Union Horse Expo
The horse world, all in one place.
The Union Horse Expo brings horses, education, demonstrations, businesses, organizations, shopping, food, activities, and more together in an event designed for everyone.
Whether horses have been part of your life for decades or you’ve never been around one before, you’re welcome here. Come watch, learn, shop, explore, meet the horses, and experience a little more of the equine world.
Now presented by Premier Equine Productions, the equine division of Premier Events & Productions.
Leaves, Lattes & Leather
September 19, 2026 · Cross Creek Arena · Wingate, NC
Leaves, Lattes & Leather brought the Union Horse Expo back for fall with a day filled with horses, demonstrations, education, shopping, food, activities, and community.
The 2026 fall Expo represented a new chapter for the Union Horse Expo, expanding the event’s programming and bringing together equestrians, families, businesses, organizations, and people simply interested in experiencing the horse world.
Guests spent the day exploring vendors and organizations, watching live equine demonstrations, hearing from presenters, enjoying food and drinks, participating in activities, and meeting some pretty incredible horses along the way.
And you didn’t have to know a thing about horses to enjoy it.
In the Arena & Beyond
Leaves, Lattes & Leather brought a wide variety of demonstrations, presentations, and activities to the 2026 Union Horse Expo.
In the Arena & Beyond
Leaves, Lattes & Leather brought a wide variety of demonstrations, presentations, and activities to the 2026 Union Horse Expo.
Opening Prayer & Veterans Recognition
Ground 40
The Expo opened with prayer and recognition of those who have served, led by our nonprofit partner Ground 40.
National Anthem & Presentation of Colors
Chloe Threatt & Lancaster County Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit (MRU)
Chloe Threatt performed the National Anthem while the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit presented the colors to open the Expo.
Drill Team
Lancaster County Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit (MRU)
The Mounted Response Unit returned to the arena for a drill team demonstration showcasing their horses, teamwork, and precision.
Trick Riding & Liberty
Marissa Rathbun | Making Magic Trick Riding
Returning to the Union Horse Expo for her second appearance after joining us in February, Marissa brought trick riding back to the arena for Leaves, Lattes & Leather. Between Expo appearances, she also performed at BreyerFest over the summer.
Guests got an up-close look at the athleticism, horsemanship, and trust behind trick riding.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Riding & Liberty Demonstration
Jacquelyn Dickey & Donner
A deeply meaningful riding demonstration brought suicide prevention awareness into the arena and created space for connection, remembrance, and an important conversation extending far beyond the horse community.
Your Wellness Journey to Health and Mental Health Through Horses
Dr. Valerie Alloy, Ph.D.
A wellness-focused presentation exploring the connection between horses, health, and mental well-being.
Horse Show Judging Basics
Carey Toole
Guests had an opportunity to learn more about what judges look for in the show ring and gain a different perspective on horse-show competition.
The ABCs of Horse Ownership
Dominique Morrison
An approachable introduction to horse ownership designed to make the equine world a little less intimidating for those interested in learning more.
Hooves of Helene
Lisa Ruth | Back Country Horsemen of South Carolina
Lisa shared stories from the trail alongside practical backcountry horsemanship education, including highlining and responsible recreation with horses.
Mounted Shooting
Double L Bar Shooters
The Double L Bar Shooters brought speed, horsemanship, and the sport of mounted shooting to the Expo arena.
Kids’ Arena Activities
Our younger guests got their own turn in the arena with stick-horse activities and plenty of opportunities to join the fun.
More Than Horses
The Union Horse Expo has always been about horses — but it isn’t only for horse people.
Leaves, Lattes & Leather welcomed lifelong equestrians, families, curious newcomers, small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and guests who simply wanted something different to do on a Saturday.
Some came specifically for the demonstrations. Some came to shop. Some came for the food. Some wanted to learn. Some brought their kids to see the horses.
And some discovered a part of the equine world they’d never experienced before.
That’s what we want the Union Horse Expo to be: a place where the horse world feels accessible to everyone.
A Moment That Meant More
One of the most meaningful moments of Leaves, Lattes & Leather came through the Expo’s suicide prevention awareness program.
Jacquelyn Dickey and her horse, Donner, entered the arena for a special riding demonstration centered around suicide prevention awareness, remembrance, and hope.
It was a reminder that an event can create space for more than entertainment.
It can bring people together around something that matters.
Alongside the program, our partnership with Ground 40 helped connect the day with resources, conversation, and a larger mission of supporting people and communities.
It became a part of the 2026 Expo that we won’t soon forget.
With Gratitude
An event like Leaves, Lattes & Leather is built by far more than what happens in the arena.
We’re incredibly grateful to the businesses, organizations, venue, partners, photographers, participants, volunteers, vendors, and guests who helped make the 2026 fall Union Horse Expo possible.
Sponsors & Supporters
Southern States of Monroe
Lebo’s
That Tack Shop
The Belk Mansion
The Stables at Lanes Creek
The Plaid Horse
EquestrianWorld App
Nonprofit & Community Partners
Ground 40
Carolina Equine Rescue and Assistance (CERA)
Union County Saddle Club
Host Venue
Cross Creek Arena
Wingate, North Carolina
Cross Creek Arena served as home to the Union Horse Expo during an important period of growth, and we’re grateful for the space and opportunities that allowed the Expo to continue developing.
Official Event Photographers
Hardway Horses (Rachel Ezzell)
GamblerCowgirl Photography (Isabella Sehen)
Thank you for capturing the horses, people, demonstrations, businesses, and countless little moments that made the day what it was.
And to Everyone Who Showed Up
To our vendors and food vendors, volunteers, attendees, families, equestrians, and first-time visitors:
Thank you.
Whether you came to shop, support a small business, watch a demonstration, learn something new, meet a horse, grab something to eat, bring the family, or simply see what the Union Horse Expo was all about, you helped make Leaves, Lattes & Leather what it was.
Relive Leaves, Lattes & Leather
From the arena to the vendor booths and all the moments in between, take a look back at the 2026 fall Union Horse Expo.
PHOTO GALLERY COMING SOON
From a Tack Sale to the Union Horse Expo
The Union Horse Expo didn’t start as an Expo.
Its roots go back to 2021, when a small, occasional tack sale brought together local equestrians and sellers.
Over the next several years, the event continued to evolve. In 2024, the Union Horse Expo name emerged, giving the growing event an identity of its own.
Through 2025, the Expo continued developing as an equine-focused vendor event, bringing together shopping, food, businesses, organizations, and the local horse community.
Then came 2026.
The Expo expanded its focus with demonstrations, education, activities, presenters, partnerships, and more opportunities for guests to actually experience the equine world — whether they owned a horse or had never touched one.
Today, the Union Horse Expo is entering its next chapter as the flagship event of Premier Equine Productions, the equine division of Premier Events & Productions.
The name behind it may be growing, but the idea at the heart of the Expo remains simple:
Bring people together. Share the horse world. Give everyone a reason to experience it.
The Union Horse Expo Returns
April 2027
Location TBD
A new chapter. And plenty more horses.
The Union Horse Expo returns in spring 2027 with demonstrations, education, vendors, equine businesses and organizations, activities, and opportunities for experienced equestrians and first-time visitors alike to experience the horse world.
More details, programming, vendor opportunities, and announcements are coming soon.
APRIL 2027 · SAVE THE DATE
Want to Be Part of the Next Expo?
Interested in participating as a vendor, equine business, organization, demonstrator, educator, sponsor, partner, or volunteer?
We’d love to hear from you.
