Virginia and North Carolina make up the very heart of Mid-Atlantic horse country, and the logical place to bring together the mid-Atlantic horse industry in one exciting horse event for every equestrian.  According to the 2001 Virginia Horse Industry Census, this area is a mecca of equestrian activities, with a huge concentration of both horses and the people who work with  and love them.... a perfect location for an equestrian exposition and horse tradeshow!

North Carolina Horse Industry

Virginia Horse Industry

The North Carolina Equestrian Community

The North Carolina Horse Industry, by: Steven Lathrop, N.C.D.A. Horse Marketing Specialist

The North Carolina Horse Industry is recognized among national breed associations and agribusiness as a rapidly growing industry. Below is an excerpt from Steven Lathrop's article.  For the complete article, click on link above.

Horses are a way of life for thousands of people in North Carolina. There is virtually no area of the state where a horse farm is not within a few miles drive. All 100 counties have some type of horse activities. North Carolina has historically been a state with a vibrant horse industry and as other areas of agriculture have begun to decline the horse industry continues to expand in numbers and economic impact. In 1955 when the last USDA census was taken there were 61,000 head of horses in the state. By 1971 that number had climbed to 113,000. Despite difficulty in obtaining accurate numbers, the N.C.D.A. Division of Marketing estimates that there are currently 225,000 head of horses in the state.

In addition to large numbers of horses in N.C. the quality of the industry is very high. All major breeds are represented in the state and most can point to National and International Champions as well as high quality breeding stock. North Carolina annually exports several hundred head of horses to foreign countries.

Today, the Tar Heel horse industry is valued at $750 million annually, providing jobs through the many breeding, training, and boarding stables; the equine related fields such as veterinarians, farmers, feed dealers, tack and equestrian wear stores, insurance, etc. In 1993 over 77,000 tons of registered horse feed was sold in the state. By 1999, this amount had increased to over 100,000 tons. As estimated 4 million pounds of hay are eaten by horses each year adding to the economic base in each county.

But the horse business is not all business. There are over 15,000 4-H horse projects here and untold numbers of pleasure riders. North Carolina has the 2nd largest 4-H Program in the country and this program helps our youth grow into responsible adults of tomorrow.

Recently, there has been a great migration of horsemen to North Carolina from all over the U.S. Explanations have included the steady growth of horse numbers here, the state's hospitality, the number of major shows within easy driving distance (there are over 500 shows held in the state each year), the low cost of living, and climate.

In 1983, the James B. Hunt Horse Complex was completed in Raleigh and has been booked virtually every week since. Additionally, the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Asheville is heavily used by the horse industry throughout the year and now contains two indoor arenas and one covered arena. In 1997, the Senator Bob Martin Eastern North Carolina Agricultural Center was opened in Williamston. The Center contains a 150' x 300' main arena with 400 stalls and plans for additional stables and arenas.

There are many equine educational opportunities in North Carolina. North Carolina State University has an outstanding undergraduate program in Animal Science with an emphasis on equine studies. The University also has a large Equine Educational Center located off campus. In addition, the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C.S.U. is heavily devoted to equine work. For the student interested in a two-year course of study, Martin Community College in Williamston, N.C. has an excellent equine program which includes a large teaching barn and indoor arena. St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, N.C. offers a four-year program in riding and equine studies.

In 1974, the North Carolina Horse Council formed and is an umbrella organization serving as the voice of the horse industry - individual owners, associations, clubs, trail riders, stables, academies, therapeutic groups, veterinarians, research groups, 4-H programs, educational facilities and equine related businesses. The NCHC seeks unity of all facets of the horse industry. The Council addresses and works to solve problems detrimental to the growth of its industry. It also works to keep the horse owner informed of pertinent laws and other equine related information.

The NCHC works to promote favorable legislation for the horse industry and to keep the horse owner informed of changes in laws that effect them. In addition, the council works to help develop and support laws which benefit horse owners in North Carolina. In 1997, the N.C.H.C. was responsible for having an Equine Liability Law passed by the General Assembly. The N.C.H.C. markets liability law signs (they are mandatory under the law) that are available by contacting the state office at 919-821-1030 or through the council's website at http://www.nchorsecouncil.com

 The North Carolina State Fair Horse Show is one of the largest all-breed shows in the nation. An average of 2,400 head of horses have competed over the 18 day event during the last five years. The Duke's Children's Classic Horse Show held every November has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Children's Hospital at Duke University. World class jumpers compete every year during the Grand Prix Classic.

The North Carolina Horse Industry, by: Steven Lathrop, N.C.D.A. Horse Marketing Specialist

The Virginia Equestrian Community

The 2001 Virginia Equine Survey, the first comprehensive study of its kind, reveals staggering figures for the Virginia horse industry.   The survey shows that as of June 2001 there were an estimated 170,000 horses in over 29,000 operations throughout the state.  Virginia equine operations spent a total of nearly $505 million during 2001 caring for horses.  Total expenses per horse averaged $2969 and total expenses per operation averaged $17,406.  The top five expense categories were:         

Of the estimated 170,000 horses in Virginia, over half are concentrated in the 100 mile radius around Richmond, where the Equine Extravaganza® will be held.  With numbers like these, you can see why this rich equestrian area just south of our nation’s capital is the perfect location to launch a new equine exposition.

Location, Location, Location

The Virginia Equine Extravaganza® is held at the centrally positioned Richmond Raceway Complex, located just outside of the city of Richmond in beautiful Henrico County. Richmond, one of the most historic cities in the United States, is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Henrico County is over 350 years old.   Located in the center of the state and within an hours drive from Washington DC and Charlottesville, Norfolk and Maryland horse country, Richmond offers the ideal location for a Virginia horse expo.  Additional markets that we expect to pull from include North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.  The combination of this centrally located and easy accessible venue and an extended thriving horse community make this area a perfect location for an equine expo.  For additional convenience, the Richmond Raceway Complex is just 6 miles from Richmond Airport, giving the expo easy access for airport travelers, as well.

The North Carolina Equine Extravaganza®  is held at the centrally located NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC.  Just an hour from Southern Pines, this area is one of the fastest growing equestrian communities in the east.  Raleigh will also draw from South Carolina and nearby Tennessee and Kentucky. 

Please call us or send us an email if you have a question or would like more information.  We look forward to seeing you at the Equine Extravaganza®.