Rockin the Equine Demos!

Along with all the guest horses who come to BreyerFest to meet fans and perform, we have an incredible line-up of demonstration groups who come to show off different breeds and disciplines to fans during the daytime performances in the Covered Arena. While you can catch all the action of their demos you can also take a stroll through the Event Stables and meet all these breeds up close and talk to their owners. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing the amazing line-up with fans!

Meet the Rockin R Rhythm Riders! This all gaited, Mountain Pleasure Horse drill team has been in operation since 2000 and has been a performer at BreyerFest for the past 17 years. The squad is comprised of both male and female riders, and range in ages from 5-65 years old. The group has primarily performed as entertainers and educators for their beloved and critically endangered breed, the Mountain Pleasure Horse/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, frontier nurses and the preacher. 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 14.2-15.2 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 them 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, and 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 2500 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. Their most current roles are those of remarkable, surefooted trail mounts, as well as 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! The Rockin R Rhythm Riders are excited to help celebrate BreyerFest Cheers to 75 Years with some more fun routines!