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Seminars

Seminars

Educating new collectors and horse lovers has always been a staple of BreyerFest! BreyerFest speakers offer a wealth of knowledge about real horses and the model horse hobby. All of our seminars are FREE, do not require registration, are available to ALL ticket holders, and are located in the South Theater of the Visitor Information Center at the Kentucky Horse Park. Seminars will be recorded and posted on BreyerHorses.com for ticket holders with virtual access* to view on their own time all weekend long.

As well, BreyerFest has once again partnered up with the EQUUS Film & Arts Festival to bring BreyerFest guests exclusive viewings of their year’s festival favorites on Sunday.

Friday Seminars

Scott Beckstead with a live horse

The Wild Horse Refuge with Scott Beckstead

Visitor Center Theater | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Kick off your weekend at BreyerFest with this incredible talk, presented by Scott Beckstead, the Chief Equine Programs Director at the Wild Horse Refuge in Colorado. Developing a new standard for wild equine sanctuaries, the Wild Horse Refuge is a world-class sanctuary that is home to hundreds of wild horses and spans more than 23,000 acres and provides a safe, natural environment where horses can roam freely away from the threat of urban encroachment and human interference. The horses share this vast swath of rangeland with multiple native wildlife species, providing a balanced and diverse ecosystem for all. Attendees will learn about the sanctuary’s comprehensive approach to wild equine care, land and wildlife stewardship, and the crucial role of community involvement and support. The Wild Horse Refuge not only aims to provide sanctuary for Colorado wild horses, but also to educate the public and promote sustainable coexistence with wild horses and the other wild denizens of the range.

Introduction to Model Horse Showing with Kim Bjorgo

Introduction to Model Horse Showing with Kim Bjorgo

Visitor Center Theater | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Interested in learning how to show your models? Kim, one of the managers of our Children’s and Youth model horse show at BreyerFest is here to show you the ropes! Suitable for all ages of new showers, including adults, this presentation will walk you through getting started in the fun, educational, and exciting world of model horse showing! Want to learn more? Stop by the Hands-on Hobby Booth to participate in our mini mock model horse show!

Competing at Trail with Dr. Meg Sleeper

Competing at Trail with Dr. Meg Sleeper

Visitor Center Theater | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Dr. Meg Sleeper, owner of Limited Edition Portrait Horse Belesema Sapphire, will be joining us at BreyerFest this summer to talk about her lift as competitive trail and endurance rider.  Have you ever wondered what the difference is between endurance and competitive trail riding? Do you like spending time outside with horses?

Trail riding competition is an accessible equestrian sport, but even if you don’t have a horse there are lots of volunteer opportunities!  This presentation will cover the basics of endurance and competitive trail riding, how to get involved, and how to move up in the sport. Meg Sleeper VMD has competed at all levels or competitive and endurance trail riding, is a ride organizer and ride veterinarian. A Q&A will follow the presentation.

Marguerite Henry and Misty Mania with Susan Friedland

Marguerite Henry and Misty Mania with Susan Friedland

Visitor Center Theater | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Join Susan Friedland, author of Marguerite, Misty and Me, for an enchanting journey into the world of Marguerite Henry and her beloved Chincoteague Pony, Misty. Discover fascinating true stories and see rare Misty models and vintage memorabilia from the collection of Amanda Geci from MistysHeaven.com. Wrap yourself in cozy nostalgia as Susan shares archival images and heartwarming tales from her travels from Chicago to Chincoteague while uncovering the backstory of two legends. 

Immediately following Susan's talk in the Visitor Information Center Theater (weather permitting), guests are invited to proceed outside to the Misty sculpture at the Horse Park to meet a Misty descendant Chincoteague Pony.

The Story of Sergeant Reckless with Robin Hutton

The Story of Sergeant Reckless with Robin Hutton

Visitor Center Theater | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Join acclaimed author Robin Hutton to learn all about the life of real horse hero Sergeant Reckless, who fought for the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Beloved by her platoon, get a glimpse into the life of this amazing horse through archival photos and learn about her three colts. There's never been another horse like Reckless. She wasn't a horse - she was a Marine!

Immediately following Robin’s talk in the Visitor Information Center Theater, guests are invited to proceed outside to the Sgt. Reckless memorial sculpture at the Horse Park for an in-depth conversation about the monument with Robin and the monument’s sculptor, Jocelyn Russell.

Saturday Seminars

Repairing Models with Jennifer Danza

Repairing Models with Jennifer Danza

Visitor Center Theater | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Don’t we all wish we could touch up some of our favorite models once they start to show signs of age? Now you can! Jennifer O’Donnell Danza’s step-by-step lecture will help you fix the most common types of damage seen on model horses from leg and ear breaks to yellowing. There will be a question and answer period too. Need a more hands-on experience? Stop by the Hands-on Hobby tent to chat with our many talented hobbyists!

“HORSE CAMP” TV/Book Writing Seminar + Signing with Carrie Seim

“HORSE CAMP” TV/Book Writing Seminar + Signing with Carrie Seim

Visitor Center Theater | 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Join bestselling author and TV writer Carrie Seim for a fun seminar on writing your own horse story or show! Carrie’s brand-new novel HORSE CAMP: A HORSE GIRL MYSTERY is a sequel to HORSE GIRL, a heartfelt tale of friendship, Breyers and a 14-year-old’s search for her forever herd. Her books have been praised in The New York Times, The New York Post, Los Angeles Magazine, Town & Country, Rolling Stone, Romper, Young Rider, and Horse Nation, and are being developed as television series.

Carrie will offer expert tips for writing about horses, creating your own TV show or book and sharing it with the world — and lead the group in a hilarious storytelling exercise. Stick around for a special HORSE CAMP book signing after the seminar. Yee-haw!

Identifying Your Breyer with Liz Isham Cory

Identifying Your Breyer with Liz Isham Cory

Visitor Center Theater | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

In this lecture, Liz will walk the audience through the process of figuring out which model you have, determining its age, valuing the piece, and more. Collectibility is a component in model horse showing, and knowing what you have in your herd is an asset! Liz will also touch on research, documenting your collection, and (if the time comes) best practices when liquidating a collection.

30 Years of Cloud with Ginger Kathrens, Founder and Board President of The Cloud Foundation

30 Years of Cloud with Ginger Kathrens, Founder and Board President of The Cloud Foundation

Visitor Center Theater | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Join Ginger Kathrens, the filmmaker behind “Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies” for this incredible celebration of Cloud and his legacy. Ginger Kathrens is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, author, and one of the world’s leading advocates for wild horses. Best known for her breathtaking PBS Nature documentaries featuring Cloud, a striking pale stallion of the Pryor Mountains in Montana, Ginger has dedicated her life to telling the story of America’s wild mustangs and fighting for their protection.

As we celebrate what would have been Cloud's 30th year, Ginger will share her incredible journey with Cloud and explore the Pryor herd today -- their trials as well as some heartwarming moments that make wild horses so intriguing and unique. Discover the challenges that wild horses and burros of the American West face in 2025 and learn how you can be a voice for their future. Don’t miss this inspiring presentation by the woman who brought the story of America’s wild horses to life!

Identifying Pinto Patterns with Lesli Kathman

Identifying Pinto Patterns with Lesli Kathman

Visitor Center Theater | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Do you find yourself wondering what type of pinto pattern your model has? With more than 50 formally described spotting patterns in horses - and more being discovered each year! - it can seem like a daunting task. Horse pattern and genetics expert Lesli Kathman will present an easy-to-understand system for identifying the various types of pintos. She'll also share photos of rare patterns and unusual variants for a deep dive into the world of colorful horses!

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