No horsing around when this group is on the road
Early Wednesday morning, Oregon horse trainers Doug and Kathy Vouchell will be nosing their two-ton International truck down their long driveway, heading toward Spokane for the Ride the West Horse and Trade Expo.
Behind them, they will be towing their 1998 46-foot Grand Sierra Sundowner living-quarter horse trailer.
“We’re kind of a baby big rig,” says Doug Vouchell. “When we pull into rest stops, we’re only a couple feet short of a semi.”
The Vouchells are carrying precious cargo in their three-stall slant-load trailer—Skippy, a quarter horse; Mary, an Arabian; and Dakota, a paint quarter horse.
“Our Sundowner is so solid that we don’t feel our horses moving around back there,” says Kathy Vouchell. “They are always fresh when we arrive at our destination.”
Once the horses are unloaded and settled into the Spokane fairground stables, the Vouchells won’t be far away.
“It used to drive us crazy staying in a hotel ten miles from the expo,” says Doug Vouchell. “We’d worry about our horses all night. Now with our living quarter trailer we will be within 50 feet of the horses.”
The Vouchells, both John and Josh Lyons Certified Trainers, will be conducting clinics and hosting the XTreme Trail Challenge all three days of the expo.
“We enjoy helping others create and develop a better relationship with their horses,” says Doug Vouchell.
However, leading a number of different clinics, plus having a vendor booth in the trade show, can add up to very long days.
The Vouchells find they cherish being able to retreat to their nearby “home away from home” for a quiet moment.
Their comfortable Sundowner includes a 6-foot mudroom, bathroom with a full shower, 15-foot living space with a 12-foot slideout and an 8-foot sleeping area. The bedroom space is nestled over the gooseneck hitch that fits into the bed of their truck for hauling.
“The closet in the mudroom is larger than the one we have at home,” laughs Kathy Vouchell.
The fully equipped kitchen is also a major convenience.
“I can whip up some stir-fry or other quick healthy meal instead of eating greasy fast food that leaves us sluggish,” says Kathy Vouchell.
“I would recommend a living-quarter trailer to any serious horse owner,” she says, “no matter if it is for business or pleasure, a living-quarter trailer is the way to go.”
Information
The annual Ride the West Horse and Trade Expo features three days of magnificent horses, clinics and demonstrations by nationally known trainers, and more than 100 vendors with just about everything a rider needs to enhance “your horse’s lifestyle,” says event manager Susan Rae.
“There will be four Inland Northwest horse trailer dealers at the expo. Look for impressive living quarter models from Huber Towne and Country Trailers of Spokane Valley, Horse Trailers Northwest of Post Falls, Cobalt Trailers of Spokane Valley and the Big R Store in Mead.
“If you miss the Vouchells at the expo, contact them through their Web site at www.oregonhorsetrainers.com or at (541) 729-6280.
“For a look at the variety of Sundowner living-quarter trailers go online to www.sundownertrailercenters.com or call toll free (888) 476-9199.
RV parking at Expo
The Spokane County Fair & Expo Center has more than 100 RV spaces available, 43 include water and electricity.
Spaces are $8 a day for dry camping, $19 for electricity only, $26 for water and electricity. The campgrounds are within easy walking distance of stables and all event facilities. There are restrooms, showers and a no-fee dump station nearby.
Reservations are encouraged, call (509) 477-1766, press zero. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Camping is on a first-come basis the weekend of the event.
RV maintenance class
It’s time again for the RV Care and Maintenance class being offered through the Spokane Community Colleges’ Institute for Extended Learning.
Taught by local RV technician John Morrill, it meets one time only for three hours at the CenterPlace at Mirabeau, 2426 N. Discovery Pl., in Spokane Valley.
The class gives valuable information on how RVs work.
It is on Wednesday (course number L142) and begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $23.
Class includes handouts. Advance registration is required. Call (509) 279-6000 to register by phone.