| | The Ohio Expo Center in Columbus is home to the All American Quarter Horse Congress, as well as major events like Equine Affaire. But the 2,400 exhibitors at the AQHA Region Four Regional Experience get the chance to show in a world-class facility -- in a laid-back setting. For many, it's their first AQHA show. Others are old pros who relish the opportunity to compete for great prizes -- including Montana Silversmiths buckles for each class winner. Shopping and educational clinics are other not-to-be-missed experiences. On Thursday, AQHA Professional Horsewoman and Team Wrangler member Joni Nelson of Long Grove, Iowa, offered clinics on western riding and horsemanship. And there's more to come ... stay tuned! NEW: Purchase photos from the 2008 Region Four Experience! Visit AQHA's Photo Gallery!  |  | Kelly Gibson of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, bathes Cashs Final Impulse for her mom, Patricia Seifert of Carey, Ohio. Although Kelly and her daughter compete, this was Patricia's first Quarter Horse show -- at age 67. | After their go in novice amateur showmanship, Laurel Dottellis of Bridgeport, West Virginia, briefs her friend Diana Klein of Red House, West Virginia, while Zippo Shy Pete and Speedy the dog listen in. Laurel says the 9-year-old gelding is "my forever horse. He's a sweetheart." |  |  | | Christina DeBrouwer of Blenheim, Ontario, and KCs Cat Fish wait in the alley for their turn in senior working hunter. They won the class. | Sammy Harris of West Chester, Ohio, experienced her first Quarter Horse show with Zip To Open, whom she's only owned six months. She placed second in novice youth working hunter and eighth in novice youth equitation over fences. |  |  | Exhibitors await the results in novice youth showmanship -- a class of 81 entries. | M.J. Fowler of Lebanon, Indiana, was one of more than 50 volunteers from the affiliates included in Region Four -- Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Ontario and Michigan. Here, M.J. measures a jump for the hunter hack classes. |  |  | | Lynn Hatfield of Hastings, Michigan, rides Finest Rendition in a horsemanship clinic with AQHA Professional Horsewoman Joni Nelson. | Joni Nelson advises horsemanship competitors to keep their rein hand within 2 inches of the saddle horn, with the fingers closed but soft. The arm should be held in an L shape, with the free hand also in an L, just below the rein hand. |  |  | | Monte Lehman helps set the hat on his granddaughter, Kenedie Morr of Monclova, Ohio, just before the small-fry horsemanship class. Kenedie rode Slo Talkin Bartender. | Ten-year-old Lauren Hull of Canfield, Ohio, was named regional champion in small-fry horsemanship. She has been showing for three or four years, she says, and she has owned RL Fancy Boy, or Reggie, for two years. |  |  | | Donald Vankirk of Granville, Ohio, showed Rcees Version to a second-place finish in select amateur walk trot. His daughter Stacey Vankirk of Thornville, Ohio, hopped in the saddle next, riding the horse to the regional championship in all-ages amateur walk trot. Donald, 68, says he's been hauling Stacey to horse shows since she was in 4-H. | Tammy Plants celebrates after winning the select amateur walk trot class aboard Willshebe Dependable. The answer to that question-in-a-name is apparently yes, since the same horse took Tammy to a fourth-place finish in all-ages amateur walk trot. |
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