite, sign up as soon as you arrive. ■ Pack up. Pack comfortable shoes and clothing, and a rolling bag for shopping items. Keep your cellphone handy to take videos of clinics and seminars. Also bring cash for cash-only expo expenditures. ■ Divide and conquer. If there are two desirable seminars scheduled at once, ask a friend attend your second choice, then share notes. ■ Speak up. Visit trainers and clinicians in their booths; they want to talk to you. You’ll find that top trainers/clinicians are kind and realistic horsepeople. Find out when your favorite clinicians’ will be available to answer questions and/or when they might be making a guest appearance in another booth.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO Hitch up and take your own horse to a nearby expo for in-the-saddle learning. Many horse expos will allow you to “ride with the stars.”

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO Equine expos offer prime trailer-shopping opportunities.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO Carefully review the clinic and seminar choices, and choose the sessions most relevant or appealing to you.