Celebrate the Pure Spanish Horse at the SouthPoint Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada September 1st – 4th, 2010

We were there for the first show in 2009. This is an amazing event with some beautiful horses that maintain their Spanish heritage and flavor.

Come on out and enjoy the magic and beauty of the Spanish Horse!

South Point Equestrian and Events Center at the SouthPoint Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada September 1st – 4th, 2010. The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse invites the public to attend the National Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse Show and Equine Gift/Art Show being held Wednesday, August 30th through Saturday, Sept. 4th at the South Point Equestrian and Events Center.

This year the Foundation and SouthPoint Hotel and Casino have joined to offer free tickets to several Las Vegas children’s charities including Horses for Heroes, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Big Brother/Big Sister, and the Boy Scouts and 4-H! If your child is a member of one of these organizations please call them and ask for information about attending the Theatre of the Spanish Horse as our guest.

The horse show starts at 8:00 a.m. and admission to the daily horse competitions is FREE.

This stunning, “Royal Breed of Kings” also known as “Andalusians,” featured in the films; Lord of the Rings, Hercules, Kingdom of Heaven, -and so many others- will amaze and astound you competing in dressage classes on Wednesday followed by halter, performance and specialty classes Thursday through Saturday. There is something for everyone on Saturday afternoon, from the crowning of our new American “P.R.E.” Idol to displays of dancing in the Mexican Heritage Freestyle and the $5000 Musical Freestyle Kur Challenge…even a fashion show, parade of champions and more!

The highlight of the show will be the fabulous Theatre of the Spanish Horse beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening featuring acts by Medieval Times Dinner Theatre Head Trainers; Tom Reed, Victor de Lara and Rehda Tharsa working their magic with six magnificent P.R.E. stallions performing long–lining demonstrations, the renowned, “Pas de Trois” and the incredible leaps and feats of athleticism known as “Airs Above the Ground.” Many other exhibitions are planned including traditional Spanish riding disciplines such as the garrocha and the heart-stopping Hacienda Miranda Escaramuza team.

If you have not seen this wonderful hybrid of traditionally North American riding with a Mexican flavor by daring ladies in fabulous costumes, this is a “no miss” event. They will be joined by Big Horse Productions specializing in spectacular acrobatics known as Vaulting plus many other exciting acts!

The Saturday Event “The Theatre of the Spanish Horse” is a ticketed event to benefit The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit entity with programs including horse rescue, youth, education and breed preservation programs. This is a family oriented event and show admission is only $17.50 general admission

Tickets through the South Point Ticket Office 702-797-8055. Children under 12 are admitted free. More information is available at www.prehorse.org or www.southpointcasino.com. The South Point Hotel and Equestrian Center is located at 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89123.

The P.R.E./Spanish Horse — known in Spain as “Pura Raza Española” — and here as “Andalusians” is one of the rarest breeds in the United States. The breed’s incredible beauty, legendary kind nature and amazing athletic ability captivate anyone who has the good fortune to “meet” one of these fantasy creatures. Come and meet the incomparable Spanish Horse, the P.R.E. Remember, The National Celebration daily competitions are free to all and the Theatre of the Spanish Horse exhibition is a superb entertainment value- along with being completely family-friendly. Come join us and let the “Horse of Kings” gallop straight into your heart.

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85th Annual Wild Pony Swim

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Chincoteague Ponies on the Shore of Assateague Island

Do you remember reading the book Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry, about the wild ponies of Assateague?

Well the ponies and the island are real… and every year since 1925, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company who are the owners and managers of the pony herds, have held an auction of the foals for that year.

The round up and auction occurs in July on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday.  This year the round up was on July 28, with the auction on July 29.  This was the 85th swim, which lasts approximately three minutes.

The crowds along the shore were expected to swell to forty thousand, as between one hundred fifty and one hundred seventy five ponies crossed the channel.  Mares, stallions, and their foals crossed during low tide, which helps ensure their safety while in the water.

Once the ponies reach the shore, the first foal is crowned “King or Queen Neptune.”  The winner will receive the foal at the Carnival Grounds.  They purchased a ticket from the Fire Company’s raffle, and the winner must be present to win.

In 2009, seventy ponies were sold.  The average cost was $1,344.29, and highest bid was $11,700.  Total sales came to $94,100.

The Chincoteague pony is a recognized breed, with pinto markings being the most common.  To keep the herd at a sustainable size of approximately one hundred and fifty horses, mares are given a contraceptive vaccine.

The mares and stallions returned to Assateague Island on Friday morning.  The island is 48,000 acres and the landscape and weather is ever changing. 

Perhaps one day I will be able to travel to Virginia and see these wild ponies. 

KJ Anthony

Equestrian Moments

PS  The photo was provided by Patrick J. Hendrickson of Highcamera Aerial Photography, of this year’s round up.  Patrick gave me permission to share his photo with you, and if you want to see his other photos, be sure to go to his website… www. highcamera.com