The Expo is returning to Markham on March 27-29!
This year’s event will be held will be held at the Markham Fairground March 27-29. A lot of support has gone into this year both from the fans of the previous year and many new businesses and services coming in as exhibitors. Vendors are attending from Nova Scotia, Texas, and British Columbia, and across Ontario.
Last year with just 9 weeks of planning, the OEE launched and it was a huge success for its inaugural year.
“We just did our best to just take care of people” Ryan Kent stated. “My wife Miranda and I pulled off an impossible timeline to make this happen because we care about our equine community.” He went on to say “We have so many dear folks in our lives that have become like family to us from decades of saddling and showing horses in many different arenas over the last 30 years. With Everyone that attended, whether they were an exhibitor or an attendee, they all took a huge chance on us and their faith in our vision was the driving force on how we wanted to present the Expo to our guests.”
This year’s Ontario Equine Expo promises to be plethora of knowledge from world renowned clinicians. When the OEE team thought about the content, there was no substitute for quality and top professionals.
Amberley Snyder is the main celebrity highlight for Friday. Her story is inspiring to so many people in and out of the horse industry. “When we called her,” Said Ryan, “she was so gracious and kind. She loved the idea of how we wanted to present our show to our guests. She is world famous for presenting clinics and speeches at events like the National Finals Rodeo, and some of the biggest barrel racings across the U.S.” She has also made an appearance on Yellowstone and She has her own Netflix movie, Walk, Ride, Rodeo.
A great feature will also be the 3-part boys club of Rick Weibe, from Saskatchewan, Tyler DeLange from Michigan, and Chet Martin from Ontario. This trio of trainers show horses at an absolute top level in the cow horse, cutting, and reining industries. What is great about this group is not only their accolades, but also how they are all professional horsemen that have worked together at different shows across Canada and the U.S. These 3 gentlemen are calm, knowledgeable and a lot of fun when put together. Ryan said “We decided the best way to present them would be to pair them up in different clinics and demonstrations over the weekend.”
Jill Barron is not to be left out of the OEE line up. Jill hails from Alberta, Canada and she is hosting clinics and sessions over the weekend. Her first trip to Ontario will be met from the welcoming atmosphere from the Ontario equine industry. Jill is a multi-talented rider.
From running the Calgary Stampede drill team, to riding in high level dressage, and she also includes so many specialty areas of the equine industry.
Jason and Bronwyn Irwin Horsemanship are of course included in the weekend. Jason and Bronwyn have worked incredibly hard to build their business, hosting Clinics and demonstrations across North America. They are local to Ontario and host their own television show, The Horse Trainers, on RFD TV. They have been featured at the Equine Affair, Horse Expo Canada, and Canada’s Got Talent, just to name a few. Jason and Bronwyn are genuine people that fit perfectly into the atmosphere of the Expo.
All this and many more talented people will be featured in the RMK Trailer Sales/Equipment Ontario main arena, the Branding Barn demonstration ring, and the Chatterbox Saloon.
Friday night will feature a brand-new event, never been done before. The Battle of the Bridles. In this event, riders from all different arenas will combine talents in a performance horse showcase. Show jumping, mini chucks, reining, cow horse, cutting, barrel racing, dressage, roping, and mounted archery riders will all combine to create a special event featuring horses from many disciplines competing for bragging rights and a championship buckle for each class. (The English group loved the idea of winning a belt buckle) 4 riders in each discipline, a rodeo announcer, and a soundtrack, will make this a “can’t miss” event.
“The purpose of this is to show off what our equine partners can to do. The jumps, the stops, the spins, the elegant dancing, the targets and working cattle”, explained Ryan. “Top show horses from Canada and the U.S. will be entered in this invitational. Our OEE clinicians will also be featured.”
What about the Saturday night? “What can we do? Well, the Black Creek Rodeo Company is back. Last year it was standing room only for this bull riding performance. Sold out.” Packed to the rafters. What does that have to do with the Expo? A good break. Fun. Entertainment. Laughs and adrenaline. From the pickup man to the clown, these large bovines came flying out of the chutes while the crowd cheered watching riders hit the dirt.
The Expo will also feature Association Alley. The OEE invited many associations to be a part of the OEE, Free of charge. Because the OEE cares about the industry. “The content in the arena is great, and we want you as our guest to have access to the places that are the backbone of our industry,” said Ryan.
The exhibitor list has more than doubled over last year. They will feature more buildings full of professional people. Feed companies. Trailer companies. Tack. Clothing. Accessories. And much more. If they care, They are there. Everyone and every business have been invited.
Ryan said “The Ontario Equine Expo has one goal. To present the best available talent and business from every aspect of the equine industry. And to you as our guest, we are here to serve you.
“Thank you to everyone for setting this up as a must attend event. Ontario is a gold mine for talent and content. We are simply just presenting you the space to show it off.”
Tickets are available on thier website, www.ontarioequinexpo.ca
