This year’s Mane Event in Chilliwack, October 21 – 23, is shaping up to be another fun event filled with hours of equine education, shopping and fun.
The confirmed clinicians for this year are again world renowned equestrians, judges and trainers that include: Bernie Traurig (Jumping), Bernie is renowned for not only his riding talents but for his teaching and coaching gifts. As a competitor, Bernie has represented the US Equestrian Team both at home and abroad on many occasions and reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. In 2009 he was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. He is currently the West Coast’s associate Chef d’ Equip to George H. Morris, the Chef d’ Equip of the US Olympic Equestrian Team.
Also participating at the expo is Axel Steiner (Dressage). Axel started riding as a 9 year old in Germany and later attended the well known riding schools of Warendorf and von Neindorff. He received his first national judges licence in 1968, and was promoted by the FEI to Official status (FEI-O, now FEI Five Star*****) in 1988. Axel has judged in 35 different countries, from Zambia to World Cup Finals, Pan American, and the Olympic Games.
Mark Sheridan, A University of Findlay, Ohio graduate with over 28 years experience producing winning all around show horses, Mark will be presenting a number of clinics over the 2 ½ days of the event. Mark has trained and coached four AQHYA Reserve World champions in both the English and Western divisions. He has judged the AQHA World Show 4 times, the AQHYA World show 2 times and the All American Quarter Horse Congress 4 times, as well as numerous shows in Australia, Europe, Japan and the Canadian Nationals in Red Deer, AB (four times). Mark is a member of AQHA, NSBA, NRHA, APHA, PCQHA and the Arizona QH Association. A new addition to this year’s event is Mark Bolender (Extreme Trail). He is also the country’s leading expert in the sport of Extreme Trail, Mountain Trail and Competitive Trail and a three time National Grand Champion in the sport. He has designed and built Extreme Trail courses across the nation. Mark’s most recent course is operated by the Washington State Horse Park. Mark’s courses are designed to challenge the horse and rider of any skill level within the sport. Mark has been invited to design and build the very first Extreme Trail course in Germany.
For the Reining and Barrel Racing fans we have two top clinicians; Jeff Petska (Reining) and Judy Myllymaki (Barrel Racing). Jeff is known for his many accomplishments in Reining including being a NRHA Open Futurity finalist, an AQHA World Champion, and an AQHA Reserve World Champion. He currently serves as an NRHA judge, an AQHA judge, a board member of the NRHA, as well as Chair and vice-chair of NRHA Professionals. Jeff has been involved with the USEF since 2002 when he became the Chef d’Equipe for the Gold medal winning US teams at the 2002 Nations Cup, the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, followed by the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Judy Myllymaki is no stranger to success in the world of Professional Barrel Racing. Judy\’s many accomplishments include NFR Qualifier; Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Champion; Multi – qualifier; Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals Average Champion; Dodge National Circuit Finals Qualifier; Multiple Futurity Championships. With over 35 years experience in the barrel racing game, Judy has a wonderful quality about her – the ability to teach her students the methods she uses to attain her goal in making a top barrel horse.
Rounding off this year’s lineup of clinicians are Kay Veinotte (Driving); Jonathan Field (Horsemanship); Robyn Hood (TTouch); Marion Weisskopff (Classical Cowboy Dressage); and Daryl Gibb (Horsemanship). The Trainers Challenge will feature Kade Mills, 2011 Champion Mane Event Trainers Challenge in Red Deer, Albertas. Kade resides and is currently training in Alberta; Jon Ensign from Montana and returning Mane Event crowd favourite Steve Rother and is sure to be an eventful and educational experience with the horses again supplied by the world famous Douglas Lake Ranch.
Visit www.maneeventexpo.com for the last couple of clinicians soon to be confirmed as well as expo hours and a listing of the trade show exhibitors featuring vendors from BC, Alberta, Eastern Canada and the US. To participate in the clinics contact riders@maneeventexpo or call (250) 578-7518 for an application form.