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Gaited horse expert “stars” at the Midwest Horse Fair®

Since 1980, Larry Whitesell has been known as a renowned gaited horseman, with success in the show ring -- winning regional, national and grand national championships. In 2002 he was trainer of the year. He has held judges cards in several gaited breeds. This celebrity in the gaited horse world will be one of the “stars” to attend the Midwest Horse Fair® on April 15-17, 2011. With a theme of “StarGrazing,” the 2011 Midwest Horse Fair® will be rolling out the red carpet for many of the top names in the horse industry. This annual equine expo is one of the nation’s top equestrian events and will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

Initially, Whitesell trained using the traditional gaited horse methods, thinking these were the only way to yield gait. As his training progressed, he wanted to train gaited horses to a higher level so they would gait for any level rider and the riders could count on them to be safe and dependable. In his quest to learn correctness and lightness, Whitesell began studying classical dressage in the early 1990s from contemporary masters who had studied under Nuno Olivera and at classical schools in Europe. He continues his education each year from classical dressage instructors in both training and riding.

Whitesell travels the U.S. and Canada doing clinics and equine expositions. His goals are to help people understand what makes gaited horses gait so they can spare the horses from some of the training myths attached to the gaited world that are not in the best interest of the horse.

This trainer teaches riders how to help their horse to relax so they can teach a correct response to subtle cues. His clinics are a shot in the arm for any riding program, providing very intense instruction to all levels of riders that instills an eagerness they will carry with them to help further a riders relationship with their horse at home.

Started in 1979, the Midwest Horse Fair® has been continuously growing, with a strong focus on education and high-quality entertainment for individual horse owners, families, and those who just love horses. Over 500 exhibitors offer unique shopping and educational opportunities. Demonstrations and ongoing entertainment, along with hundreds of clinics, seminars, and events throughout the weekend offers something for everyone.

The Midwest Horse Fair® is owned by the Wisconsin State Horse Council, Inc. All proceeds from the Fair are returned to the WSHC and are used to represent and foster a unified equine industry in Wisconsin, promote the equine through leadership, education, service and communication, and to take a proactive role in the future growth and development of the equine industry.

For additional information, visit www.midwesthorsefair.com or contact the Midwest Horse Fair® by phone at (920) 623-5515 or e-mail press@midwesthorsefair.com.

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