UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers All-star Defensive Back Mel Blount Will Give A Cutting Demonstration From Horseback On Wednesday Afternoon, Aug. 18, At Penn State's Ag Progress Days.

Blount, who will perform at the Ag Progress Day's Equine Experience, owns a ranch in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and uses an equine program there to reach at-risk youth. "Mel will be riding a cutting horse -- that takes a talented horse and an accomplished rider," says Ann Swinker, associate professor of equine science, extension horse specialist and coordinator of the Equine Experience. "He will ride a horse that was bred with cattle sense and bred to work cattle in addition to being well trained."

Visitors to the Ag Progress Day's Equine Experience also will be entertained by unique horse performances and can learn about horse ownership, management and horsemanship throughout Ag Progress Days, Aug. 17-19.

The Equine Experience, conducted by Penn State, 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 is the PQHA 4aHORSE Test Ride. PQHA horses will be available for the public to ride on Wednesday Aug. 18. The program also will feature breed demonstrations, a learning center with educational displays, Penn State Cooperative Extension's educational venue, demonstrations and seminars by horse experts.

4aHORSE is the American Quarter Horse Association's referral service that helps horse enthusiasts find breeders, trainers, riding instructors, horse-riding 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 Rick Shiffler, PQHA's president. "Ag Progress Days gives Penn State a chance to bring together the region's 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, Pennsylvania Equine Council, PQHA and other breed and industry experts," says Swinker, 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, 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, packing, driving 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 Swinker. "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."

On Tuesday, Aug. 20, events will feature Arabians, American quarter horses, thoroughbreds, mules and other breed and discipline clinics, a working sheep dog demonstration, and performances by the Keystone Dressage and Combined Training Drill Team and the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Patrol. Penn State instructors Brian Egan and Chris Grant also will demonstrate handling and training techniques using Penn State's quarter horses. New this year, world-renowned horseman Richard Shrake will give a series of demonstrations and lectures all three days at Penn State's Ag Progress Days. Shrake is well-known for his resistance free training and riding methods and as a world-class instructor, clinician and judge. "Richard will be giving a number of demonstrations and lectures that will appeal to all horse enthusiasts," says Ann Swinker.

A demonstration on Pennsylvania Equine Council's trail riding techniques and proper use of Pennsylvania's public lands will be given all three days.

Highlights on Wednesday, Aug. 18, will include an American quarter horse versatility demonstration, Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Patrol performance, draft horse breed and driving demonstrations -- including a six-horse hitch -- and a horse-handling and training demonstration and breed clinics.

On Thursday, Aug. 19, in addition to the continued horse educational demonstrations, the Penn State/PQHA 4-H Equine Skillathon will start at 10 a.m. The skillathon allows young equestrians to demonstrate their skills in a showmanship and horse-judging competition, a written test and a series of identification stations.

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 Aug. 17; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 18; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 800-PSU-1010 toll-free through August 19 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Ann Swinker at 814-865-7810 or by e-mail at aswinker@psu.edu.

Writer/Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877