The Bluebonnet Horse Expo is a fundraiser for the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. Proceeds of the Expo provide care to the horses helped by BEHS. At this time, clinicians donate their time and travel expenses in order to help the rescue help even more horses, but we will give you advertising on our Expo site, Facebook pages, and in the digital Expo program. If you are interested in applying to become an Expo clinician, please email us at expoclinics@bluebonnetequine.org.
Michael Battenfield is returning to the 2024 Expo. Michael has been involved with the Expo for almost 10 years. He started out at the Expo competing in the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge with Hickory, who he adopted. Since then, he’s trained horses for both Bluebonnet and Bluebonnet adopters and offers clinics and demonstrations at the Expo annually.
Trainer Michael Battenfield is a certified Natural Horsemanship trainer, certified through England’s Versatile Horsemanship. Michael firmly believes that first impressions are everything and does his very best to ensure that every horse he starts gets just that. He also specializes in restarting problem horses, biters, kickers, buckers, runaways, you name it. He uses techniques that speak the horses language, bridging the language barrier between horse and man. Michael also works with the horses owner teaching him or her the language of the horse ensuring a lasting partnership. Michael trains a variety of horses at Battenfield Horsemanship in Gorman, Texas. Don’t miss Michael’s clinics at the Expo – “Establishing Trust with a New Partner”.
To learn more about Michael:
Battenfield Horsemanship | Gorman, TX
Battenfield Horsemanship | Facebook
Jodi is an All Around Horse Trainer from Granger, Texas. She is the owner of Brassard Equine Services, LLC. and has been professionally training, showing, and giving lessons for over 20 years. She credits her mother for introducing her to horses at a young age, and has been riding ever since.
Jodi’s motto is Making Horse And Rider A Team, and has worked with students of all ages and disciplines. For both training and lessons, Jodi always emphasizes safety, explaining “safety is the first, middle, and last thing you do”. On the training side she likes her horses to feel fluid and confident. This ensures the necessary foundation for a great companion.
In 2016, Jodi was looking to add to the relationship and well being of her equine companions when she found Traditional Chinese Medicine. Adding Acupressure to her training program was very exciting, and was the answer to “Getting and keeping your horse sound”, as Jodi says. Continuing to expand Brassard Equine, Jodi became an Associate Instructor with Elemental Acupressure, added business partners Espana Silk, an all natural grooming product line, and TOML USA, which is CBD products for horses.
Jodi loves trail riding and working cattle with her rescue horse, Keeva, (although Jodi will say it was KEEVA who adopted HER). Jodi and Keeva regularly travel to present clinics in training, riding, acupressure, and bodywork. They are often accompanied by her energetic dogs, Luna and Cooper.
Jodi will be presenting the flag at the opening ceremony!
Jodi Boman Brassard | Facebook
Jodi Brassard (@brassardequineacupressure) | Instagram
Brassard Equine Acupressure | Austin, TX
Lindsay Burer is an Equine Nutrition Consultant for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. Although she grew up a city girl from Tampa, Florida, the equine addiction started at a young age. She completed her undergrad at the University of Florida in 2011, and in 2014, left her family’s business and moved to Texas to start a career in equine nutrition. Lindsay is passionate about helping horses through educating their owners and is fascinated with the role diet plays in health and disease. Lindsay has a Masters degree in Functional Nutrition and incorporates her knowledge into farm and barn nutrition programs. She currently lives in New Braunfels, TX with her other half, Randal, Atticus (cat), and Hazel (dog). She loves to spend her free time on the river, in the mountains, reading, traveling, and of course, with her horses Easy, Jolie, and Odette.
Kaylon Sullins Robinson is a horse trainer and riding coach in Victoria, Texas. She spent most of her childhood training horses with her mother, Cathy Sullins. In 2007 Kaylon started KnP Training and Lessons to help everyday horse owners achieve their horsemanship goals and open their own gate to endless possibilities. Specializing in western performance, competitive trail, and all around horsemanship, she offers a straight forward approach to training while putting the horse’s physical and mental well being first.
Cathy Sullins is a lifelong horsewoman with over 50 years training experience. She works closely with Kaylon and KnP Training and Lessons and teaches clinics throughout the year. Cathy is an avid rider and enjoys trail riding with friends and family. She is a competitive trail Judge for Texas Trail Challenge Club, where she also competes and has achieved grand champion Horseman.
KnP Training and Lessons is a proud sponsor and volunteer of BEHS since 2008! You may also recognize them as the proud hosts of the Annual Lauren Kay Sutton Memorial Stick Horse Show. Before the StickHorse show kicks off, you’ll find Kaylon and Cathy on the Education stage with their “Bits and Bitting” demonstration.
Bits and Bitting- Do you know what you are putting in your horse’s mouth? This interactive demonstration discusses snaffles, curbs, and everything in between and how they work in the horse’s mouth, and what you should consider before bridling up.
KnP Training and Lessons | Victoria, TX
KnP Training and Lessons | Facebook
Julie Battenfield returns to the 2024 Expo with her Essential Oils class, always a crowd favorite! Julie is married and has 2 sons, 2 beautiful daughters in law, and 10 grandchildren.
“I have been using essential oils for over 12 years and I love giving classes and teaching others how to use essential oils on their families and animals.” – Julie
Dr. Lauren Baker and is a human chiropractor with 18 years of experience, specializing in babies and expectant mothers. Dr. Baker was raised with horses since birth; she had her first rides still in the womb. In 2018, she decided to become a certified chiropractor for animals. She primarily adjusts horses, cows, and dogs, but she will also adjust goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, and chickens. She loves helping all animals have their best potential to heal and is excited to support BEHS this year.
Catch Dr. Baker’s demonstration on Equine Chiropractic – what it is and when you need it for your horse. She will show the proper and safe handling of a horse receiving a chiropractic adjustment, and she will discuss the requirements and laws regarding the Equine Chiropractic profession.
Dr. Baker graduated from Texas Chiropractic college in 2005 with bachelors in Biology and Doctorate in Chiropractic. She attended Parker Chiropractic Animal Program March 2018-August 2018. She travels as far west as Elgin and east to Beaumont, north to Troup, and south to Galveston
Dr Natalie Lord is an equine and Mixed animal vet in Marble Falls Texas. She grew up riding horses in Texas and Spain. She has extensive experience working in equine surgery and medicine from before college, where she went to Southwestern University and received her Bachelors Degree in biology, and then went on to receive her Doctorate of Vet Medicine from Ross University in 2017.
Dr Lord has an interest in large animal medicine, acupuncture, emergency medicine and ambulatory medicine as well as small animal medicine and surgery. But her passion is caring for horses. She is an active member in AAEP, Endurance horse vetting through AERC, TERA and a member Bluebonnet Humane Society.
She competed in the Expo’s Challenge with Colby two years ago, and adopted him and has been showing him alongside her other horse.
Colby came to Bluebonnet as a rehab rescue when a sweet couple of good Samaritans pulled him from a field where he was starved. They needed help from the Rescue for resources for vetting, farrier work and refeeding and Dr Lord was on the list for intake! Colby was rehabbed to healthy weight and lameness issues tended too with great dedication and time (and yes, money! $$$).
The stars were aligned for Colby and Bluebonnet and Dr Lord to meet and help one another. Colby has come from rail thin, to being a fat and sassy thoroughbred. We were able to find his race history from his tattoo and pictures. He is even on Youtube in an old auction sale video! Dr Lord has worked slowly with Colbys arena and riding anxieties, and dressage and good horsemanship has helped him be a reliable mount for her, as well as fun to ride!
Dr Lord will be using Colby for demos on Bandaging limbs, and Riding Exercises to Keep your Horse Sound and Fit in the Main Arena. Dr Lord will also give a lecture on Equine Emergencies on the Education Stage. Colby will also be used for a demo on chiropractic adjustments in horses.
Hope Animal Clinic, Medical Director
AERC Control Judge and Treatment Veterinarian
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncture
PALS (Prevent A Litter) and Pet PALS Partner
m: 512.521.1311
Hope Animal Clinic | Marble Falls, TX
Hope Animal Clinic | Instagram
Jimmy Brown has been riding and training horses most of his life; he now
enjoys sharing his knowledge through clinics and riding lessons. His
specialty is gaited horses for his personal horses and riding. But his
training techniques apply across all breeds and riding disciplines.
Jimmy prefers to work with the person and the horse together, and
develops a long term relationship with his clients to result in a horse
and rider partnership that can excel at any discipline. Jimmy can
quickly assess how a rider is affecting the horse and what changes need
to be made to help the rider’s communication with the horse. Jimmy will
be demonstrating proper cueing for better communication with Bluebonnet horse, Sully.
Aaron trains champion cutting horses, while helping riders, in all
disciplines, achieve their dreams with their horses. His program allows
students to learn true finesse with their horses. He is an innovator in
the equine industry with his ability to apply a natural approach in
training theory and technique to produce proven results, whether just in
your backyard or to the highest levels of competition. Today, Aaron is
putting his dream into practice to promote his natural philosophy of
training, hoof care, and feeding. While training and showing quality
Cutting Horses in competition, Aaron also conducts numerous clinics and
workshops each year throughout the United States; Versatile
Horsemanship, Colt Starting, Educational Trail Rides, and Cow Working to
name a few.
Catherine Campbell – Catherine is an Austin native with a lifelong passion for horses. With a diverse background ranging from various English and Western disciplines Catherine’s riding and training journey has taken her from barn rat to barn owner. Catherine has a long history with helping rescue horses find confidence, trust and health. Her passion projects include creating a safe space for the healing of horses and riders Catherine operates Cedar Creek Saddle Club.. She is excited to share with the EXPO attendees Mounted Archery and Skills at Arms with the Cedar Creek Centaurs and The Texas Khanate. All the horses the demonstration are rescues with varying journeys and histories.
Barbara Tippett, owner of Ride Away Horse Training, and current International Liberty Horse Association Virtual Reserve Freestyle Champion, is a life long horse lover. Growing up in Germany with and around horses, they’ve always been a huge part in her life.
2014 Barbara started her own business, training horses for clients. In 2020 she started to study, practice and compete at liberty with the International Liberty Horse Association.
Liberty is an advanced form of communicating with your horse through body language and cues, without any tack, while allowing your horse to have an opinion. It’s about connection and trust. Liberty is the state of being free, it’s playing with your horse, and creating a dance!
“Once all tack has been removed from a horse, you only got one thing left, the truth! There’s nothing more beautiful, and rewarding than to become one with a thousand pound animal!” Don’t miss Barbara’s Liberty demonstration on the Warm Up Arena stage!
Lorre Mueller is a registered Equine Osteopath EDO®, graduating from the Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy in September 2014. Lorre practices equine osteopathy in the greater Austin, TX area but travels extensively throughout Texas and across the US, working in Oregon, California, New Hampshire, and Florida. Lorre is a certified Masterson Method® Practitioner since 2010. Lorre was an instructor, mentor, and coach for the Masterson organization for several years. She has also trained in myofascial release, craniosacral therapy and Graston Technique. Lorre teaches anatomy courses and 3 day whole horse dissections through Trinity Equine Services. Her courses are approved by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAMM). Lorre is registered with the International Register for Equine Osteopathy (IREO) and a member of the Worldwide Alliance of Equine Osteopaths (WAEO) as well as a member of American Association of Equine Therapists and Technicians (AAETT).
“Help Your Horse Find Balance in its Body”
“An unbalanced horse is a nervous horse, and a nervous horse is an unbalanced horse.” (Tom Dorrance) What do we mean by “balance”? What can owners do to help their horse? Lorre and Kelly will give you practices to help you build trust with and expand the bond with your horse, setting you up for success!
Trinity Equine Services, LLC
https://trinityequineservices.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057385631967
Kelly Jefferson is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, Instructor and Coach. She has also trained in CranioSacral therapy and Graston Technique. Based on what horses have been presenting to her, she has begun studying and addressing equine posture, dysfunctional movement and rehabilitation. Kelly is located in Georgetown, Texas and travels within one hour for clients. Kelly has been involved with horses since a young age in 4H and most recently riding dressage.
“Help Your Horse Find Balance in its Body”
“An unbalanced horse is a nervous horse, and a nervous horse is an unbalanced horse.” (Tom Dorrance) What do we mean by “balance”? What can owners do to help their horse? Lorre and Kelly will give you practices to help you build trust with and expand the bond with your horse, setting you up for success!
Kelly’s Equine Services
https://www.facebook.com/kellysequineservices
Since 2011, Joe has been starting horses with softness and patience, evaluating and addressing equine behavior challenges, trimming horse and donkey hooves, teaching Horsemanship classes, and running a Horsemanship Clinic series around central Texas. Joe will be giving a lecture on the Education Stage – The Importance of Basic Skills for Every Horse Owner. Joe will touch on the key basic skills every horse needs to know to stay healthy and sound – Joe’s broad and deep experience in all thing equine makes him well-qualified to present on ground skills and handling topics that will help new foster homes, adopters and owners to be ready to handle their horses in different situations.
Jim is a Retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer, Automotive Maintenance Tech. Jim grew up in rural Pennsylvania and started working on a farm when he was 12 to earn money for school clothes. It was a dairy farm – there were no horses. But there were tractors and hay wagons and a wide assortment of farm equipment that always needed maintenance. He worked on the same farm until he joined the military at 18. Join the Army and see the world! The Military took him to far flung places like Turkey, Korea, Germany and Belgium. Stateside he was stationed from Washington State to Louisiana and Maryland to Arizona.
Abi YoYo was Jim’s first horse, a starved weanling that he traded a ton of hay for. Jim did all the ground work – wasn’t called that back in 1986 – and ran for miles behind Abi long lining him. Jim’s 2nd horse is a 14yr old thoroughbred gelding, Buddy. Jim again did basic groundwork and then sent Buddy to spend some time with Greg Dial and attended regular weekend clinics with Kerri April for several years. Jim and Kim tried tent camping for one TTCC ride, in November, and Kim said never again! So they purchased their 1st LQ. Then began the journey to learn how to keep it on the road, in good working order and safely hauling horses.
As an avid member of Texas Trail Challenge, NATRC and TETRA, Jim and Kim have hauled horses thousands of miles. When not on trail, you will often find Jim in camp helping fellow riders with their generators, flat tires or any other trailer maintenance.
Don’t miss Jim’s lecture on the Education stage where he will provide important maintenance tips for horse trailers, tires and tow vehicles to keep you and your horses safe on the road.