CTBA at Horse Expo
By Christy Chapman CTBA Events Coordinator SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 13, 2012) – The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association participated in the Western States Horse Expo, June 8-10, at Cal Expo.
The Thoroughbred demonstrations showcased the many talents of the ex-racehorse and were successful in showing the attendees of the event the athleticism this breed possesses.
Among the retired racehorses participating in the Thoroughbred demo were:
“Limitless,” a 4-year-old off the track grey gelding who is now a beginning his jumping career and was ridden by owner Haley Abbott.
“Benny”, a 16-year-old off the track chestnut gelding, who now shows in eventing and hunter/jumper, was ridden by Raeann Magill.
“Impala Supersport,” a 21-year-old bay gelding who raced early on in life and went on to be an eventer and now a lesson horse, was ridden by Dana Todd.
“Kati,” a 13-year-old off track bay mare who is now a handy polo horse, was also ridden by Raeann Magill.
Thoroughbreds are popular sport horses because of their adaptability to many events. The most common disciplines for Thoroughbreds are jumping, hunters, dressage and three-day-eventing, as well as polo because of their willingness to “never give up.”
Western riders also use Thoroughbreds for barrel racing and working cows on large ranches as they are able to cover the hills smoothly and efficiently. Thoroughbreds are often used for gymkhana and large city mounted police forces. They are so versatile that they easily adapt to being cart horses, roping horses and trail horses.
Christy Chapman, Leigh Ann Howard, Nancy Easton and Marte Miller spoke with hundreds of attendees throughout the event. Many attendees told stories of rescue and rehab of horses coming off the racetrack. Attendees were educated on the various venues for horse racing in California, live racing was showcased on a tv in the booth, a Belmont Stakes viewing party was hosted with special guest Kate Chenery Tweedy, various aspects of betting were discussed, and attendees were encouraged to become members of CTBA and to also become breeders to support Thoroughbred racing in California.
Many registration questions were answered concerning Thoroughbreds in California. Attendees were also assisted with finding information on the various organizations within the Thoroughbred industry.
The event was well attended.
The Expo showcased many different horse breeds. Breed demonstrations, clinics and seminars commenced all three days in seven arenas for ten hours each day. Some of the clinicians included: Shannon Dueck, Steve Rother, Dana Hokana, Bree Krabel, Jim Masterson, Larry Whitesell, Tim Kimura, Christy Landwehr and Bernie Traurig along with various seminars and demonstrations from veterinarians from UC Davis, an equine chiropractor, Project Cowgirl, 4-H clubs and many other horse breeds.
