World class clinicians, shopping; new and exciting equine entertainment

Exhilarating equine entertainment, a terrific trade show and first-class clinicians, will be the highlights of EquiFest of Kansas 2008 presented by Shepler's. This celebration of horses, now in its eleventh year, will be held Feb. 29, March 1 and 2, at the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, Kan.

EquiFest of Kansas 2008 presented by Shepler's, will feature a wide variety of unusual and exciting equine entertainment. Back by popular demand, the evening performance of the Equine Extravaganza will present Al Ragusin and his Dancing Horses providing precision movements, singing and lighthearted entertainment to music, while Regina Ware and her Friesian horses offer sophisticated syncopation, dancing to music. The entertainment will take a step back in time as Hanlon-Lees presents the pageantry of 14th Century Jousting. Costumed steeds, authentic weaponry, and noble knights in shining armor will highlight the action.

Horse enthusiasts at EquiFest can also explore a giant equine trade show that fills an entire building. Rows of commercial booths will offer clothing, tack, feed, equipment, gifts, horse trailers, and countless equine products and services.

Lecture and workshop topics at EquiFest will cover a wide range of topics, including trail riding, theft prevention and tracking including freeze branding and microchip demos. There will also be presentations on Bits and Bitting, Stall Flooring, Is It the Horse Or Me?, and How a Horse Learns, among other topics.

Clinic details announced

EquiFest of Kansas 2008 officials have announced their full line of world-class clinicians to appear, from all over the U.S., including: Curt Pate teaching General Training and Horsemanship; Cleve Wells with The Basics of Winning; Jimmy Driver and Training Through Trust, Trust Through Training; Jane Armour giving Hunter and Jumper clinics; Sandy Hotz teaching Dressage; and Bob Jeffreys with Suzanne Sheppard presenting Teaching Two as One; Steve Edwards, teaching about Mules; and a special clinic with Al Ragusin.

Pate is a highly sought-after clinician and author, who travels extensively throughout the United States and Europe, giving clinics and demonstrations in colt starting, ranch horsemanship and horse training. Pate has committed himself to helping the horse by helping people. He is passionate about his Low Stress/High Result handling and training techniques for horses and livestock. The techniques he utilizes are relatively simple for the horse owner to teach and easy for the horse to learn, yet very effective. Joining Equifest from his Montana ranch, Pate will present Colt Starting clinics, a progression in 3 parts; and he'll present Ranch Roping and Low Stress/High Result Horsemanship clinics.

Jimmy Driver is presented at EquiFest by Ortho-Flex Saddleworks. Driver has been around horses for thirty years, riding for fun, in trail rides and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. Driver rounded out his professional training in 2001 with training certification from Progressive Equine, LLC. Driver brings together his love for horses, over twenty five years experience of teaching in the medical field, and his knowledge acquired in the certification program, to provide his clients with the ultimate educational experience. Driver's EquiFest presentations will include: Hips: the Key to Performance; Winter Training Tips and Spring Tune Up; Problem Solving and a special Question and Answer Session with the audience. He will also provide 2 lectures: "Bits and Bitting and How a Horse Learns.

Steve Edwards has 35 years of experience educating and training mules and horses, their riders, and the general public about general mulemanship and horsemanship, mule packing and gamesmanship. Among his many awards, he was the 1995 Champion of the Over age 40 Diamond and Box Hitch World Championship in 1995. He's also been a Mammoth Donkey competitor, competing in Western Pleasure, Trail, Driving and World Championship Gymkhanas. Edwards will give 3 presentations at EquiFest: The Halter, Key to my Mules' and Donkeys' Foundation; Why Does my Mule or Donkey Do That?; and Communicating with your Mule or Donkey. Edwards will also present 2 lectures at EquiFest: The Halter, Key to My Mules and Donkeys' Foundation and Why Does My Mule or Donkey Do That?.

Native Texan Cleve Wells has trained and shown Western Pleasure horses for more than 22 years, in addition to riding and training Cutting, Reining and Roping horses. Wells has earned numerous national and world titles, including 24 All American Congress Champion and Reserve Championships and 17 World and Reserve World titles. Wells will give these presentations at Equifest: Ground Manners; Basic Fundamentals of Body Control; Maximum Control for Maximum Performance; and Good Hands, Good Legs, Good Horses.

Bob Jeffreys' passion for horses, years of personal experience and work with various trainers led him to develop the Partnership Training for Horse and Rider system. His training methods encompass the most effective techniques available. Jeffreys considers training from the horse's perspective. Through his thorough, thoughtful and concentrated process, Jeffreys has been able to discard many unproductive training methods and devices.

Jeffreys and his partner, Suzanne Sheppard, have combined their talents to develop a variety of Teaching Two as One horsemanship and equitation clinics, trail riding getaways, and his multi-level Trainer Education Program/Protrack.

Sheppard is a Centered Riding Level 3 Instructor/Clinician . As an adult Sheppard studied T'ai Chi Chuan, eventually becoming a T'ai Chi instructor, while also earning her Master's Degree in Education. Her background in natural horsemanship, martial arts and education led her to study with Sally Swift and many other very gifted Centered Riding instructors, earning her current qualifications. Sheppard has worked with Bob Jeffreys to develop and produce their training program for horses and riders. At EquiFest, Jeffreys and Sheppard will present 3 clinics: Cross Training for Horse and Rider; Deep Seat, Light Hands; and Troubleshooting for the Trail in 2 parts. They'll also provide 3 lectures: Part, Partner, Partnership; Is it the Horse Or Is It Me?; and Taking the Mystery Out of Bits.

Jane Armour is a certified British Horse Society Instructor. She came to the United States on an Extraordinary Ability Visa as a "Trainer of Trainers". Armour has competed internationally in Dressage, Eventing and ridden in Show Hunter classes. Her empathetic teaching style empowers riders of all levels to work progressively towards their goals. Armour believes in the strong emotional connection between horse and rider helping riders to create a 'bond as strong as armour' with their equine partner. Armour will give three presentations during Equifest, including: The Approach and Get Away from the Fence; Gymnastics to Improve the Horse's Jump Technique; Using Weight Aids to Ride the Jump-Off Turns. Armour will also present 3 lectures: Confidence; The Emotional Value of Riding; and Choosing The Right Clinician.

Sandy Hotz has been riding and training dressage horses and coaching students for more than 25 years, and has been a USEF licensed dressage judge since 1989. She has lived and trained on both U.S. coasts and extensively in Europe. Hotz has qualified for, and competed in, numerous National Dressage Championships, and has trained with a number of world dressage experts. She trained extensively in Germany with the late Herbert Rehbein, one of Europe's most accomplished and respected Dressage masters, and was invited to train with Arthur Kottas, director and head rider of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria.

Hotz stresses correct basic training at all levels and emphasizes the rider's position and seat as a major influence on the horse's ability to perform at his best. Hotz will appear at EquiFest March 1 and 2, presenting: The Levels of Dressage and Improving Your Score in Dressage Tests.

Al Ragusin is sponsored by DownUnder Saddle Supply. Ragusin's career with horses spans nearly 50 years. As a young man, Ragusin began showing Quarter Horses in Halter, Cutting, Reining, Western Pleasure, and Racing. During his career, Al has won more than 300 trophies and awards and is a champion charro (Mexican Cowboy), and a rejoneador (Bull Fighter on horseback using the Portuguese bloodless method of bullfighting). Al has trained horses in nine different disciplines including dressage, and owns and trains the only true Dancing Horses in the world. Al has traveled coast to coast, and throughout the United States and Mexico, conducting his training clinics as well as his Dancing Horse Show.

Ragusin will perform at EquiFest with his fantastic Dancing Horses, singing Country, Rock and Mexican music, as his horses match the rhythm of each song, dancing to the beat. In addition, Ragusin will provide a clinic Feb. 29 at EquiFest, entitled Ride with More Control and Collection Using Ragusin's Double Rein Technique.

Hours and how to get tickets

Hours for the equine exposition are: Feb. 29, from 10 a.m., to 8 p.m,; March 1, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and March 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission tickets cost $12.50 for adults, $6 for children aged six through twelve, and children five years and under get in free. Three-day discount passes are available in advance, or at the door the first day of the event: $30 for adults and $15 for children 6 through 12 years. Tickets are on sale through Select-A-Seat at www.selectaseat.com or 316-755-7328. Tickets may also be purchased at the door (cash only).

More information

For more information about EquiFest, visit the EquiFest websites at www.equinepromotions.net or www.kansashorsecouncil.com or contact: Equine Promotions at 765-655-2107 or jjcloe@equinepromotions.net; or the Kansas Horse Council at 785-776-0662 or e-mail ksequifest@equiventurepromotions.com.

EquiFest of Kansas is presented by the Kansas Horse Council, a nonprofit association formed to further the common interests of horse people and to promote the entire equine industry. The Kansas Horse Council has contracted with Equine Promotions Inc., to professionally manage EquiFest of Kansas. Equine Promotions Inc. is an event management company with extensive experience in equine event administration.

Sponsors for EquiFest of Kansas 2008 include: Down Under Saddle Supply; Exiss Trailers; Holton Trailer Sales; John Deere; Kansas Ag Network; KZSN; Mid-America Ag Network; Oklahoma Trailer Center; Orthoflex Saddle Works; Purina Mills LLC; Shepler's the EquiFest presenting sponsor; and We Embroider.

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Date: 2/27/08