UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Organizers of the Equine Experience at Penn State’s 2025 Ag Progress Days, Aug. 12-14, again are poised to offer crowd-favorite demonstrations for everyone from casual spectators to avid horse enthusiasts.
Located at the top of Main Street at the Ag Progress Days site, the Equine Arena and Equine Exhibits Building will showcase the variety and versatility of the equine world.
“For those interested in horses, make sure to check out the equine demonstrations at Ag Progress Days,” said Danielle Smarsh, equine extension specialist and associate professor of equine science in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “There will be multiple demonstrations every day, as well as educational displays inside the Equine Building.”
New this year, USA Working Equitation will be on-site Aug. 13 for two demonstrations. Representatives from the organization also will have a booth in the Equine Exhibits Building.
Stephanie Dobiss is a riding instructor and affiliate organization chair at USA Working Equitation. She describes working equitation as a four-phase sport that combines elements of classical dressage, obstacle negotiation, speed and cattle work.
During Ag Progress Days, spectators will get to see the “Ease of Handling” course. A narrator will describe the obstacles and what the judge is looking for while four horses and riders demonstrate the course.
“In the United States, this uniquely inclusive sport welcomes all riding levels, any breed, and any discipline or riding style,” Dobiss said. “The goal is to bring awareness to the area and grow the sport. It’s a unique and fun discipline that develops camaraderie and friendships, all while focusing on the welfare of the horse. Working equitation captures the hearts of nearly everyone who pursues it.”
The full schedule of Equine Experience events is available online. Highlights include:
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Spring Mount Percherons, owned and shown by David and Linda Hershey, of Warriors Mark, will be on-site all three days to host the popular six-horse hitch demonstrations.
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Bear Hill Logging demonstrations are an interactive way to learn more about horse logging and restorative forestry. Bear Hill specializes in low-impact timber management, selective harvests and wetlands logging.
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The Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association Youth Ambassadors will show off their miniature horses.
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Rick Shaffer of R&S Paso Fino, of Somerset, will return for two breed clinics and riding demonstrations.
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Visitors can learn the basics of handling and training young horses in demonstrations with American Quarter Horses from the Penn State Horse Barn.
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The Keystone Dressage and Combined Drill Team will return to Ag Progress Days to put their horses through their paces.
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Gail Eichelberger, current president of the Pennsylvania Equine Council, and her husband, Richard Eichelberger, will speak about ways to “Be A Confident Rider.”
Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, located 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 13; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. The official hashtag for social media is #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook.