COVER STORY
PAID ADVERTISEMENTTISEMENT
Celebrating Equine Community in The Last Frontier
by Catherine Madera T
he state of Alaska is easily described in superlatives: It is the largest state in the nation — twice the size of Texas, contains the highest mountain peak (Mt. McKinley), and has the largest
national forest (Tongass), and that’s just for starters. Though the state boasts spectacular natural wonders, it also has the lowest population density in the nation. Those who call Alaska home — and love it — are a tough, independent, and passionate group. This extends to everything, including equestrian lifestyle. In The Last Frontier, horse ownership is not an undertaking for
the faint of heart. With only around 700,000 people statewide, it is hard to say how many horses call Alaska home, but rugged terrain, extreme weather, and remote location make their care a hardship. This hardship is, nonetheless, embraced by Alaskan horsemen and women and breeds an uncommon level of dedication and spirit.
PHOTO: SHIRLEY COX
Trimble grew up on horseback, fondly remembering pack trips into the wilderness beginning at the age of fi ve and summers attending horse camp at Kenai Peninsula Fair, one of the few equine events she enjoyed yearly in a state where horses are sometimes ferried to shows and competitions. “Due to the hardship
ABOVE: A young Allison Trimble at Devil’s Pass in Alaska’s Chugach National Forest
and cost, horse owners are probably more committed, as a whole, than those in the lower 48 states,” says Trimble. “We had no arena to practice in; we had to navi- gate a cliff just to get to the beach to practice barrels!”
After getting an animal science degree from Cal Poly and growing
her training business in the Pacifi c Northwest, Trimble found her thoughts returning to her home state as well as a growing desire to give back to the equine community where she got her start. “I have always been passionate about fi guring out a way to bring more horsemanship and education back to Alaska.” From June 22-24 Trimble will join an impressive group of equine
Northwest cow horse trainer and Alaska native, Allison Trimble,
knows fi rsthand both the splendor and diffi culties of growing up a “horse girl” in the Land of the Midnight Sun. “It’s not an area that draws many equine professionals. It’s
especially challenging to make a living so getting instruction or education is very diffi cult,” says Trimble. “Most Alaskan horsemen are pretty much self-taught.”
6 June 2012 The Northwest Horse Source
professionals dedicated to doing just that for the state’s fi rst horse expo, to be held on the Kenai Peninsula. For three days the expo will provide a learning opportunity for a special group of equestrians as well as celebrate a unique lifestyle in a place like no other. The Great Alaska Horse Expo will feature clinicians Allison
Trimble, Kade Mills, Raye Lochert, Kimberly Barber, Barry Cox, and Mark Plumlee from Mission Farrier School for farrier science and
www.nwhorsesource.com
PHOTO: SABRIETA HOLLAND
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ALLISON TRIMBLE
PHOTO: SABRIETA HOLLAND
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