Not sure what to do on a hot Saturday evening? Looking for family entertainment?? Join The Vegas Tourist at the South Point Equestrian Center for “The Horse of the Kings Theater.” We caught a dress rehearsal of the show on Friday and found it spectacular. The horses are amazing at what they do. Plus the costumes and talent of the riders are awesome

This production is part of the National Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse, currently going on at the South Point. Not sure what a Spanish horse is?? Think the jumping Lipizzaner Stallions and the horses used in Knights of the Round table productions and you get the picture!

The Horse of the Kings Theater tells the story of the P.R.E. (Spanish Horse) through a new and spectacular must-see theatrical event. This delightful play brings beautiful horses into the spotlight as they perform and dramatically show the history of the Spanish Horse as the audience enjoys the art of Classical Dressage (horse dancing), Liberty, Doma Vaquera, Spanish Garrocha, and more in a colorful performance with music, lights and dancers. There will be a special appearance by the incredible stallions and trainers of the renowned Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

Horse of the Kings Theater

South Point Equestrian Center
South Point Casino and Resort

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tickets $17.50/$20.00
Kids under 12 are free

(Photo: Equestrian Moments)

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It is said that once in your lifetime you’ll have one good horse. Some will search for that one horse, and never have that chance encounter. Others may have met that horse, but, never realized it until it was too late. One Dressage Rider may have found her once in a lifetime horse…

I have met a horse that is vying to take his rider Susan Treabess on a quest for a place on the United States Olympic Para Equestrian Team. Susan and this special horse have their hearts set on competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Susan Treabess resides in California and has been training with World Champion Dressage Rider Steffen Peters since 2009. Susan was born without a left hand, and wears a prosthesis. Susan participates in a variety of sports, but has been riding since she was five. Susan has been riding in competitively in Dressage since she was sixteen and her riding career evolved to allow her to compete in International Para-Dressage in 2006. In 2008 Susan found herself selected to be included on a prestigious list, as a developing rider for the US Para Dressage Team. Susan is kept busy riding and training for the events that will showcase her and her equine partner to the world in 2012.

Susan’s equine partner, Fugitivo XII a Pure Spanish Horse, is equally talented. Terry Waechter who is the owner of this beautiful horse was able to provide me a little insight on this majestic stallion. I first met Fugitivo at the 2010 National Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse. Fugitivo was indeed magnificent, he stood in a class of his own, with an undeniable presence that was captivating. He was friendly and approachable and seemed to know he was a champion, and that he was waiting for his human partner to join him in the ring. That wouldn’t happen until the spring of 2011.

Fugitivo is a nine year old P.R.E. stallion who was imported from Spain as a two year old. From the moment his hooves touched American soil, Fugitivo was turning heads and winning Championships and awards. Fugitivo is also a proven breeding stallion having sired nine foals, and currently in Australia for breeding.

Fugitivo and Susan’s progress towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games can be followed on Fugitivo’s websitewww.fugitivo-xii.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/237848992921477/

I wish Fugitivo and Susan great success as they train, show, and prepare for the Olympics. They are already Champions in their own right both in the Dressage Arena and outside of the arena, with nothing to prove to the world, and I am proud to have met Fugitivo. Perhaps one day I will have the chance to see Fugitivo and Susan together at a Dressage competition, and capture their special moment as partners.

KJ Anthony
Equestrian Moments

Come on out next weekend and attend the 2011 P.R.E. National Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse Championship Horse Show at the South Point Hotel and Equestrian Center. (event is sponsored by Yeguada Centurión of Segovia, Spain)

The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and rescue of the Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.) and this is the third year this amazing event has been held in Las Vegas. Best of all is that the daily horse shows are Free to the public!

All this happens Tuesday, Aug. 30th through Saturday Sept. 3 at the South Point Hotel & Casino Equestrian Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Featured in the films “Lord of the Rings” and “Kingdom of Heaven” these glorious horses known as P.R.E.’s (Pura Raza Espanola’s) or Andalusians, with their flowing manes and tails, are one of the rarest breeds in the United States. They have long been known and admired by royalty as the “horse of kings.”

Their incredible beauty, kind nature and amazing athletic ability captivate anyone who has the good fortune to “meet” one of these fantasy creatures. They will be a feast for the eyes as they compete in dressage, halter, performance and specialty classes. The show starts at 8:00 a.m. all days and the daily horse show is free to the public. If you’ve ever wanted to meet “Pegasus” in person, now’s your chance!

Included in the show will be exhibitions throughout each day, an Art Expo, silent auction, a live auction of a Pure Spanish filly, vendors and a variety of educational clinics, including two seminars sponsored by Yeguada Centurión featuring the Top Horse Presenter in Spain, Daniel Isidoro Muñoz and Breeding Farm Technical Director, Alberto Abajo.

Beginning on Tuesday August 30th, see talented horses of all breeds compete in Dressage at Celebration and the Sport Horse in Hand Show, a triple rated dressage show. Dressage continues on Saturday with the $5000 Musical Freestyle Challenge. Liselotte Fore, FEI (I) (International) Judge, will judge the Dressage show and Sport Horse In Hand show.

On Saturday, Sept. 3rd, Jan Curtis, “S” will be our judge in the Musical Freestyle Challenge where P.R.E.’s will vie for a $5000 cash prize. Thursday through Saturday horses will be competing in halter, specialty and performance classes including an American P.R.E. Idol Class the National Champion Spanish Walk, Piaffe and Passage classes, rail classes, Prix Caprilli, carriage/driving Working Equitation and many more. Come early and plan on staying all day!

Highlighting the show will be two ticketed events: on Thursday Sept. 1st beginning at 7 p.m., Mexican Heritage Night will feature the Mexican Heritage Freestyle Event followed by the El Puma de Sinaloa Concierto y Baile with special guest La Sonora de Colombia. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3rd enjoy an all new production of The Horse of the Kings Theater which tells the story of the P.R.E. through a new and spectacular must-see theatrical event. This delightful play brings beautiful horses into the spotlight as they perform and dramatically show the history of the Spanish Horse as the audience enjoys the art of Classical Dressage (horse dancing), Liberty, Doma Vaquera, Spanish Garrocha, and more in a colorful performance with music, lights and dancers.

Special Event and Auction

There will be a special appearance by the incredible stallions and trainers of the renowned Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Come early because just prior to the Theater will be a live auction of a beautiful P.R.E. filly­ take a real live Pegasus home with you! Both special events are fundraisers for the Foundation and tickets (VIP packages available) can be purchased through the South Point Box Office (702-797-8055.) For a complete listing of events, to sign up for clinics or see the show schedule visit www.prehorsecelebration.com or www.prehorse.org or contact the Foundation at 505-294-0800.

These wild Mustangs are being rounded up and moved off land promised to the herds by 1971 laws and treaties.  Being mishandled and abused, on their way to taxpayer financed holding centers, while an empty, non government owned refuge sits close by.  All this to make room for cattle grazing by ranchers  favorable to the administration.

Animal rights groups and those who have a vested (legal) interest in the salvation of the Mustangs are being kept far from the operation.  Not allowing any kind of inspection or verification.   All contractor vehicles have had their license plates and identification markers removed.

For Updates and more information, Click Here

Las Vegas was ground zero for the wild horse debate this past weekend.

According to the website, The Summit of The Horse,  was a “summit of concerned citizens who understand what is necessary to keep the land, the horses, the people, the cultures, and the economies vibrant and healthy.”

They met at the South Point Resort to discuss bringing back horse slaughter in the United States as a viable solution to the wild horse “problem”.

They even got Bob Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management, to be a speaker at the event.  Claiming it was his duty to talk with all those concerned with the issue.  His attendance was not an endorsement of the idea.

It may not be a direct endorsement of the idea, but we do know that Mr Abbey is a friend of the cattlemen who want unrestricted access to cheap federal lands for grazing. of cattle.  And that the wild mustangs pose a serious roadblock to their plans and desires.

Using the discredited argument that the wild Mustangs are over populated and endangering the lands they are on, they need to be brought down to “manageable” numbers.  By sending the excess horses to slaughter instead of to holding pens as the BLM  currently does, would save the government money as well as provide new jobs for western states.

Logic?? Who Needs Logic??
Most people can agree that holding these beautiful creatures in over crowded pens is wrong and costly to the American taxpayer.  But sending them to slaughter is not the answer.

The current system of rounding up and holding them in pens was an idea created by and profited by cattle ranchers, not Wild Mustang advocates.  Other, more economical ideas that cost less and give the Mustangs their freedom back, have been routinely ignored by the BLM.

Pandering to the left’s cry about all the jobs and new tax base a horse slaughter business doesn’t hold water.  Preserving our past and our history while creating eco-tourism involving the wild mustangs, would create as many if not more long term jobs and tax base.

Your Thoughts??

Theatre of the Spanish Horse 2010

On September 4, 2010 I was invited to attend an evening of the Spanish Horse aka The Theatre of the Spanish Horse.

This event was held after the Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse, once all the ribbons had been awarded the evening began.  The horses and riders looked and performed their best to the audience at the South Point Equestrian Centre.

The evening was the place to showcase not only the Spanish Horse, but the talent and beauty of these horses.  From airs above the ground, to a performance from the Medieval Times Horses and Riders, there was something for everyone.  There was even a display of Belgium Heavy Horses, although they are not Spanish Horses, it was still a great display of horsemanship.

My thanks to the President of the Pure Spanish Horse Foundation for inviting me to attend this wonderful event, and thank you to the South Point for providing the venue. 

KJ Anthony

Equestrian Moments

Pure Spanish Horse

I was invited to attend the Celebration of the Pure Spanish Horse at the South Point, from September 1 to September 4, 2010.

The Spanish Horses are some of my favorite horses, and they have been a favorite of Kings throughout history.  Spanish Horses can excel any discipline from dressage to western pleasure.

Spanish Horses are strong boned, with a deep heart-girth, and round powerful haunches.  The most common coat color is grey, but horses can also by bay, black, or buckskin, coat colors can be variations of these colors.

My thanks to the President of the Pure Spanish Horse Foundation for inviting me to attend this wonderful event, and thank you to the South Point for providing the venue.

I was excited to see these beautiful horses and hope you can fall in love with the Spanish Horse.

KJ Anthony

Equestrian Moments

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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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 85^th 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