5th Annual Mid-Ohio Equine Expo
It’s that time of year again. Time for horse enthusiasts, trainers, breeders, families and kids of all ages to gather at the fifth annual Mid-Ohio Equine Expo on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26 at the Mt. Hope Event Center for equine education and family fun.
“My brother, Reuben, and I started this event with the goal of educating people about the industry of raising exceptional foals to serve as roadsters and eventually broodmares and show horses,” Robert Hershberger said. “The Expo offers guidance from experts in this industry and vendors offering products to help equine enthusiasts grow and improve.” Hershberger says the Expo is always looking for vendors interested in participating in the event each year, sharing their expertise, and connecting with attendees outside of a typi-cal sales setting. “We want vendors who really want to grow their brand and we want them to feel like they can do that here.”
Expect a full day on Friday packed with vendors and seminars educating attendees on how to be successful in this booming industry. Speakers like Dr. Barbara Ann Murphy, founder of Equilume Ltd. in Kildare, Ireland, who developed a blue light therapy mask used on horses to encourage cycling, will be available to share her expertise in stallion and mare reproduction.
Along with educating attendees about the equine industry, raising foals and offering the techniques, products and skills necessary for success, the expo is a family-centered event.
The expo is an opportunity to receive support from veterinarians, trainers, successful breeders new in the industry. It also gives the vendors a space to showcase their new products. “There will be some new products this year that the vendors are excited to share,” Hershberger said.
All of that along with traditional Amish-made food, kids activities and entertainment make the Mid-Ohio Equine Expo an experience you won’t want to miss. Check out the line-up for the expo weekend.
Friday, Nov. 25
10 a.m. - Joint Health, Conformation and Bit Fitting. Speaker: Dr. Mark Piecoro. Sponsor: Buckeye Bits.
11 a.m. - The Benefits of Proper Trimming and Shoeing Roundtable. Speakers: Conrad Kaufman, Lavern Mast, Lester Yoder. Sponsor: Agri-Tonic.
Noon - How Quality Nutrition, Hay and Water Promote Proper Growth and Development. Speaker: Dr. Nicole Rambo, Ph.D. Sponsor: Tribute.
1 p.m. - General Horse Health Q-and-A: Colic, Ulcers and More. Speaker: Dr. Melissa Milligan. Sponsor: Buckeye Nutrition, Mt. Hope Elevator.
2 p.m. - Stallion & Mare Reproduction Seminar. Speakers: David Riddle and Dr. Barbara Ann Murphy. Sponsor: Five Star Horse Mineral, R&R Equine.
3 p.m. - Roadster Horse Training. What to Look for in a Show Horse. Speaker: John Walker. Sponsor: EberGlo.
4 p.m. - Broodmare Management Roundtable: Selecting and Managing a Successful Broodmare. Speakers: Marty Troyer and Merle Stoltzfus. Sponsor: Yoders Nutrition.
6 p.m. - Motivational Speaker: Master Sgt. Cedric King. Sponsor: DAC. Listen to the story of veteran and IED survivor Cedric King. He will talk about his journey of becoming an amputee after a second tour in Afghanistan lead to internal injury, permanent damage to his right hand, and the loss of both legs which he refers to now as his finest hour.
7 p.m. - Business Roundtable Discussion: Integrity in Leadership — The Value of a Reliable Employee to the Workplace and Economy. Speakers: Gary Lambright, owner, Silvercraft, Indiana; Jr. Miller, Kauffman Realty; Randy Jacobs, owner DAC. Sponsor: Hillside Harness.
8 p.m. - Comedy Performance by Mike Hemmelgarn. Sponsor: Equi-Lete.
Saturday, Nov. 26
8:30 a.m. - Standardbred Yearling Sale.
Noon - Equine Expo Youth Art Challenge. Drawing Contest for kids age 6-15.
Kid’s Seminar following Art Challenge will feature a hackney pony. Winners of Art Challenge categories can drive the pony.
“People aren’t just buying their roadsters and buggy horses off the racetrack anymore. They are buying the foals and raising them themselves,” Hershberger said. “There are more people than ever this year requesting catalogs for the yearling sale on Saturday.
We’ll be offering 217 of the best pedigreed yearlings available.” “This industry is growing, and families are getting the kids involved at young ages,” Hershberger said. “So come out early, tour the stalls with the kids and find a yearling for them to break, train and grow up with. It’s an investment in your kids and your family’s future.”
The Mid-Ohio Equine Expo and Standardbred Yearling Sale will take place at the Mt. Hope Event Center at 8076 state Route 241 in Mt. Hope. Show hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25 and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. Friday tickets are $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Saturday is free to all attendees. Friday morning there will be free coffee and donuts sponsored by KayCee’s.