BreyerFest is under way at the Kentucky Horse Park

Smart and Shiney, pictured here with his famous owner Lyle Lovett, will be at Breyerfest this weekend. Three-day ticket holders to the event will go home with a model version of the reining superstar. Photo: Leslie Potter

Edited Press Release

Lyle Lovett’s golden American Quarter Horse Smart and Shiney will headline an amazing line-up of equestrian talent at the 24th annual BreyerFest to be held July 19-21, 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Presented by the legendary reining horse rider/trainer Tim McQuay, Smart and Shiney has been selected as the 2013 BreyerFest Celebration Horse. The BreyerFest Celebration Horse is commemorated as the Breyer Traditional portrait model that is given to each three-day ticket holder at Breyer’s annual model horse collector festival and horse fair. Each three-day ticket holder will go home with a gorgeous Breyer model of Smart and Shiney.

Denim and Diamonds is BreyerFest’s theme this year and the fun family festival that celebrates horses and model horses is anticipated to draw upwards of 10,000 horse lovers to Lexington. Three full days of equine performances are a highlight of the event that also includes a Trade Fair and Breyer Store, a pop-up Boots & Bling gift shop, a Craft and Activity Center with free crafts and face painting, contests, model horse displays and shows, meet and greets with our special equine guests, charity live and silent auctions and two raffles, pony rides, a petting zoo and wandering circus performers

What distinguishes BreyerFest from other equine events is the blending of real horses and model horse hobby activities. In addition to watching guest stars perform, both children and adults can meet and mingle with horse owners and horses, participate in model horse hobby activities and enjoy an entire weekend dedicated to the celebration of horses.

In addition to Tim McQuay and Smart and Shiney, special guests will include another top American Quarter Horse, the all-time leading money earner of reined cow horses and three-time World Champion Reined Cow Horse Topsails Rien Maker and co-owner/trainer Russell Dilday. Also performing daily will be the 2012 Road to the Horse winner Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship, as will trick horse trainer Sue De Laurentis and Lady C. Lady C, a stunning 2001 double-registered Tennessee Walking Horse/Spotted Saddle Horse mare has appeared in Rolling Stone magazine and on Animal Planet with her former owner, rock star Sheryl Crow. Joining this stellar group is Mary Miller-Jordan and her mustang Lindsay’s Faith, a finalist in the 2010 Supreme Extreme Mustang Make-Over and the inaugural “America’s Favorite Trail Horse” winner. Miller-Jordan will also bring Flying Colors, her newest gentled mustang that she will compete with in the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s “Mustang Million” this September.

The smallest and perhaps cutest of Breyer’s special guest horse stars at BreyerFest are Rebedon Farm’s stunning red roan Welsh Pony stallion Brooksides Pink Magnum and Wee Ones Farm’s Tennessee Titan, an eye-catching tyger-spotted Miniature Donkey that competes successfully in obstacle trail course, carting, jumping, and halter conformation

BreyerFest Denim & Diamonds will also host the Eastern Regional Splash Dogs Trials and Championships. Splash dog competitions attract the best and farthest flying dock docking dogs from across the country! Dog dock diving is one of the most exciting new sports for handlers and their dogs! Pets compete for distance, diving from a dock into a 40 ft. pool surrounded by cheering fans. The Championships will be held on Sunday.

BreyerFest guests also have the opportunity to enjoy all of the Kentucky Horse Park’s many attractions including having the chance to see potential future Olympians who will be competing at the Adequan FEI North American Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North which will be hosted at the Horse Park during the same weekend. Elite young riders under age 21 years from the U.S., Canada and Mexico will compete in the Olympic disciplines, reining and endurance to determine who the North American Champions will be for 2013.