Emily and Sarah Harris of Sisters Horsing Around held a Drafts Horses Can Do It Too! session on Friday with their Gypsy Vanner, Genesis. Photo by Chelsey Burris.
USDF was proud to be a partner of EQUITANA USA, which was held in our own backyard at the Kentucky Horse Park, just a stone’s throw from the USDF National Education Center and Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, on October 1-3, 2021.
As the mother of all horse fairs and the world’s largest meeting place for equestrian sports, EQUITANA has been setting standards since 1972, in Europe. Like its European counterpart, EQUITANA USA had something for all horse-lovers, from informative educational events and fabulous demonstrations, to TONS of great shopping!
Here are some sights from the memorable event, captured by USDF staff.
USDF was proud to be a partner of EQUITANA USA. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Lindsey Partridge, founder of Harmony Horsemanship, hosted the “Creating a ‘Yes’ Horse session on Friday. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Participants prepare for the “Creating a ‘Yes’ Horse” session. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Lynn Palm prepares to lead her session “Do You Want to be the Rider Your Horse Deserves?” Photo by Chelsey Burris. *Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Photo by Chelsey Burris. *Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Lots of riders answered yes to the question “Do You Want to be the Rider Your Horse Deserves?” and were attentive during the session. Photo by Chelsey Burris. *Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Come for the demonstrations, stay for the shopping! EQUITANA USA had a huge trade fair, filled with awesome products for all types of horse enthusiasts. Photo by Chelsey Burris.All different types of horses & riders were given their time in the spotlight at EQUITANA USA. Photo by Chelsey Burris. *Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Photo by Chelsey Burris.There were many educational opportunities for participants on the Shadowfax Mane Stage, including this one called “Educational Opportunities in Thoroughbred Racing.” Photo by Chelsey Burris.EQUITANA USA gave attendees the chance to see all different types of horses, like this gorgeous Arabian, during Breed Demonstrations. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Photo by Chelsey Burris.Sisters Emily and Sarah Harris lead the session “Draft Horses Can Do It Too!” with their Gypsy Vanner, Genesis. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Photo by Chelsey Burris.Photo by Chelsey Burris.Genesis gets some love during the “Draft Horses Can Do It Too!” demonstration. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Photo by Amber Wiseman.Ronny Riemer leading the Jumpers Clinic at the Rolex Stadium. Photo by Chelsey Burris.And the cuteness award goes to… this pair of adorable mini horses, dressed as horseracing superstars War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Photo by Chelsey Burris.War Admiral made an appearance to represent the Secretariat Center. Photo by Chelsey Burris.The mounted police keeping everyone safe at the event. Photo by Chelsey Burris.A chance to reunite with old friends – USDF Senior Marketing Coordinator Chelsey Burris (right) meets up with a friend from out of state at the event. Photo courtesy of Chelsey Burris.Equine enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed EQUITANA USA – even this little one! Photo by Amber Wiseman.USDF was proud to be a partner of EQUITANA USA. Photo by Chelsey Burris.Mountain Pleasure horses are known for their smooth four beat gait, personality, and trainability and they excel in disciplines like equestrian drill team, trail obstacle, and trail riding. Photos by Chelsey Burris.Rockin’ R Rhythm Riders Mountain Pleasure Horse Drill Team demo showed off the Mountain Pleasure Horse.This is the oldest gaited breed in North America and has been proven to be the parent breed of all North American gaited breeds including Rocky Mountain, Tennessee Walking Horse, and American Saddlebred.The breed is native to Eastern Kentucky and is currently listed with the Equus Survival Trust as Critically Threatened.USDF’s Senior Competition Coordinator, Taylor Chism, was one of the riders in the Rockin’ R Rhythm Riders Mountain Pleasure Horse Drill Team demonstration. Photo by Chelsey Burris.
Check out the Rockin’ R Rhythm Riders Mountain Pleasure Horse Drill Team demonstration below, featuring USDF’s very own Taylor Chism, in action! Video courtesy of Chelsey Burris.
USDF Senior Competitions Coordinator Cristen Brown scored big when she got a Laura Graves autograph on her limited edition Verdades Breyer Horse. Photo courtesy of Cristen Brown.Laura Graves leads the Dressage Clinic session in the Alltech Arena. In just over a month, this same arena will be home to championship rides at the 2021 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Photo courtesy of Cristen Brown.Laura Graves poses with the Breyer in the likeness of her superstar dressage horse Verdades, who was the Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year in 2018. Verdades has since been inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Cristen Brown.Photo by Chelsey Burris.Photo by Amber Wiseman.The trade fair gave attendees a great chance to do some shopping, and also to meet some of the horses participating in demos throughout the week. Photo by Amber Wiseman.Fjord horses – cute and functional! Photo by Chelsey Burris.Fjords were a Featured Breed in the Covered Arena, where attendees could learn about them up-close! Photo by Amber Wiseman.The US Pony Club had several hands-on activities for equine enthusiasts of all ages. Here are horse shoes vs human shoes – a comparison. Photo by Chelsey Burris.USDF Education Coordinator Alex Belton with Team USA Para Dressage Olympian Sydney Collier. Photo courtesy of Alex Belton.EQUITANA USA gave attendees the chance to meet well-known equestrians from all disciplines. Here, USDF Education Coordinator Alex Belton was happy to meet 8-Goal Polo Player Nic Roldan. Photo courtesy of Alex Belton.Thanks to everyone who came out to the Kentucky Horse Park for EQUITANA USA. See you next year! Photo by Chelsey Burris.
