Noelle Vander Brink, Brodheadsville, coordinated the Elite Equestrian spring horse expo at the Allentown Fairgrounds on April 10. There were 74 vendors' tables and 10 demonstrators using an indoor arena.

Vander Brink said the expos are growing in popularity. There have been two spring expos and one in the fall."We try to fill the need for a medium-size regional show meeting the needs of local people. It gives vendors the opportunity to meet potential clients. They can see the horses work, meet members of horse organizations and learn about current legislation that affects horse people," she said.She termed it a fun, family, affordable event where horse people can meet other horse people.Jann O'Leary Costa riding Magic and Johnny Costa riding Hank carried the flag in an opening ceremony. They are from J.C. Cutting Horses in Boyertown.A Percheron was not sure he wanted to come indoors, but Lori Williamson urged him and he came. She said the 10 year old has a lot of scars under his remaining winter coat and had been abused. He is 18 hands tall (a hand is four inches).The Percheron is an old breed from the 1600s. They were used by knights because they had strength and were athletic. As a war horse they had to be maneuverable.With the advent of guns the horses adapted to a new life as a coach horse. They were popular in France. From France they came to this country in 1839 and became farm horses."He respects my space. You cannot make him do anything but you can work together," said Williamson of her horse.Doris Betzenberger and Alice Bastian were manning the Lehigh Valley Horse Council booth. The council had posted a newspaper article about helping restore Jacobsburg State Park after it flooded. Horses had to be used to haul equipment because it was too wet for vehicles.The council sponsors events such as tack swaps, disaster preparedness meetings, clinics and horse trials. Once a year a horse directory is published. The March-April newsletter has an article about new requirements for pulling a trailer on the road. For information call 610-759-7985.The PA Equine Council can provide horse insurance and worked for years to get a liability law passed protecting horse owners. It has a youth program and provides classes on helping take care of trails because it is the belief that, if horsemen help take care of them, they will remain open to riders. For information contact

jjasm@ptd.net.Sonny Garguilo demonstrated the ease with which Sis, an Arabian with whom he has worked for three years, responds to his commands. She had been trained using natural horsemanship training.Sis nods "yes" and "no" in response to questions and side steps. Garguilo said she does not know they are tricks.He took the bridle off and Sis continued to respond to his requests. "Anybody can do this. It just takes time," he said.Next he brought in Bones, a 5-year-old Quarterhorse that was afraid of everything. He would make a whoosing noise and Bones would shy, but after hearing it often enough she calmed down. Garguilo petted the horse all over until she quit shivering from fear.A D-stick was used to tap her sharply (not painfully) and then it was turned around and a flag on the other end was rubbed all over her body. Steven Fisher, a young boy, was brought in and was promised a reward if he swept the arena with the flag, but Garguilo backed out and did not reward him. He used that as an example of why treats should not be used in training. The horse comes to expect it, and sometimes a treat is not available.Costas came back to demonstrate what a cutting horse can do. A girl, Brittany Westcott, walked back and forth with the horse cutting her off both with and without a bridle. Jann O'Leary said a horse can cut anything, not just cows."We ride with our bodies because for cutting a rider cannot use the reins," said Jann.Learning to ride and work with a horse should not be stressful. She said they want their horses to go to bed happy.Aaron Rohrback showed children how to hold a rope for a youth roping contest. Heather Garland helped them attempt to rope a steerhead. There were prizes for two age levels.Afternoon demonstrations were collar training, patriotic ride, natural horsemanship part 2, and Parelli principles.For information about future expos or the Elite Equestrian magazine check

www.eliteequestrian.us.