For Immediate Release

August 26, 2007

Monroe, GA

For more information contact Tess Vanattia – HorseSouth Marketing, Graphics and Communications tess@horsesouth.com 706.492.5911 | 678.448.7287

The first annual North Carolina Equine Extravaganza is a success!

By day three of the  North Carolina Equine Extravaganza, the state fairgrounds in Raleigh saw crowds approaching  10,000 enjoying a true equine utopia!

“We are just thrilled with the crowds, the vendor feedback is positive, everything ran smoothly,” said Show producer Vicki O’Hara.

On hand for this long weekend where top horse pros from all over the United States and the world! Jim Wofford, Steffen Peters, Stacy Westfall, Terry Myers, Tommy Garland, Ryan Gingerich, Ed Dabney, Scott Purdum, Scott Hansen, Paul Maye, Dr. Don Hogland, Big Horse Productions as well as a host of other quality horse acts from all over the US.  Colleen Kelly make her second trek from “down under” to participate as a clinician at an Equine Extravaganza. 

“Our evening show was so much fun! From vaulting to swordplay we had it all and we had in on horseback,” O’Hara explained. “Based on this year’s attendance, our crowds next year may fill the Dorton Arena to capacity!” The innovative NCEE team went way beyond the door prize concept and a few lucky attendees won hundreds of dollars in prizes in an equine version of “Deal or No Deal” complete with three beautiful young ladies dressed to the nines!

Special event coordinator, Rachael O’Hara, orchestrated the game show vignette and the crowd absolutely loved it!   We want our attendees to be entertained as well as educated and to do that we have to think outside the box,” O’Hara said.  Saturday night’s winner took home a $3200 package for two that included 10 days of training, lodging and meals in Australia with the ever popular dressage judge and vaulting diva, Colleen Kelly. 

Along with the evening Equus Extraordinaire, the Extravaganza also hosted the first leg of the 2007 East Coast Trainer Challenge, sponsored by Rockin J Horse Stalls. Competitors Ed Dabney, Scott Purdum and Terry Myers worked with young horses from the North Carolina State University Equine Program. Dabney won the closely matched competition and his sorrel colt, and a buckskin colt, both sired by champion stallion ___ were auctioned by well known southern auctioneer Skip Turnbull. Scott Purdum’s buckskin filly was returned to the breeding program.

If you missed the North Carolina event, be in Richmond October 26-28th at the Virginia Equine Extravaganza!

“Above all else, we want horse owners and lovers to know that the Equine Extravaganza is more than an expo … it really is an experience that shouldn’t be missed,” said O’Hara .