Get to Know the
Western States Horse Expo

A congregation of all things horse, from veterinary knowledge to trick training, the Western States Horse Expo has it all. Hosted by the Murieta Equestrian Center near California's state capital, this three-day-long fair is "the equine event of the year," featuring world-renowned clinicians like Dan James, mounted and un-mounted instruction for a variety of disciplines and topics, kids activities hosted by the United States Pony Club, and top-notch shopping! Riding Warehouse was lucky enough to make the trip to Murieta and experience the lively hustle and bustle of the Horse Expo. Read on to learn about what we saw, our tips for future expo goers, and what we want to see and do next year!

Before we get into the specifics of the Western States Horse Expo experience, I want to introduce myself. My name is Daisy, and I began riding horses when I was five years old and joined the United States Pony Club when I was ten years old. Since then, I have focused my riding on dressage and eventing, aiming to gather horse knowledge in all disciplines and fields.

I've worked as a groom and barn manager for FEI eventing and dressage riders and at an equine veterinary and rehabilitation practice while attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After graduating from college in 2023, I began working at Riding Warehouse. As much as horses have taken over my professional life, I have always valued them as my outlet and a major part of my personal life.

I was lucky enough to have my horse Abe with me throughout high school and college, which taught me infinite lessons on time management, accountability, advocating for others, and flexibility. Looking at the entire big picture rather than just focusing on the sport aspect has improved my communication and teaching skills, and emphasized the importance of empathy in my life. Since there is so much to be learned from horses and those around them, I jumped at the chance to attend the Western States Expo. So without further ado, let's get into it!

The Experience

I wasn't sure what to expect when arriving at the Murieta Equestrian Center. All I knew was that there would be 13 arenas and tents going with clinics and demos at all times for three whole days. Talk about an information gold mine! Some highlights that stood out to me leading up to the event were: donkey and mule care, saddle fit, mini pony breed demo, trick training, ranch work, trail obstacle courses, drill team demos, off-the-track TB training, and movie magic — just to name a few. These and many more topics were showcased and built upon, and some were repeated throughout the weekend ensuring that spectators could see everything that caught their eye.

Going into the expo with a plan in mind, I was ready to see as much as possible. However, when the time came, I was more drawn to alternative clinics that extended my appreciation for new and diverse topics instead of ones I was already familiar with.

Expect the Unexpected

I expected to enjoy every clinic, but as an eventing and dressage rider, I believed I would find clinics similar to my discipline to be most useful. However, I was surprised that my favorite clinics were those taught by ranch and cowhorse clinicians. This combination of disciplines showcased the commonalities between riders that are often overlooked. It allowed me to step back and remember that no matter what we as equestrians do with our horses, they are all still the same animals. I retained points from each clinic that I felt directly applied to my riding, but that I could also apply elsewhere in my general horsemanship practices, such as bodywork concepts that I could implement in my daily rides.

With this in mind, these are my favorite takeaways from the weekend that I can use with horses (and other animals) no matter the sport or goal:

From "Reading Cattle For Cattle Classes" with Barbra Shulte:

"Go watch the group of cattle [or jump course, dressage test, etc.] with other riders before your ride time. Even if you don't retain any information about the individual cows [course, test, etc.] it can help relieve nerves and give you a purpose."

From "Creating a Confident Horse Using Trail Obstacles" with Mark Bolender:

"Mistakes are OK; you have to reward and respect their process. This does not mean that they are allowed to say 'no,' they always have to try."

From "Bridleless Jumping" With Brendon Wise:

"Leg does not mean forward or faster, leg means 'more.' No matter which direction, gait, or task, more leg should mean more horse."

From "Bridleless Jumping" With Brendon Wise:

"Your release is your language. Positive reinforcement, i.e. taking away pressure, is how we should communicate fairly with our horses."

From "How to Evaluate the Bits in Your Tackroom" with Sandy Collier:

"Just because a bit [or other pieces of tack] is advertised to do something does not mean it is going to do that for your horse. You have to take into account your horse's specific anatomy and pressure response points."

From "Reading the Horse's Body Language: Is My Horse Uncomfortable? If So, Where?" with Jim Masterson:

"You should be working with the horse, not on the horse. With this, if you brace against the horse, you will lose. And if there's no bracing then there's no messing up."

From "Avoiding Common Plateus" with Ben Longwell:

"Using too much of a good thing can turn our tools into tricks, so make sure you are using your tools sparingly and at appropriate moments."

From "Avoiding Common Plateus" with Ben Longwell:

"Our body language encompasses: 1. position/intention, 2. life/energy, and 3. space/bubble. By adjusting these aspects we should be able to communicate to our horse what we want while maintaining comfort and leadership."

From "Avoiding Common Plateus" with Ben Longwell:

"We cannot use bracing and expect to receive give."

How to Prepare for Horse Expo

Just like any horse show or equine event, proper preparation is key. Without it, you might not have the energy, materials, or timing to see and do everything you want at Horse Expo! I'd recommend a few things in order to prepare for the trip to the Murieta Equestrian Center, some being packing specifics and others for an optimized experience.

1. Look at the schedule ahead of time - See what topics interest you and maybe pick a few that you have no experience with. There are a lot of options, and it can be overwhelming once you're on-site to pick what you want to see. Having an outline before the event will lead to smooth sailing the day of, even if you don't stick to your plan.
2. Take note of repeat or cumulative clinics - Some clinics are offered in a three-day series meaning the clinician is building upon what they covered the prior days, and this might influence how you want to form your schedule. Alternatively, some clinics are repeats, so if there is an overlap with your schedule you can most likely see it another time.
3. Bring a notebook or notepad - There will be a lot of information coming at you, so it is smart to bring a notebook where you can write tips, tricks, and anything you learn throughout the weekend. A phone or notes app works too, but to prevent a dead battery or overheated phone, you may want another method.
4. Buy tickets for The Mane Event - Held on Saturday night, The Mane Event creates an energetic packed house, and it is so fun to watch the clinicians showcase their and their horse's talents. It is a late night though, so eat dinner beforehand or have a game plan for after; local restaurants may be closed or reservation only.
5. Pack for hot weather - If you are unfamiliar with Sacramento in the summer, get ready for dry heat. Temps can be upward of 100°F with little humidity, and if you're unprepared, this oven-like environment can lead to health complications and a general bad time. Because of that here is our Sacramento Survival Kit:
   1. Personal fan
   2. Refillable water bottle
   3. Sunscreen and/or UV-protective clothing (a sun hat is a must!)
6. Other packing musts - Here are some items that aren't hot-weather specific but will make your experience that much better:
   1. Camping chair or seat cushion - Great for parking yourself in the shade, viewing a packed clinic, or avoiding hot metal bleachers. A compact chair or portable seat cushion is a game changer!
   2. Portable charger - Especially if you're using your phone for notes or photos, it's a good idea to stay prepared.
   3. Comfortable closed-toe shoes - Just like any horsey event, you'll be walking a lot. Do your feet a favor and stay comfortable, but remember that if you plan on petting any ponies, you should keep your toes covered!
   4. A good bag - You'll probably want to shop or pick up informational material, so having an easy-to-carry catch-all is great. Plus you can keep your water and sun materials at your fingertips.

What I Want to See & Do Next Year

After having a great time at the Horse Expo, I am already planning my trip to the Murieta Equestrian Center in 2025! I feel better prepared to see everything I want to see and learn even more. Some specific points for how the trip could be improved and perfected would be: meeting the clinicians beforehand so I can prioritize speakers I connect with, participating in the interactive demos like Drive the Clyde, and attending cumulative clinics on day one so that I can view the progress made throughout the weekend.

To expand on my tip on meeting the clinicians, I thought that every presenter had valuable information and great demonstrations, but I connected with certain people and had their words resonate with me more than others. I spent a lot of time wandering around trying to find the most enticing clinic for me and ultimately joining in halfway through. On days two and three, I had a clearer goal of who I wanted to see since I had been exposed to how they communicate and their teaching styles.

To appease my need for hands-on learning, I wish I had participated in an interactive clinic. Some notable ones were archery (unmounted but geared toward mounted archery) and Drive the Clyde, a clinic where attendees could sign up beforehand and learn how to ground drive a Clydesdale! These classes seemed interesting, great for hands-on learners, and fun for any equine enthusiast. Spots do fill quickly, so it's important to sign up early.

Lastly, multiple clinicians had three-day series clinics where they worked with the same horse, for example, colt starting and OTTB training. While any information was valuable, watching how the clinicians built upon their previous work and seeing how these horses gained confidence helps attendees to understand the bigger picture of training rather than a one-session snapshot. Seeing the progression would have had an even bigger impact on my learning experience, but that just gives me a clear "must-see" for next year!

Closing Thoughts

Traveling to the Murieta Equestrian Center for the Western States Horse Expo was fun and educational, and tickled my horse-crazy itch! I had been to Murieta for horse shows and Pony Club rallies before, but getting to see it dressed as an equine wonderland was a new and exciting experience. From breed demos to The Mane Event, everything offered was a unique opportunity to celebrate equestrian sports and a general love for horses. This event is great for riders of any discipline, or folks who simply like the animal and want to learn and see as much as possible. We hope to see you at the next Western States Horse Expo. Ride on!