Special guests

Experts share valuable advice, skills

BRANDY STEVENSON

Owns and operates a horse and human training business in north Texas, Last Frontier Ranch. She hosts educational programs, such as Cowgirl Camp, which helps riders build foundational skills and achieve their riding goals. Stevenson conducts retreats across the country to help horses and their handlers form stronger partnerships. She focuses on helping riders gain confidence in their own skills as well as their horses innate abilities. At this year’s event, Stevenson will host demonstrations on topics, such as effective groundwork and dressage for the ranch horse.

FRIDAY

10:15 a.m. - noon Effective Groundwork, Large Arena 1:45 - 3 p.m. Get off the Ground and in the Saddle, Large Arena

SATURDAY

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Building Confidence in your Horse, Large Arena 3:30 - 5 p.m. Give your Horse a Job, Large Arena

SUNDAY

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Dressage for the Ranch Horse, Large Arena 1:45 - 3 p.m. Stopping, Steering and Enjoying the Ride, Large Arena COLTON MIKKELSON

Cortez area resident Colton Mikkelson will host a stock dog training demonstration for younger attendees showcasing the intelligence, energy and herding skills of his Border Collies, Liam and Squirt. Mikkelson will answer questions and offer training advice for attendees. The young trainer enjoys competing in competitions and trials with his Collies, and he has a little over five years of experience working with his dogs. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about training cattle and sheep dogs with Mikkelson.

FRIDAY

9 - 10 a.m. Youth Stock Dog Demonstration, Large Arena 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Youth Stock Dog Demonstration, Large Arena

SATURDAY

9 - 10 a.m. Youth Stock Dog Demonstration, Large Arena 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Youth Stock Dog Demonstration, Large Arena KATHY KLIX

Farrier and animal chiropractor, Kathy Klix, is passionate about improving the quality of life for animals. Over the years, she has worked as a trail guide and in veterinary hospitals before becoming a farrier. While working through training programs with animals, Klix noticed the remarkable benefits of chiropractic care for large animals and livestock. In 2018, she graduated from Logan University with a doctorate in chiropractic care for animals. Klix will be available during the threeday expo to demonstrate how she performs an evaluation and discuss her treatment style.

FRIDAY

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn 2 - 3 p.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn

SATURDAY

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn

SUNDAY

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Horse Chiropractic Demonstration, Equestrian Barn MARK & MARDI ANSON

Owners of 4ABelgians, Mark and Mardi Anson, bought their first team of Roan Belgian horses in 2011. Their sons, Grady and Garrett joined the family business as owners in 2020. The family breeds, raises and trains Roan Belgian draft horses and participates in stock shows and contests around the nation. The family uses draft horses to feed cows and entertain others with familyfriendly wagon rides. Catch the owners of 4ABelgians at Four States Ag Expo, where they will offer advice on what they have learned since beginning this journey in 2011.

FRIDAY

9 - 10 a.m. Horse Care, Harnessing and Driving Draft Horses, Grounds

SATURDAY

9 - 10 a.m. Horse Care, Harnessing and Driving Draft Horses, Grounds 2 - 3 p.m. Horse Care, Harnessing and Driving Draft Horses, Grounds

SUNDAY

9 - 10 a.m. Horse Care, Harnessing and Driving Draft Horses, Grounds 1-2 p.m. Horse Care, Harnessing and Driving Draft Horses, Grounds

RANDY HELM

Randy Helm is a certified horse trainer from Arizona, and the supervisor of the Wild Horse Inmate Program at Florence State Prison, which teaches inmates how to train horses for U.S. Border Patrol, ranches and law enforcement agencies. He is also a former narcotics officer, patrolman, pilot and bull rider. Helm trains other riders to be safe and confident, while creating a safe and responsive horse. In his clinics and demonstrations, he often showcases the versatility of the horse, but he can also teach skills regarding safety, obstacle courses and trail riding. Helm travels to do clinics, demonstrations and expos, and his entertaining programs have been featured in the media nationwide.

FRIDAY

8:30 - 10 a.m. Colt Starting and Groundwork, Equestrian Barn 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Colt Starting Prep for Saddle, Equestrian Barn

SATURDAY

8:30 - 10 a.m. Colt Starting First Ride, Equestrian Barn 1:30 - 3 p.m. Colt Starting First Ride, Equestrian Barn

SUNDAY

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Advancing Beyond First Ride, Equestrian Barn 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Advancing Beyond First Ride, Equestrian Barn SAN JUAN MOUNTED ARCHERS

Ken and Carol Queen first joined the Mounted Archery Association of America (MA3) and attended a mounted archery competition in Scottsdale, Arizona as volunteers. Both have experience with horses and archery and wanted to immerse themselves in a sport that brings both hobbies together. They are the first people in Colorado to reach Horse Archer level 1, and now they compete in national competitions. They founded San Juan Mounted archers, and the Durango-based group has members from western Colorado and central New Mexico. *All demos located on the hillside.

FRIDAY

9 - 10:30 a.m. Archery on Horses 2:30 - 4 p.m. Archery on Horses

SATURDAY

8:30 - 10 a.m. Archery on Horses 2:30 - 4 p.m. Archery on Horses

SUNDAY

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Archery on Horses 2:30 - 4 p.m. Archery on Horses DRAFT HORSE, MULE & CARRIAGE ASSOCIATION

The Four Corners Draft Horse, Mule & Carriage Association Inc. mission is to promote the use of equines for both work and pleasure. Members participate in trail drives, friendly driving competitions, sleighing excursions and educational workshops. Many associate horses as draft animals, but donkeys and mules can also draw carts, wagons, carriages and farm equipment.

SATURDAY

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. History of Driving and Draft Animals, Equestrian Barn 10:45 - 1:45 p.m. How to Start Driving, Equestrian Barn 2:30 p.m. Special Showcase MATT LAWLOR

Farrier Matt Lawlor of Emerald Lake Horseshoe Co. is dedicated to keeping horses healthy and happy by providing farrier services in the Four Corners region. The Ignacio, Colorado resident understands that hoof care is critical to comfort and well-being for the animal, and he uses time-tested techniques to ensure proper equine podiatry. As a teenager, Lawlor learned the trade as an apprentice, then attended farrier school. He will offer a presentation on hemodynamic horseshoeing.

SUNDAY

2 - 3 p.m. Hemodynamic Shoeing, Show Ring

Author

LOWELL F. VOLK

A love for American history influences Lowell F. Volk’s writing. He describes the hardships of pioneers and rural living, as well as the woes of war in his historical nonfiction novels. As a resident of Pleasant View, Colorado, and a member of the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Posse, many of his stories are based in this region or inspired by it. The retired software engineer turned author travels to diverse events across the country, including agricultural gatherings and Civil War reenactments. He is also a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and the Western Writers of America. Visit Volk at the Ag Expo, and browse the selection of books he has to offer.