| Western States Horse Expo Wrap-Up |
June 10, 2008
by Bonnie Davis
|
|
Well, it's all over except for the shouting! The 10th edition of the Western States Horse Expo at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, closed its gates Sunday at approximately 6 pm and planning for the 11th annual Western States Horse Expo began!!
I always feel like there is nothing Miki Cohen can do to make the Expo bigger and better but each year she finds a way to do it!! This year the horse auction was back and it brought horses from throughout the country into the sale ring.
Gave "Horsecamping" demonstrations daily at 1 pm with a couple hundred folks attending each day and always happy to see those who have been there before. I love to hear from those who are listening for the first time and hear about the trips others have taken. Especially when it was "my first camping trip!"
One big discussion point just about anywhere one went throughout the three days was the price of fuel. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area I'm paying $5.59/gallon for diesel. Gasoline is running about $4.39 to $4.99/gallon. So finding trails and camping sites close to the home barn were big questions. This is the time when folks begin to look for trails in their own backyarda and the best place to start is with your own county recreation department.
One of the most popular booths Saturday was the one showing the race. Folks packed in the aisles to hear and watch if Big Brown would become a Triple Crown winner. Unfortunately, he didn't! So that lead to conversations and discussions as to why -- everything from "that hoof was worse than told" to "try running on a sore foot yourself" to "he just wasn't himself today." I think folks forget that horses are living, breathing animals who have 'off' days just like we do. And considering what Big Brown had been through the last week -- shoeing, clips, drain, etc. -- I was pulling for him but not surprised he didn't make it. I was just happy he didn't break down during the race! He'll go on to stud pasture and maybe next year a Triple Crown winner will come into the spotlight again.
I’ve still got to unpack my trailer and put vendor items away. But most of all, I want to sit in my chair, take my boots off and let my tired feet rest! I must have walked a million miles over the last 4, 5 days -- and still didn't get to see ALL of the 2008 10th Annual Western States Horse Expo. Maybe next year......
Stay safe!
Bonnie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technorati
Stumble It!
