Breyerfest 2016 – Kristian Beverly

Working Equitation

August 11, 2016December 28, 2024Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment

I find Working Equitation to be a fascinating event. Seeing it demonstrated at Breyerfest cemented that fact.

Endo the Blind

A range of horses showed various obstacles of the event. Per the The United States Working Equitation, horses can wear Working Western, English Hunt Seat, Dressage, Spanish, Portuguese, or Charro tack. Each seat has a list of requirements.

This was from the end of the demo when some of the horses showed off some of their other skills. 🙂

There are 24 different obstacles and 6 different levels listed on the website.
Gate

Remove and replace pole

Working around barrels

Skewer Ring

They had to ring a bell

and back through poles, but those aren’t listened on the US website.

This was one of my favorite covered arena demos. Was so glad to have walked by at the right time!

Saddlebreds, Walkers, and Others

August 10, 2016December 28, 2024Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment

I wasn’t lucky in terms of my placement in the special run line. The second half or dead end was consistently where I ended up. But, I did manage to get everyone I wanted, so I was lucky!

I watched reiners in the morning, but the rest of the days I’d often see other breeds warming up. First was this Saddlebred in Harness.

Until the pair left for the arena.

Next were Tennessee Walkers.

Pretty!

They looked comfy to ride, especially when gaiting.

The four horse mini team.

Very pink side saddle.

Glitter!

Lines and Reiners

August 9, 2016December 28, 2024Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment

Waiting in line is all a part of Breyerfest.

There are many types of lines but the line that forms first, even before the start of Breyerfest is the Friday Store line. I have many skills but one of them isn’t sleeping outside in a line. I have limits and love beds. Mel was dedicated and that’s how I ended up number 74 in the Friday morning line aka Ninji Pit of Death .

We were led in by Police.

There was a good amount of people.

and we were welcomed in by drums and dancers.

I was a part of the first group that went into the store. I hoped to get more than just a dog, as I did last year. I did even better. I walked out with zero things. Once the shoving and flapping of arms and plastic ponies started in the bins I assessed my plastic pony dedication and realized I didn’t like to do any of the above.
So I went to the special runs line located next to a warm up arena. A new activity at Breyerfest this year was a Ride A Reiner. Intermediate riders could try out reining on nice reining horses. I watched the schooling of the horses.

The horses changed leads,

walked,

spun,

slid and backed up.

I loved this black gelding. He had such a pretty and sweet face.

Old Friends Part

August 6, 2016December 28, 2024Kristian BeverlyLeave a comment

Old Friends was founded in 2003. It’s a non-profit that focuses on giving a retirement home to ex-racehorses and breeders, the successful ones and the lackluster ones. After the premature death of Ferninad, Old Friends took off and gained ground in giving these horses a last home. Not all horses have sad backstories, and you can read more about them here.

It was my first time coming to Old Friends but Mel had visited before. One of my favorite parts of the tour, if not my favorite, was the seemingly unlimited amounts of carrots we could feed the horses.

Twins

Afternoon Deelites

Silver Charm

I was excited to see Silver Charm, but the horse I was most excited to see was Genuine Reward. I learned about his story through one of my favorite authors, Laura Hillenbrand. He was found on craigslist for 500$, and is one of the only foals of Genuine Risk. Genuine Risk was the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby.