Rocky Mountain Horse Expo Reaches Out to Youth

The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo is offering a number of “kid-friendly” activities before and during the Expo in Denver.

Art & Essay Contest: For several weeks, students at 19 Colorado elementary schools have been polishing their entries for the third annual Art & Essay Contest. Winners will be presented at the Horse Expo and their work featured at a gallery on the trade show floor.

School programs: The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo will bring educational programs to several area schools on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11-12. Some or all of these horsemen will visit: Audra Dobbs, Miss Rodeo Colorado 2009; Colorado Carriage Company (in an authentic 1868 stagecoach drawn by two 18-hand Percherons); Sierra Vista Arabians with CHDA board member Jerry Martinez; Andersen Alfalfa with a team and wagon; and a large complement of horses and riders from the Rocky Mountain Norwegian Fjord Club. 

At the Expo
Audra Dobbs, Miss Rodeo Colorado 2009, offers an encouraging word (or two) to girls with royal dreams and families thinking of getting their first horse. 

Saturday and Sunday, kids from 5-14 can compete in Cowboys For Kids “Extreme Junior Dummy Roping.” The small entry fee supports the Cowboys for Kids scholarship fund and other activities for at-risk and other children in need of special attention. Also part of the Cowboys For Kids “exhibit,” the Colorado Carriage Company’s authentic 1868 stagecoach will be giving rides all weekend.

Every day in the Junior Rodeo Arena, youngsters can get free Buckaroo Roping Lessons from some of the best cowboys around. And the very smallest kids can win prizes after they gallop around barrels and poles in the Stick Horse Races.

The Expo offers plenty of activities for grown-up attendees as well. Horse owners can attend seminars on training, veterinary care and horse management and visit equestrian and western vendors in the trade show. Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race will also take place during the Expo, giving visitors a chance to see riders put their skills to the test.

Tomorrow’s horse industry depends on involving today’s youth. The secret to that is family fun, which the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo offers in abundance. Mark your calendars: March 13-15 in Denver. Visit rockymountainhorseexpo.com or for more information.