What's the Minnesota Horse Expo? Minnesota's largest equine trade show with over 700 trade show booths in five State Fair buildings and lining the streets of the Expo grounds creating an easy access marketplace for anyone wanting to find merchandise related to horses/owners and compare brands, prices and features. Read more!
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Minnesota's Largest Equine Trade Show and Breed Exhibition Sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council April
26, 27, 28 - Minnesota State Fairgrounds 1265 Snelling Ave North, St. Paul, MN 55108 For Minnesota Horse Expo information, email us! Expo Office: 952-922-8666 or 877-462-8758
EXPO HOURS Friday April 26 8:30am-9:30pm (Cattle Barn, Poultry Barn, Dairy Building and CHS Building - buildings with majority of vendor booths - close at 7:00pm)
Saturday April 27 8:30am-9:30pm (Cattle Barn, Poultry Barn, Dairy Building and CHS Building - buildings with majority of vendor booths - close at 7:00pm)
Sunday April 28 8:30am - 5:00pm
EXPO ADMISSION Expo Tickets at the Gate Adults (13-61)........$13.00 Seniors (62+).........$ 9.00 Youth (6-12)..........$ 9.00 Child (5 & under)..... FREE
Expo 3-Day Tickets at the Gate Adults (13-61)........$35.00 Seniors (62+).........$25.00 Youth (6-12)..........$25.00
Free Horse Expo Parking in State Fair Parking Lots
Available at the MN Horse Expo - Wheelchair Rentals: Wheelchair
rentals will be available at the MN Horse Expo on a first come, first
serve basis. Wheelchair rental costs will be $20.00 (cash only) plus a
deposit. A current valid drivers license with photo will be required to
rent a wheelchair for the day. The wheelchairs will be available in
the Expo Office.
Dogs, except for service dogs, are prohibited from the Coliseum
and Horse Barn during the Minnesota Horse Expo. To fully enjoy all the Expo has
to offer, we recommend you leave your dog at
home.
Two feet of snow two weeks before
made all the Minnesota Horse Expo planners stop and wonder but the sun
cooperated, the snow melted, and the Expo went on as scheduled.Horses from over thirty-five breeds
participated in the daily Coliseum Parade of Breeds, the afternoon breed demos
or the stallion presentations. Minnesota Horse Council Horseperson of the Year
Karen Clark was driven into the ring with family and friends by Phil Odden and
his Norwegian Fjords on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday by Jason Goodman and
the six horse Young Living Oils Percheron hitch.
Two feature attractions at this Expo,
the PRCA rodeo and Ma’Ceo, the acrobatic equestrian show in the big top tent,
drew near capacity crowds at their Saturday performances.New in 2018, the Colt Starting Challenge USA
judges named Claude Roebuck from Sioux Falls SD winner of the competition after
riding his horse thru the obstacle course on Sunday.Gary Kuoppala from Iron MN was the runner
up.Many came early to Expo this year to
catch the colt starting in the Coliseum each morning starting as early as 8:30am
and stayed late to enjoy the live music of Roadhouse 6 outside the Horse Barn
until 10:30pm Friday and Saturday. Our thanks to the many persons responsible
for safely and enthusiastically organizing and running these events.
pic by Else Bigton
Clinicians Steve Edwards, Dan James
and Phil Odden demonstrated, answered questions and met with Expo-goers at
their booths and stalls.The Northern
Minnesota Draft Horse Association, the Minnesota Horse Breeders Association and
the North Star Draft Horse Association under the leadership of Mike Berthiaume
brought together draft teams and farm equipment from all over the state to
demonstrate how logging and farming routinely used to be done with horses.The Battle of the Breeds: Obstacle Challenge Advanced
Division was won for the second year in a row by Ashley Frones riding her
Tennessee Walker; the Novice Division by Dave Loftness riding his
Icelandic.Over thirteen breeds at the
Expo participated.
pic by Kathy Juhl
Ashley Frones - Advanced Winner Dave Loftness - Novice Winner pics by Carmel Huppert
Many informative and well attended
talks by the MN State Patrol, Lainie DeBoer, University of Minnesota Equine
Extension personnel, the Minnesota Farriers Association, the Long Lake Hounds
board members , Hay Chix founders Erin Olson and Kristine Jacobsen, and Horse
Council directors took place in the DNR Building and Cattle Barn Speaker
area.Thank you to all who generously
gave their time and expertise.
pic by Kathy Juhl
Booth vendors set up both in and
outside the State Fair buildings.From
feeders to trailers to embellished show clothing and hats to Expo logo
merchandise – it could be found at Expo.We welcome the product and information diversity and encourage new
vendors each year.Thousands of free
Expo programs were handed out at the gates for use at and after the Expo.Please continue to support the vendors who
participate at Expo throughout the rest of the year.
pic by Kathy Juhl
Thank you to the sponsors of the
rodeo, the wristbands, the band and the Minnesota Horse Expo in general.We appreciate that support and value the
partnerships created.To the many
volunteers who proudly wear the t-shirts and work tirelessly stuffing, handing
out, giving directions, sorting and selling – we thank you!
pic by Kathy Juhl
And especially - Thank you to all the
attendees of this year’s Expo.Thanks
for remembering and retelling that the money raised is used by the Minnesota
Horse Council to strengthen the horse industry in our state.To learn more about the MHC programs and how
you as a horse owner or member of a horse community might benefit visit
minnesotahorsecouncil.org.
pics by Kathy Juhl
Minnesota Horse Expo 2019 dates are
April 26-28.Look forward to seeing you
there.Please feel free to use the
survey at the top of the board here if you wish to make suggestions for the next Minnesota
Horse Expo.
