A three day event will be held on October 24-26 2008 in Sedalia, Missouri that is geared toward women involved in the horse industry. The event is a celebration of Women and Horses. It is aimed at horsewomen ,whether they are first time horse owners, long time horse owners, horse enthusiasts, professional horsewomen or horse related business owners.

The concept for this event came out of the Women and Horses Mind, Spirit and Body seminars that are conducted by Cheryl Childs and her staff. The seminars deal with assisting women in overcoming fears and bad experiences that may be stopping them from enjoying their horses. “It’s about how women relate differently to their horses, and to problems with their horses, than most men do,” Cheryl explains. Out of that came the concept for an event aimed at horsewomen.

“Women are just going crazy over this event,” explains Cathy Childs, owner of New Visions Marketing & Promotions- an equine advertising/marketing business that is co-producing the event. “ We are getting calls from all over the country from women wanting to attend, participate and be vendors,” Cathy says. This has all happened since mid-January when the initial press releases and advertising went out.

Women are so excited about  this event that they are literally spreading the word about it on horseback. “ We have had women call and say they heard about the event while they were riding with friends,” Cheryl says. It appears that horsewomen are willing to support this event in every way they can - whether it’s attending, participating in breed or discipline demonstrations, being vendors, presenting, or lecturing. Women are 80% of the market out there and they want to be recognized as the driving force in the horse industry by companies they patronize. Along with the trade show (featuring the latest and most innovative products for horses and their owners) there will be breed demonstrations, a stallion showcase, stallion parades, and a daily parade of breeds. An Equine Art contest and Women and Horses “Stall of Fame” (honoring  horsewomen and their accomplishments) are being planned for the run of the expo. There will be a host of speakers and lecturers presenting on wide  variety of topics.

Julie Goodnight, of Horse Master television show on RFD-TV, will be presenting several times during the event.  Templeton Thompson Singer/Songwriter will perform with her horse Jane.   Imagine a Horse will entertain and inform with enlightened trick training. Cheryl Childs of Women and Horses, Mind, Spirit and body will speak during the event. Claudia Misner, who is a German trained dressage rider and judge will perform dressage demonstrations at beginner and advanced levels and  Lyn Walker of Lynwood Equine will be joined by other guest speakers.  Gary Norris of Quarter Ridge trailers will also be presenting “ Trailer Safety and Backing” demonstrations ( men are welcome). The Royal Friesians of Kansas City, an all Friesian all woman drill team, will be performing daily.

Excitement for this event is spreading into the corporate world as well. Corporate sponsors for the event include  Alltech (the company sponsoring the 2010 World Equestrian Games) , Smartpak,  and  Agrifresh (makers of an odor eliminator for horse stalls). Watch for more corporate sponsors in anticipation of the success of this event.