UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Visitors will be entertained by unique horse performances and will learn about horse ownership, management and horsemanship at the Equine Experience at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 20-22.

The Equine Experience, conducted by Penn State, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association (PQHA) and other breed and industry groups, will offer horse enthusiasts new activities plus several popular attractions from past years.

A highlight of this year's program is the AQHA 4aHORSE Test Ride. The program also will feature breed demonstrations, a learning center with educational displays, AQHA's educational venue, demonstrations and seminars by horse experts. In cooperation with AQHA and PQHA, horses will be available for the public to ride throughout all three days of Ag Progress Days.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone who has always wanted to ride a horse, those thinking about becoming horse owners or current horse owners who want to improve their horsemanship knowledge and skills," says Pat Comerford, Penn State Cooperative Extension horse specialist.

4aHORSE is AQHA's referral service that helps horse enthusiasts find breeders, trainers, riding instructors, horse vacations and health and maintenance care for horses.

"We're delighted to give horse enthusiasts in the Pennsylvania area a chance to ride American quarter horses," said Bill Brewer, AQHA's executive vice president. "Ag Progress Days gives AQHA a chance to bring together the region's top horse experts in a single place."

"The Equine Experience is a great place to visit with horse business and organization representatives, attend seminars in the learning center and obtain educational information from Penn State, AQHA and other breed and industry experts," says Comerford, who urges everyone to come out and give an American quarter horse a test ride and learn more about horses.

Program topics will include nutrition, management, equine dentistry, preventative veterinary care, selection of the proper horse, horse behavior, handling and training, breed clinics and much more. Visitors also may participate in a variety of activities including riding, roping and horse judging.

"The Equine Experience will be of interest to all horse enthusiasts, from potential or new owners and novice riders to experienced horse owners or professionals," says Ann Swinker, associate professor of equine science and extension horse specialist. "This event will showcase Pennsylvania's equine industry and the Penn State Equine Science Program. It is also a safe and exciting way to introduce the public to horses and horse-related activities."

Tuesday, Aug. 20 events will feature Friesian, Haflinger, Icelandic and other breed clinics, a working sheep dog demonstration, and performances by the Keystone Dressage and Combined Training Drill Team and the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Patrol. Expert horse trainers also will demonstrate handling and training techniques.

Highlights on Wednesday, Aug. 21 will include an American quarter horse versatility demonstration, Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Patrol performance and draft horse breed and driving demonstrations, including a six-horse hitch. "We are really proud of the selection of draft and light horses we have gathered together for this year's program. Bringing many breeds together in one place -- from Percherons and Belgians to Icelandic and miniature horses -- is an event that shouldn't be missed," says Brian Egan, equine extension associate at Penn State.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, the Penn State/Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association 4-H Equine Skillathon will start at 10 a.m. The skillathon is a multi-phase competition that allows young equestrians to demonstrate their skills in a showmanship and horse-judging competition, a written test and a series of identification stations. Other activities on Thursday include a horse- handling and training demonstration and breed clinics, featuring Appaloosas and Friesians.

For more information about the Equine Experience, visit the Penn State Equine Science web site at http://www.das.psu.edu (click on horses), or contact the Penn State Equine Science Team at 814-863-7639.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free through August 22 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Pat Comerford at ( 814) 863-3657 or e-mail pcomerford@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #210