Meet the Rockin' R Rhythm Riders!

Horses are at the heart of BreyerFest. Every year, many excellent breed groups share their horses with BreyerFest fans. From well-known breeds such as the Arabian to rarer breeds such as the Gotland Pony, there are a variety of horses to explore. Catch all our wonderful breed demonstrations daily in the Covered Arena or go stop by their stalls to learn more about each breed!

Meet the Rockin’ R Rhythm Riders! This all-gaited Mountain Pleasure Horse drill team was formed in 2000 and has been a performer at BreyerFest for the past 16 years. The squad is comprised of both male and female riders, and range in ages from 5 to 65 years old. The group has primarily performed as entertainers and educators for their beloved and critically-endangered breed, the Mountain Pleasure Horse (also known as the Old Kentucky Saddler).

The Mountain Pleasure Horse is a heritage breed of horse that has been carefully bred in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky for over 200 traceable years. Early Kentuckians developed these sure-footed, smooth-gaited horses to work the fields and carry them over the steep and rugged terrain. These were the horses that were ridden by the traveling doctor, teacher, mailman, and nurse. They carried children to the one-room schoolhouse and the midwife to a baby's birth.

The Mountain Pleasure/Old Kentucky Saddler Horse is an average-sized horse of good bone and feet. They generally run from 14.2 to 15.2 hands in height, and weigh between 900-1200 pounds. These kind-hearted, easily-trainable, gentle horses are often referred to as the “Boy Scout Breed” due to their willing natures and strong attachment to their families. Mountain Pleasure Horses come in all solid colors, but the stunning palomino is a favorite, and many owners take great pride in their “golden horses.”

DNA testing by the University of Kentucky has proven the breed to be the “parent stock” of all other North American gaited breeds, including the Tennessee Walking Horse, the American Saddlebred and, more recently, the Rocky Mountain and Kentucky Mountain Horses. In 1994, a Governor’s Proclamation was issued to verify that fact.

Until recently, few people from outside the eastern Kentucky region were aware of this treasure of the Appalachians. Although owners and breeders of the Mountain Pleasure Horse can now be found throughout the United States and Canada, with only around 2,500 purebred horses left in existence today, they are unfortunately considered a critically-endangered heritage breed and have been included in the Equus Survival Trust and Livestock Conservancy as a rare breed. They can often be found as remarkable, surefooted trail mounts, as well as talented mounts for trail obstacle, arena obstacle, drill team, barrel racing, cow penning, western dressage and a host of other events, proving they’re still one of the most versatile breeds alive today!

This year’s BreyerFest theme is particularly special to this drill team as one of their horses, Trooper, has quite an Against All Odds story! Trooper is a palomino gelding. His rare breed already makes him special, but Trooper is also a living miracle at almost 3 years old - the reason that he is so special is because he was born very prematurely. Most foals are born at 340-365 days, but Trooper was only 309 days old when he was born. Because of that, his little lungs, bones, intestines, and even his skin weren’t fully-formed or working correctly.

Veterinarians gave little Trooper only a 5% chance of surviving 12 hours, and here he is today at almost 3 years old! Trooper also has a very odd white marking on his belly, which is very uncommon in the breed. Neither his dam, sire, nor siblings have any spots on them anywhere. It’s a special mark for a horse that overcame a lot.

“Super Trooper,” as he’s lovingly known on the farm, is a special boy - and because of how amazing he is, he is currently kept at the Kentucky Horse Park's Breeds Barn as a breed representative. Trooper also has his very own children’s book telling his amazing story, which is available on the Mountain Pleasure Horse website. Make sure to go visit Trooper in the Breeds Barn during BreyerFest weekend, and catch the Rockin' R Rhythm Riders' daily performances in the Covered Arena!