April 2018 30 April 2018 30 T HE AZHC & EXPO is an exciting three-day event that showcases the beauty, power, and ability of our equine companions. It will host some of the most accomplished horsemen of our time, professional trainers from all disciplines, and incredible exhibitions that capture the spirit of the horse. There will be over 40 clinics and exhibitions offered over the weekend in 5 different arenas. Ride with the Expert Participation Clinics will be offered, a colt starting championship, a BLM mustang and donkey adoption event, shopping, great food and more. Whether you are an equine owner or just have a love for horses, there is something for everyone at this event in Queen Creek at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre. Challenge of the Champions The Arizona Horseman’s Challenge was created by Jody Swink of “No Sweat” Natural Horsemanship in 2013. This colt starting competition is truly exciting to watch, as all 5 trainers compete at the same time, in separate round pens, in the same arena. This year features the ‘Challenge of the Champions’, where 5 exceptional Arizona Horseman’s Challenge champions from the last five years will compete throughout the weekend for the coveted title. Each trainer will work with a halter broke mustang provided by the Mustangs of America and the Florence Prison training program. They will train in 2-hour sessions, over three days for a total of 8 hours. On Sunday there will be a finale to show off what they and their colts have accomplished, and an auction offering the started colts to new homes to further their training. New this year, they will be choosing their mustangs and have their first session at 6 pm Friday, May 11th. The returning champions from the past five years are Lanny Leach, Samantha Jepson, Thomas Clover, JJ Anderson and Travis Lyons. Where are they now? JJ Anderson is a Wild Horse Specialist with the WHIP (Wild Horse Inmate Program) in Florence Arizona, helping inmates train mustangs for the BLM. Lanny Leach and his son Logan own and operate Leach Horse Training in Ainsworth, Nebraska. Travis Lyons is mainly doing colt starting at his home in the Verde Valley. Samantha Jepson is working with a training facility that has multiple assistant trainers, an active student program, and a show team. Thomas Clover is currently is pursuing a career in the reined cow horse industry working with Jeremy Meador Performance Horses, as well as working with all the young horses and babies from breeder Redtail Ranch in Star, Idaho. Arizona Horseman’s Challenge & Expo This year the AZHC & Expo will be dedicating one of the event’s five arenas to Ride with the Expert Participation Clinics. This is an opportunity for you to bring your own horse and ride with an expert in a small clinic setting, receiving one on one help and instruction time. This year Lanny Leach will be offering two different Participation Clinics; Problem Solving- Horse & Rider and The Purpose of Riding with Your Legs. Samantha Jepson will instruct her clinic - Riding Engaged. Thomas Clover will be offering- Fundamental Body Control. Buddy Uldrikson will be teaching -Horsemanship for Barrel Racing. Greg Robinson will offer two different clinics; Great Horsemanship Made Easy and Training for Ultimate Versatility. Eric Lynn will teach- Communicating with Your Donkey. Tom Hagwood will offer Great Basin Bridle Horse Basics. Katherine Calkins will teach EQUI- Librium: What is the Seat? These trainers are attending the AzHC & Expo from all over the country to be on hand to impart their wisdom and training methods. For more information and to sign up to ride with an expert, go to azhcexpo.com Ride with an Expert 2014 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge winner Lanny Leach is returning for the Challenge of the Champions. He will be offering 2 Ride with the Expert clinics.