I am a total noob about horse related expos and farm shows etc. I see that there is an expo in Harrisburg pa in March and I am thinking about treating my granddaughter to this event. I am sure we will be overwhelmed with desires to purchase all kinds of stuff..... I am curious to know if people from the area enjoy and support this expo and if you enjoy going to some of the seminars. I also wonder if we should plan to attend for two days if there is a lot to see or if you find it crowded and uncomfortable and just decide to get the heck out of there!! I suspect that I would enjoy some of the seminars but think granddaughter will not be thrilled to be in a 'classroom' type atmosphere.... Sher is more hands on type learner. Any experiences or ideas and feedback is welcome...TIA for your help!I know some people who still enjoy going, but I haven’t really gone for several years unless I can score free passes. It’s $22 for one person just to park and get in. Cheaper if you come in a car with others, but still.
The shopping, IMO, isn’t what it used to be. Lots of cheapy junk vendors and a number of unrelated businesses (things like bathroom remodels and cell phone accessories). There are usually a few booths I feel are worth it, but those are mostly the bigger companies or tack stores I can order online from anyway. The shopping also has seemed to skew more Western oriented over the years so may be better if you’re into a Western discipline. There is not enough shopping to support going more than one day. In fact it takes only an hour or two to go through that room unless you stop to look at every little thing.
Seminars are good depending on who they get to come in. The only reason I can see for wanting to come multiple days would be if there are different clinicians you want to see. Your granddaughter may prefer the ones in the round pen or arenas where they work with actual horses over some of the more class type sessions. Some of the other arena things like Parade of Breeds or the trail challenge are fun to watch.
Probably worth going for one day to see whether you like it. If you don’t have the perspective of someone who went for many years in the beginning, maybe you will enjoy it more. They also cancelled the Maryland expo this year so it may be better if they drew in some of the vendors and clinicians who used to come to that one.
1 Like
Thank you! This is exactly the kind of info I wanted. I get what you are saying about being able to order things online but had hoped to find on site vendors for sizing. I didn’t see Bit o Britain as a vendor and I didn’t see any footwear vendors listed like Ariat or Tredstep etc… However, we once went to an RV show and found VERY deep discounts at the ending hours of the show… I was wondering if something like those discounts might happen at this expo…We need everything …she is hard on breeches. Socks. Tops. Bras…needs tall boots paddock boots halfchaps could use helmet etc… But yay!!! Tax refund is imminent! Again…I know we will like the whole atmosphere and may go to the theater equus in the evening…thanks for all
Bit of Britain hasn’t been there for years. There are usually some places that have Ariat but not a specific Ariat booth.
I attended for years as a vendor, and have never seen any deep discount. I would agree with furlong that it is not what used to be. There is a lot of junk tack for sale. There are some great talks and demonstrations, but I certainly wouldn’t expect to spend more than a day there.
I work it every year, with horseloverz and circle l.
We definitely bring the deals- especially clothing. Our tack and clothing trends english, but we have western and trail sharing the booth with us on the circle l side. We also usually have fly gear, half price halters and leads, etc. Halters usually start at like 6.00, leads at like 4.00.
I also have a volunteer program where I take customer volunteers to help us set up and tear down in exchange for store credit.
I attend the show at night, and enjoy it, but the Equine affaire fantasia is better.
I rarely get to listen to the clinics, since I am at work, but sometimes I sneak a break.
I do a lot of these shows, and I would call HWE midsized. It’s likely to be bigger this year since the management cancelled HWE MD in Jan with very little notice, so the crowd and the vendors hopefully get shifted to Harrisburg. If you do come, feel free to say hi, if you yell “kristy” anywhere in the booth you’ll find me 
Thank you for the info! I may see you there!
