Minnesota EquiFest Home


Dave Robart  

World Champion, Dave Robart has spent his entire life around horses. Dave, is a fourth generation horse trainer. Dave's father, Dink, trained and also rode race horses as a jockey. Dave spent much of his childhood on Roy Rogers ranch where his father trained Rogers race horses. When Dave was just 11 years old he started exercising race horses on the bush tracks in California. Dave always seemed to have a special way with problem horses. He had the uncanny ability to cool out unruly race horses that other handlers refused to work with. Dave began breaking horses with his father in his early teens. Dave opened his own training center in 1985 at the young age of 23, where he was quickly recognized for his work in solving behavior problems in horses. Because Dave was willing to work with all breeds and disciplines, other professional horse trainers would send horses for Dave to work on problem areas they could not deal with. Dave also achieved national and regional titles showing in many disciplines and breeds.

Steve Smith  

Steve Smith Steve along with his wife Wendy own and operate Cornerstone Training Center located in Scurry Texas. Shortly after high school Steve started his first apprenticeship under a captain of the United Mounted Peace Officers of Texas. He later went on to a four year apprenticeship where his training experience and knowledge truly blossomed. Steve has been training for fifteen years and enjoys all phases of training from foal handling to advanced riding. As he demonstrates at expos and clinics throughout the U.S. his goal is to educate and share what he has learned helping both horse and horse owners unlock their fullest potential.
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TJ Clibborn  

TJ was born in Glen Innes, New South Wales , Australia . At eight years old his grandfather, Sid Kirkwood, took him to a clinic held by Australian horseman Kel Jefferies, one of the first of the "natural horsemen” who used sticks and flags to train a horse instead of the sometimes violent methods which were commonly accepted and widely used at that time. TJ instantly knew the path he would take on his journey to becoming a horseman and by twelve he knew wanted to spend his life working with horses. Participating as a young rodeo cowboy in the Australian rodeo circuit in bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, calf roping and steer wrestling. At the same time he was also riding show jumpers, and finding success on the Australian Bushman’s Horse Racing Circuit where his eight year career as a jockey took him from the Australian tracks to Japan and later the United States . Deciding to expand his knowledge in the show arena, he moved to Europe where he learned to train Grand Prix Show Jumpers. In 1990, TJ arrived in the United States with little to his name: his saddle, gear bag, suit case and a way to make a living with horse. He first found work giving horseback tours in Maui , Hawaii and carriage rides in Sacramento , CA . A chance meeting found him training prized show Arabians in North Carolina before moving on to Boston he reestablished himself as a jockey and in the show jumper world before being asked to return west to help start a ranch in Montana. This westward adventure took him to Arizona and then to Colorado where he teamed up with his rodeo idol, Larry Mahan. In 1995 at one Larry Mahan’s Clinics TJ was approached by a couple from Indiana wanting him to hold a clinic for them in the Hoosier state. When his first clinic was a roaring success, it soon it became apparent that Indiana was to become TJ’s home base. For ten years he has been training horses, conducting clinics, judging horse shows, and organizing trail rides. His goal continues to be to help as many people through his “Calm, Australian, Training Method”. By understanding the principles of C.A.L.M., horse lovers are able to develop a "True Partnership" with their horse because they are not only learning, but taking to heart, and creating a foundation based on: respect,trust, communication, and love for their horse. Currently he trains and conducts clinics in Westfield , Indiana and in the winter in Ocala Florida . To contact TJ: 765-729-1217 or visit his website at www.TJClibborn.com
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Dr. Tom Tweeten  

Dr. Tom Tweeten Demonstrations

Saturday Morning(approx:11:00)
RUBBING-GROOMING-COMMUNICATING

Tom will be working with a horse to demonstrate various aspects of safe and effective horse grooming care. Through this process, the horse and rider can begin to focus on each other. The goal is to get both the horse and the rider to soften and relax in preparation for the riding activity.

Presentation A: RUBBING-GROOMING-COMMUNICATING (DEMO AREA-HORSE)

I will be working with a horse to demonstrate various aspects of safe and effective horse care. Through this process, the horse and rider can begin to focus on each other. The goal is to get both the horse and the rider to soften and relax in preparation for the riding activity.

Presentation B: THE SCIENCE OF GROOMING (LECTURE HALL)

I will be talking about different types grooming ingredients and their impact on the grooming process. I will compare and contrast the human grooming process to the horse grooming process. The tools, techniques, and materials that will be demonstrated are effective for both thick winter coats and lighter summer coats. In addition, the process that will be shown can also decrease the time needed to body clip your horse.

Presentation C: ATTITUDES ABOUT GROOMING. (Demo Area-Horse)

Preparing your horse for a ride or workout is a time for the rider and horse to focus on each other, get to know each other and build trust and respect. I will share my thoughts and ideas on how grooming care will prepare both the horse and rider for an enjoyable time together both before and after the ride. You will begin to have a deeper appreciation of how to help your horse feel good and look clean.

Presentation D: ARE YOU READY TO RIDE? (LECTURE HALL 1)

I will share techniques I have developed to care and maintain my horse coat, manes, tails, and hooves. I will talk about protecting tails in order to help them grow and become more flowing. Time will also be devoted to showing how to care for the legs and hooves including getting them ready for the show ring. The presentation will also include an emphasis on the safety aspects of working with your horse.

PRESENTER: Thomas N. Tweeten, PhD
SPONSOR: ATH Science, Inc., 4190 190th Street E, Prior Lake, MN 55372
www.equiscentials.com

Dr. Thomas Tweeten Dr. Tweeten is a scientist with more than 30 years experience in Analytical Chemistry. EquiScentials Horse Care Products have been developed by Dr. Tweeten, a horse owner and trainer. His frustration with human care products adapted for horse use and with products which use synthetic fragrances lead him to start working on his first horse product, Coat Enhancer, in 1995. Utilizing his professional experience in chemistry and nutrition, he set out to define, then develop products that would help maintain the coat's natural shine and at the same time help reduce skin irritations causing itching and rubbing. As a competitor, he wanted products that would enhance the horse's appearance, shorten preparation time for showing or just going for a trail ride.
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Dr Marcia Thibeault  

Saturday Afternoon(approx:2:00)

Sunday Afternoon(approx:1:00)
So You Want To Be a Vet? An Insider's Look At A Career As An Equine Vet.

Award winning lecturer, author, and veterinarian Dr. Marcia Thibeault will be doing readings from her books I Make Horse Calls and More Horse Calls. Called “The American James Herriot” Dr. Thibeault combines her passion for veterinary medicine with a humorous look at human nature. A horse lover herself, Dr. Thibeault has spent her life caring for horses, both as an owner and as a vet. Her books I Make Horse Calls and More Horse Calls, take a light-hearted look at the life of an equine veterinarian. These heartwarming, not heartbreaking, stories are about the interesting horses and their owners Dr. Thibeault met during her daily rounds as a horse vet in Colorado. Characters include Jet, the elderly, ex-racehorse who dug a hole in his stall and got his head trapped so tightly under the barn wall that the fire department’s heavy rescue unit had to be called, Mary Wilkinson, the owner who seeks veterinary assistance because her horse’s bowel movement is an hour late, and the class of teenaged boys who fainted during a career day outing to the vet clinic because a colt was being castrated before their eyes. The books were selected for the Kentucky Book Fair, and nominated for the American Library Association’s Amelia Bloomer Project for providing a positive role model for women of all ages. A big hit with adult and young adult readers alike, I Make Horse Calls also offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a veterinary student and is a must read for any young rider hoping to someday become a veterinarian. Autographed copies will be available at the festival. Come visit Dr. Thibeault at the Festival.

Dennis Auslam  

Dennis Auslam, owner of Redwood Stables in Morton, MN has been working with all levels of riders and horses for over 28 years. His work with horses includes everything from starting colts to finishing advance performance, halter, pleasure, and trail horses. His training principles and the overall focus of his training is to utilize techniques that eliminate the rough handling of horses. Whether training a particular breed of horse, passing along techniques or teaching responsibility to young riders through lessons, it gives us great joy to be able to expand people's knowledge of the potential of their horse and the relationship between horse and owner.

Wayne Williams  

Mr. Williams has a long background in Radio both on the air as a disc jockey as well as newscaster along with working behind the scenes in sales and production.

Mr. Williams has always been involved with horses. Since age 6 to present, he has involved himself with horses. He has appeared in Parades from the Indianapolis 500 Parade to the Rose Bowl Parade, exhibited in Open and Palomino shows, and most recently, he and his wife Pat pay tribute to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on Horseback with Silver Saddles and costumes of the era. Mr Williams has totally dedicated himself to the Equine Industry since 1985. This is when a part time passion became a full time career.

Mr. Williams began mixing his announcing background with horses as the "Voice of the Midwest Horsefair". He has become the "Voice" of over 20 top Horse Expo's Nationwide. He also aids many Expo's in presenting entertainment on horseback and various equine acts.

For relaxation, Wayne enjoys Trail Riding and camping with wife Pat, in addition to riding in parades, and be the man "Behind the Microphone".

He is the host of "Speaking of Horses" on demand radio and TV which continually brings a variety of Equine information to you at your fingertips on Speaking of Horses and now on Dish Channel 9411.

Wener Theidemann  

With over 30 years of experience in the horse industry, Werner works to create understanding and a safe, positive relationship between horse and rider. Whether he is working with a colt in the round pen or helping a rider work their horse through a challenging problem, he stresses understanding equine behavior and effective communication with the horse. From the basics to the finished performance horse and rider, let Werner help you develop your skills and understanding.Additional information can be found on his website at Thiedemann Performance Horses

Betsy Weiland  

Betsy Wieland Bio I am the Agriculture Extension Educator for Hennepin County Extension, starting in September of 2004. As most County Extension Educators do, I help answer any agricultural question that comes my way. However, the majority of my time has been spent working with horse owners on management issues like pasture management, manure management, implementing conservation practices and barn safety. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree at the U of M in the Department of Agronomy. In my spare time I enjoy riding my family’s 3 horses and playing with the dogs.

Ginny Pomije/Big Black Horse  

Mane and Tail Braiding with Ginny Pomije
Ginny will demonstrate the basic braiding techniques for manes and tails. Techniques that will be shown are mane roll, four strand braiding, French braiding and Diamond braids. These basic braiding techniques are the foundation for most styles of mane and tail braiding. Ginny shows the tools needed and tips to get your horse ready for the show ring or special event. Ginny, who has always been a horse lover, enjoys spending time with their 5 horses. Ginny uses these braiding techniques when she and her husband, Jeff drive their Percheron horses in local parades and show at area fairs. They also own bigblackhorse.com and keep busy helping people find the right driving and horse equipment.

Cordia Pearson  

Saddle Fitting With Master Saddle Fitter Cordia Pearson
Cordia Pearson is one of fourteen Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters in the United States. She brings the Society's highest standards to her work with both English and Western saddles. Cordia is a rider and has bred Morgan horses for more than thirty years. She was a trainer and teacher until the demand for her skills as a saddle fitter became too large. "In a marketplace filled with way too many gimmicks and less than stellar products, it is vital that all riders have a working knowledge of saddle fitting. Every moment you spend with your horse is precious and none of it should be wasted struggling with painful or crippling tack. You can find her on the web at Saddlefitter.com.

Mark D Holt, Attorney  

Saturday Morning(approx:11:00) Topic: Do's and Don'ts of Horse Contract Law
Sunday Morning(approx:11:00) Topic: Do's and Don'ts of Horse Contract Law

Topics covered:
Fundamentals of Oral & Written Contracts
Purchase and Sale Agreements - The Basics
Horse Lease Agreements
Boarding Contracts
Estate Planning for your Horse
Question and Answer Time
Door Prizes for Attendees

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