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We are thrilled to be able to welcome our newest Breyer Family members, our 2024 Portrait Horses, select horses from previous years, and special guests and demonstrators. Our equine friends listed below will be attending BreyerFest so you can plan to meet them in person! We know with all these wonderful equines to help celebrate it’s going to be the biggest Breyer party yet!
Amanda Delgado first met the neglected and abused chestnut paint mare in 2015, standing in the middle of a desolate pasture, but even as rough and starved as she looked Amanda saw that the mare carried herself with a regal, strong, and graceful presence. Named aptly after the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athenian Lady has proven the naysayers wrong and has transformed from a feral and dangerous rescue horse to stunning World Champion.
Athena and Amanda have found their niche in Western Dressage. After facing numerous obstacles during their training, they have gone on to win World Champion Titles in the 2019 Pinto World Championship Show and the 2020 WDAA World Championship Show. Furthering their resume, they earned the title in 2021 as 5x International Champion at the WDAA International Challenge and 4x World Champion at the WDAA World Championship Show. Athena continues her winning ways in the show ring and is continuing her journey up the levels in Western Dressage.
After many ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, Athena has, against all odds, proven she is a true champion. Despite everyone telling Amanda that Athena would never survive, then never be rideable, then never be a show horse, Athena has shown the world that anything is truly possible. A true underdog, she is living proof that we are not defined by one point in our lives, and that the opportunities in our future are limitless.
BreyerFest Celebration Horse Model, Athenian Lady – 1:9 scale
Always Chipper
The odds were against the unnamed black and white pony as he stood in the pen at a Texas auction house. But, with luck and a confident attitude, this plucky, pinto pony is now helping young riders reach their dreams in the Pony Hunter ring!
Fortunately for this scruffy pony, a dealer with a few hundred dollars saw his bright expression and took a chance on him, naming him Chip and reselling him to be a lesson pony. He didn’t then have the skills to succeed in that job, but the stars aligned when Chip was sent to Sue and Alpine Griffin’s farm for training. Right away, Alpine and Sue saw Chip was a diamond in the rough. Along with a great canter and form over jumps, Chip was fearless. He eagerly swam in the lake, boldly chased menacing dogs, and nickered at cows. Sue and Alpine were excited to make Chip a permanent part of their family.
A year away from the auction pen and with the show name of Always Chipper, he was Green Pony Hunter Champion at his first “AA” show! With his confident attitude, square knees, and flashy color, he impressed judges and gained fans. In one magical year, Chip collected tricolors at “AA” shows across the west, ribboned at USEF Pony Finals, and took top placings at the USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas. Since then, Chip has won championships with many kids, taking them from cross-rails to the Regular Pony Hunter division. This special pony continues to share his confidence with young riders, showing them that by being fearless in the face of challenges they can achieve anything!
Alan A Days Work
In a sea of horses, you may just find a little spotted mule with big aspirations. Alan A Day’s Work, a 2008, 13.3 hand john, strives to prove that yes, you can horse show on a mule! Owner Whitney Barnard sought a unique training project after watching a mule compete in an obstacle course class, and soon she found four-year-old Alan. In their early years together, the pair dabbled in many different disciplines, but it quickly became clear that Alan loved to jump. Whitney wanted to show the world how talented Alan was and give him a chance to compete. But as a mule in a horse’s world, it was hard to find acceptance until finally, a local horse show association welcomed them and let Alan shine.
As the jumps got higher, their goals did too, and Whitney and Alan aimed to one day compete at the national level. However, mules weren’t permitted to participate in any nationally recognized jumping disciplines. So, the pair began advocating to change the rules against mules and allow them to compete equally alongside horses in the show ring. Met with resistance, Whitney and Alan found support from their friends and persevered.
After many years, the USHJA and USEF finally passed a rule allowing mules to compete in all levels of jumper competition starting in 2022. In 2023, Whitney and Alan’s goal to become the first mule/rider pair to compete at a recognized jumper competition came true! Not letting rules or judgments stop him, Alan continues, against all odds, to show the world that he is just as capable, and deserving, as any other horse!
Gascon the Great
When you think of the traditional Paso Fino breed you think about the special gaits they are typically shown in –classic fino, corto, and largo. The Paso Fino, developed in Colombia and Puerto Rico, is prized for their stamina, smooth gate, and beauty. While this breed can walk and canter like other breeds they naturally prefer to gait. However, one special grey Paso Fino gelding is pushing his breed’s boundaries and showing everyone just how much he also excels in the jumper ring! In October of 2018 Gascon The Great was rescued from a seizure case that involved 50 other horses. Untrusting, fearful, and neglected, he made his way to Horses Without Humans Rescue where he found Jennifer Cefalu.
After working with Gascon, Jennifer saw something truly special in him that set him apart from many other rescues she’d worked with. She found out he loved to canter and jump. After long, sometimes challenging, days of training Gascon, Jennifer felt he was ready to show the world what he could do. The pair went on to win their first 2’6 jumper class in 2019. After formally registering him with the PFHA they showed at the Paso Fino Grand National Championship later in the year and ended up 3rd in the rescue geldings class. The following year they came back as reserve Champions and now continue to receive top ribbons in both Paso Fino breed shows and jumper shows!
Though bred for traditional Paso Fino classes, Gascon, is showing the world just how versatile he can be. Against all odds, Gascon has gone from a neglected and unhandled young horse to a versatile top show horse who continues to break the mold of his breeds standards, proving that the possibilities for him are endless!
Check back soon as more horses are added!
Legend
When your duties include patrolling over 1,200 acres of the horse capital of the world, of course you do it from horseback! The Kentucky Horse Park’s Mounted Police team does everything from security checks and greeting the public, to writing citations and directing traffic – all from the saddle. Naturally, the officers need safe, level-headed mounts that are also great with people. Meet Legend, the KHP’s newest and youngest equine officer! He joined the team in 2021, and is partnered with Officer Rakow. Mounted Unit Commander Captain Rakes shares that Legend is “calm, level headed and has a kind disposition which makes him a great ambassador to the Kentucky Horse Park.”
Legend is a Drum Horse, with his lineage being a mix of Clydesdale, Shire, and Vanner horse. He gets his name from his medicine hat and shield markings, which according to Native American legend, offer protection – perfect for an equine officer! Legend is excited to see fans at one of his favorite events, BreyerFest!
Cossaco
Working Equitation is an exciting sport that is inspired by the fieldwork used by riders of various countries, and welcomes all breeds and styles of tack. Focused on building a working relationship between horse and rider, there are seven levels and four trials: Dressage, Ease of Handling (judged obstacles), Speed (obstacles at speed) and Cattle. Trainer Jill Barron and her stunning buckskin Lusitano gelding Cossaco are a beautiful example of the partnership that the discipline strives for.
A true ambassador of his breed, Cossaco shows audiences what incredible partners Lusitanos are as he performs and rides in clinics with Jill. A highlight of their shared Working Equitation experiences has been performing for thousands at the National Western Stock Show. In addition to exhibitions and teaching, Cossaco and Jill are currently competing at Masters Level in Working Equitation. In 2022 they became Canada’s first Masters Working Equitation Champions!
Even after years together, building a solid and trusting relationship is at the forefront of all they do. Jill shares, “Cossaco will be the greatest teacher of my riding career…If you believe in fate, we were meant to be dance partners.” They are excited to meet their fans at BreyerFest and show off their Working Equitation skills!
FVA's Grand Design
When you think of the Drum Horse breed, the first thought that usually comes to mind is a horse carrying a large set of drums in a parade. FVA’s Grand Design, known as Tilly in the barn, is breaking the mold and showing the world just how versatile the Drum Horse can be! This stunning mare was orphaned at a young age, but quickly found herself a home at Jane Williamson’s Four Feathers Farm in Michigan. Tilly proved to be a natural at driving and took to both driving as a single or as a pair with no problem.
Four-time winner of the International Drum Horse Association High Point Show Winner, Tilly is certainly proving just how great of a driving horse she is. To add to this versatile mare’s resume, she has even completed a combined driving event, where she is one of only a few Drum Horses to have competed in this discipline! Against all odds Tilly is looking to join us after battling laminitis last year. She is continuing to improve and excited to finally meet her fans this year!
Full Moon Rising
A wildly-colored Thoroughbred, Full Moon Rising began life as a racehorse. Retired sound after his second season on the track, his trainer sought a meaningful second career for him. At that same time, Marsha Hartford-Sapp was looking for a horse eligible to compete in the Retired Race Horse Project. The stars aligned, and “Mooney” came home with Marsha the day they met.
Slowly and carefully, Marsha began his transition from track to dressage arena. In preparation, she took him to Western Dressage competitions to expose him to the show ring, where they found much success! In 2021 – his first year off the track – they amassed an incredible list of titles, including: USEF Horse of the Year Western Dressage Open Intro and Western Dressage Suitability, National Champion Western Dressage, World Champion Western Dressage Intro, USDF Reserve National Champion All Breeds – training level open, and National Pony Cup Small Horse Champion. Of their seemingly fated journey Marsha shares, “Sometimes it’s amazing how we can dream things into reality.” You can meet Mooney at BreyerFest in July!
Nistar Blazing Kansas
Don’t tell Nistar Blazing Kansas that he can’t do something. Standing at 11.2 hands, “Kansas” competes in halter, trail, pleasure driving, and carriage driving for owner Cynthia Bellis-Jones of Fox Run Farm – often against Sporthorses much larger than him. He’s been named a National Champion in the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America (WPCSA), Pinto Horse Association, and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). His dam, the beautiful and talented GFT Blazing Ethel owned by Wayne & Nina Sue Stark, was a champion driving pony herself and obviously passed on her winning ways!
Kansas is still currently nationally ranked the WPCSA’s #1 Section A Stallion, and the road to that ranking was paved in victory. He earned his Legion of Merit with the WPCSA in 2018. The following year he was named the organization’s Welsh of the Year. Kansas was also the United States Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year in 2018 and 2019…all in addition to being a three-time winner of the USDF’s Welsh All-Breed Award and three-time Grand Champion of the National Dressage Pony Cup. Kansas is excited to see all his fans again!
Sporður frá Bergi
Many boast of being the complete package, but few can back it up like Sporður frá Bergi can! Pronounced, “Spor-dthur frow Bear-gee,” this Icelandic Stallion’s friends call him Sporður. Imported from Iceland in 2013, he now calls Kentucky’s Lettleiki Icelandics at Swallowtail Farm home. This five-gaited stallion has show-stopping gaits, incredible bloodlines, and a friendly personality to back it all up! Sporður also sports a flashy red dun pinto coat that makes his high-quality movements stand out even more in the show ring.
An athlete and breeding stallion, Sporður is passing on his unique coloring and powerful build to his offspring in the U.S. and Iceland. Like their sire, many of them have been rated “first prize” – the highest breed evaluation ranking available to the breed, which is based on conformation and movement. With his winning ways and high-quality offspring, Sporður is leaving his colorful mark in the world of Icelandics! Meet Sporður and his Icelandic friends at BreyerFest!
Buckeye
When you think of a mule, does an image of a stubborn pack animal come to mind? Well, Buckeye is here to show the world otherwise! A flashy 2008 leopard appaloosa John mule owned by Jenny and Sammi Majors, Buckeye has made a name for himself in the dressage arena.
Buckeye was trained and shown by Sammi Majors, who shares “The wonderful thing about dressage is that any breed can do it.” When it comes to training mules, Sammi points out that not much differs except that mules don’t care for repetitive exercises, and they retain their training well. The pair has also done a lot of cross training, including over fences classes at mule shows. The pair has competed in Open 2nd Level and Open 1st Level Freestyle, one of their proudest achievements was scoring a 70.3% in their 1st Level Freestyle at the 2017 National Dressage show in Tryon under an “O” rated judge. While their appearance may differ from that of their typical dressage competition, Sammi and Buckeye are happy to share the mule love and add some fantastic floppy ears to the show ring. Buckeye is excited to be back at BreyerFest and meet his fans!
Blue Zeus
The stunning blue roan Mustang stallion that once roamed the Red Desert of Wyoming is now enjoying being free again in his final home: Skydog Ranch & Sanctuary. When Clare Staples, founder of Skydog, first set eyes on Blue Zeus and his family in the wild, she knew she would do whatever it takes to keep this special family free and together. However, the news she was always dreading came to her in October 2020 – Blue Zeus’s herd was rounded up and sent to a holding facility in Colorado. With the pandemic still in full swing, BLM Mustang adoptions were put on hold. That did not stop Clare. She constantly called, emailed, and badgered the staff at the facility to let her adopt the stallion before he was sent to long-term holding, and possibly never seen again. Finally, the facility agreed to open up to a small number of people. Clare immediately spotted the blue roan stallion with white stockings and his distinct battle scars. She bid $25 unmatched, and they trailered him home to the 9000-acre sanctuary in Oregon.
While Clare was happy Blue Zeus was safe, she knew he missed his family. A few months later she went back to the holding facility and had just 4 hours to look at 2,000 horses. Nearing the end of her time, she came across the last pen and spotted three mares she had seen in pictures with Zeus – she found his family! Paperwork was done and the mares and their foals were taken back to the sanctuary where they were reunited with Blue Zeus after 11 months. The family, led by Blue Zeus, now roams the sanctuary freely enjoying their new life, proving that everyone deserves a second chance. Make sure to tune into the Live Broadcast to catch a special interview with Clare and Blue Zeus!