New attractions make a bigger equine experience at Ag Progress Days

0
4

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Equine Experience at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days has a history of delivering a mix of attractions and activities that educate and entertain horse lovers of all ages.

As Penn State’s equine science program has expanded, so has the Equine Experience, notes Ann Swinker, associate professor of equine science, offering more attractions for horse enthusiasts.

Together with the Pennsylvania Equine Council, this year the Penn State Equine Science program will engage Ag Progress Days visitors with training and breed clinics, demonstrations, informational displays, lectures and hot-topic attractions from the horse industry.

Training clinics

Suzanne Myers, the 2008 Midwest Mustang Challenge winner, riding her mustang Jazz, will give daily training clinics, demonstrating the methods she used with the wild mustang to win the challenge.

The Midwest Mustang Challenge gives about 50 trainers 100 days to “gentle” previously untouched 3- and 4-year-old American mustangs.

The mustangs were then judged on conditioning, ground work and a “horse course” that required maneuvers and included obstacles found in trail and recreational riding situations.

Other events

Other presentations scheduled in the large horse arena are a musical display of Benchfield Farms’ famous spotted draft horses, a six-horse Percheron hitch from Diamond Lane Farm and Dancing with your Horse: Musical Freestyles.

Lounge

“For those seeking more than a show, a lecture series also will be held in the Equine Learning Center, where seminars will highlight current issues such as national animal identification, the unwanted horse and manure management,” said Swinker.

“If Ag Progress Days visitors are looking for a chance to take a break, get out of the sun and learn something new, they will be welcomed into the new Equine Educational Lounge,” she adds.

“The lounge will be available to visitors on Tuesday and Wednesday, when they can browse information put together by Penn State faculty, researchers and students. The information ranges from equine liability laws, to trail riding, handling, money management, showing and nutrition.”

Learning station

Pennsylvania Equine Council’s Learning Station is a new addition to this year’s Equine Experience and another location where people can cool off and challenge their minds, according to Swinker.

The station is located in the exhibit building and allows visitors to test their equine knowledge and visit with PEC members.

The Pony Express pony rides again will be held Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Skillathon

The 4-H Equine Skillathon, an opportunity for 4-H members to test their equine knowledge, will take place Aug. 21 at the Equine Experience.

To learn more about the 4-H Skillathon, visit: http://www.das.psu.edu/das/4-h/horses/calendar-deadlines-and-event-details. To obtain a complete Equine Experience program, call 814-863-7639.

Get our Top Stories in Your Inbox

Next step: Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

We are glad you have chosen to leave a comment. Please keep in mind that comments are moderated according to our comment policy.

Receive emails as this discussion progresses.