The United States Trotting Association (USTA) has signed on as a sponsor of the 8th annual Equine Extravaganza, a three day horse expo to be held November 2 – 4 in Richmond, Virginia.
Standardbred show horse
The Standardbred is an intelligent, athletic and willing animal that can excel in virtually any discipline off the racetrack and will be among rescued horses at Extravanza.
© 2012 by Jean
The event, which features hundreds of vendor booths, clinicians and performers and all breeds of horses and disciplines, is one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast. Equine Extravaganza’s Horse Rescue Initiative is dedicated to highlighting horses in need of new homes and the rescues that support them.
Equine Extravaganza uses rescue horses in clinics and demonstrations whenever possible and also gives rescue and adoption groups the opportunity to promote their organization, find new volunteers, increase awareness for their cause and help find homes for horses in their care.
Equine Extravaganza also hosts the “Rags To Riches” Talent Search, in which horses from rescue and adoption programs show the public their talents and skills. Judges for the competition include Harry de Leyer, Elizabeth Letts (author of the book about Harry and Snowman), Ericka Caslin, and Elizabeth Shatner.
The USTA sponsorship will ensure that several Standardbreds are featured at Equine Extravaganza. “The Standardbred is an intelligent, athletic and willing animal that can excel in virtually any discipline off the racetrack,” said USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner.
“We are happy to support Equine Extravaganza’s efforts to showcase horses of all breeds that need a second chance and hope that other registries will do the same. We all have a lot to gain when the widest possible audience sees what our horses can do.”
“The United States Trotting Association (USTA) exemplifies the role breed registries fill for their horses,” said Vicki O’Hara, event organizer. “USTA was so enthusiastic about the mission of getting horses adopted and quickly acted to support not only Standardbreds, but the Horse Rescue initiative in general,” O’Hara said. “We hope to have the opportunity to work with other registries in our efforts to help the rescues find homes for these great horses.”
In addition to several Standardbreds, rescued breeds represented at Equine Extravaganza will include Arabians, Shires, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Paints, Morgans and more.
About Equine Extravaganza
Equine Extravaganza®, a production of Maryland-based Moonlark, Inc., is a comprehensive, all-breed, all-discipline horse expo, and is one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast. The eighth annual event will be held Nov. 2–4, 2012 at the Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond, Virginia, and will feature hundreds of the country’s top equine vendors, sponsors, clinicians, performers and professionals.