Silver Buckle finds funding source in horse expo

Nonprofit youth equestrian program takes the reins from Canadian organization

BY MEGAN PATRICK-VAUGHN of the VBJ

When Washington’s smoking ban went into effect two years ago, it snuffed out the Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center’s main funding source, Rodeo Bingo.

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Since then, the nonprofit at-risk youth program’s board of directors cut the budget, sold some of the ranch’s land, and has searched for a proper fundraiser to ensure its work could continue.

It seems to have found one.

February 8-10, the center will host the Hands on Horses Expo at the Clark County Fairgrounds. For the last couple of years, the Mane Event out of Canada hosted the expo under its name, but wasn’t seeing the returns needed to continue, said Julie Olson, the board’s head of strategic planning.

The group offered to let the Silver Buckle take it over as a fundraiser.

“We’ve been looking, and this came along and it’s such a perfect fit for us,” Olson said. “It combines horsemanship and education – what a switch from bingo.”

The expo is designed for horse enthusiasts of all skill levels and will feature several top national horse trainers, including equine communication expert Julie Goodnight, trail riding expert Steve Rother and Bill Campbell, practitioner of “Common Sense Horsemanship.”

Horses will be on-site at The Horse University for guests to touch, halter and groom, and presenters will offer seminars on horse economics, ownership, riding programs and boarding. Washington State University also will present several topics, including mud management.

Megan Patrick can be reached at mpatrick@vbjusa.com.

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