Horses come out for spring show

Thu., April 24, 2008

By Cindy Hval dchval@juno.com

Neither rain, nor snow, nor a seemingly endless winter, can stop some signs of spring – like the fourth annual Stallion Showcase and Horse Sale, Saturday at Valley Mission Horse Arena.

The event, billed as “an old-fashioned horse fair and open house,” is one of the first opportunities for local stables to get their horses out of the barns and into the public eye.

Margo Mossburg, who owns Dragoon Morgans with her husband, Dennis, founded the show several years ago. “A lot of people weren’t going out to farms to buy horses, so we decided to bring the horses to them.”

However, the event isn’t just for prospective horse owners. The Stallion Showcase gives breeders a chance to network, and offers the public an opportunity for an up-close look at a variety of horses.

According to Mossburg, more than 20 barns from three states, featuring at least 50 horses, will be participating. Morgan, appaloosa and quarter horses are just a few of the breeds that will be offered for private sale.

One of the most popular activities at the show is the Liberty Class, in which horses get to strut their stuff in front of the crowd. While not a formal showing, the audience will see each horse prance around the ring, and interact with its owner. A local 4-H group will be on hand to judge the event, which boasts a $100 jackpot for the winner.

Shelley Kerr, of Corkscrew Willow Ranch, attended last year’s show. She said the informal tenor of the event creates an inviting atmosphere for novice horse owners and for members of the public who just like to look at the animals.

This year Kerr will offer a free miniclinic on trailer loading. She’ll demonstrate the best techniques to safely load and travel with horses.

In addition, a class on horse photography will be offered. Taking good photos of horses can be tricky. “The lenses are round and horse faces are flat,” said Mossburg. “A wrong angle and the horse can look like an elephant or a giraffe.”

For the first time this year, the event will offer horse tack for sale. Many exhibitors will have tables set out with new and used saddles, blankets, bits and other items.

Organizers hope the relaxed atmosphere will encourage the public to attend and learn about the various breeds being shown. “The horses are the stars of the day,” Mossburg said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.