Zoo Season Opens with Third Annual Equine Week
Equestrian News Release
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MASSACHUSETTS HORSE MAGAZINE
NINE-DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATES HORSES, DONKEYS AND PONIES
Springfield, Massachusetts—April 7, 2006--Work horses, companion horses, show horses, donkeys, ponies, and more will be on display and demonstrating their abilities at The Zoo throughout a 9-day period, April 15-23, 2006. In partnership with Massachusetts Horse magazine, “Equine Week” celebrates the exceptional diversity of the horse, in numbers of breeds as well as multitude of jobs they perform.
Twenty-five breeds of Equines will be visiting the Zoo for this year’s event, from all over Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York. Visitors can see the equines up close and then enjoy watching demonstrations throughout each day, as each breed exhibits its expertise.
Equine Week’s returning favorites will include the colorful Paints and pintos of Chestnut Hill Farm in North Windham, CT, and trainer Jonathan Blake. Blake was 18 when he got his first Paint horse in 1976; he has trained Paint and pinto show horses since 1990. “Colored, spotted, painted, whatever you call them, pintos and Paints are not just cow ponies. They are three-day horses, fine harness horses, reiners, trail horses, and beloved family pets.”
This year, two breeds of endangered horses will be visiting. The hardy Canadian horse was nearly extinct in the 1970’s, but now there are 500 in the United States and only a few thousand world-wide. The strong horse was originally used for military mounts and logging and farming but is now legendary in jumping, dressage and driving competition. Sue Bliven from Four Feathers Farm in Franklin, MA has sixteen of them which she breeds and rides. Sue will be bringing 3 Canadian Horses on Sunday, April 23rd and her stable riders will be demonstrating free lunging, riding and drill team maneuvers. The oldest and purest of England’s pony breeds, the Exmoor pony is also endangered. About 200 remain freely ranging about the Exmoor dales in England. With those under domestication, the worldwide total is no more than 2,000. Lisa Wojan of Exmoor Ponies of North America, located in Litchfield, CT will bring two of her Exmoors on Saturday, April 22nd for visitors to watch perform under saddle.
There will be many horse-related events every single day. Children can take a pony ride on the gentle ponies of Rocky Acres Farm from Orange, MA. A $3 fee will be charged for the pony rides. Children can also get a yarn pony tail ready for show, by braiding, attaching bows and otherwise decorating the tail to take home. Get your face painted by the experts of Imagical Face and Body Art, with a horse or other design of your choosing (varying fees apply). Also, browse the exhibits under the tent to learn of horse breed rescue efforts, horse training, specific breed information, coloring pages, horse art, and much more. Pick up your free copy of Massachusetts Horse magazine to take home. Horse drawn wagon rides will also be offered on select days.
Visitors can gauge their Zoo visit around which breeds will be present each day. Following is a listing of the Equines due to visit the Zoo and some of the activities planned during the festival:
Saturday, April 15th , Mammoth Jackstock donkey and a miniature mule will be guests. Visitors can see the handling of a donkey under saddle by Deb Kovak from the Yankee Donkey and Mule Society out of Dudley, MA. Also see the riders from Rohan Equestrian at the Craig Equestrian Center in Montague, MA. They will demonstrate a variety of riding styles, perform a jumping contest and display a variety of horse breeds including the big Percheron draft horse, little Shetland pony, a Connemara Thoroughbred cross, Morab, and Canadian Draft and Warmblood cross. Tetreault Farms will be providing wagon rides around Forest Park between 10am and 4pm for an extra fee.
Sunday, April 16th Today we are pleased to host 5-time National Side-Saddle Champion Rhonda Watts Hettinger of Wilton, NH. She will demonstrate side-saddle riding as well as explain its origin and techniques. Flashy Hackney Ponies from Carriage Crossing Farms in Cromwell, CT will demonstrate their spirit and show-ring flare. These will contrast wonderfully with a visit by the more down-to-earth hard-working Standard mule and miniature mule as well as two Mammoth Jackstock donkeys. Wagon rides will be provided by Tetreault Farms from 10am until 4pm for an extra fee.
Monday, April 17th the Zoo will enjoy a visit from a huge gentle giant, the Shire Draft horse from Equine Plus, LLC out of Voluntown, CT. This huge, handsome draft horse can be seen side by side to the small Shetland/Welsh pony cross who will be the subject of a braiding demonstration by Shaina Humphrey of the Granby Regional Horse Council. Children can practice braiding with her expert guidance. A black and an unusual spotted Standard Donkey and a Mammoth Jackstock donkey will also be on display today from the Yankee Donkey and Mule Society. In addition, learn about the valiant efforts of the Baystate Equine Rescue organization out of Oakham, MA in saving horses that due to neglect or lost usefulness may have otherwise lost their lives. Meet one of these very fortunate and beautiful animals. Today, visitors may opt to take a wagon ride around Forest Park with John Allegra between the hours of 11:00 and 3:00 which includes an extra fee.
Tuesday, April 18th Jon Blake of Chestnut Hill Farm in North Windham, CT will be attending today with Stormy, a beautiful young paint. They will be demonstrating lunging and riding. Paints crossed with draft horse results in other guests today, the handsome Spotted Draft horses. This beautiful pair from Jacquier Auctioneers in Southwick, MA will demonstrate driving. A Baystate Equine Rescue pony will be visiting again today. Also, an Arabian filly rescued from the Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU) industry will be in attendance as well. This filly is the result of an industry that manufactures replacement hormones that the pregnant mares are raised to produce. Also, enjoy seeing a striking Hackney Pony from Carriage Crossing Farm in Cromwell, CT.
Wednesday, April 19th Massachusetts Horse Publisher/Editor Stephanie Sanders-Ferris will be visiting with her Miniature Horse, “Little Rasta Man”. Everyone likes the versatile miniature horses. Exciting riding demonstrations will be performed today by DD Performance Horses of Feeding Hills, including drill team maneuvers. The riders from this stable will demonstrate hunt seat, western, and other riding styles with two Paints, an Appaloosa, and Thoroughbred. A beautiful Friesian colt will also be on display. Be greeted today by the princesses from the Western Massachusetts Appaloosa Club complete in their sashes and tiaras.
Thursday, April 20th DD Performance Horses are coming back today with a Quarter horse to conduct some barrel racing. See more great riding demonstrations with an Arabian horse and a Welsh pony. A stunning traditional Arab costume will be on display in the exhibit area. Today, 2 representatives from the Mounted Search & Rescue Unit out of Barre, MA will also be demonstrating special training their horses have received in order to do this life-saving work.
Friday, April 21st Appaloosas performing community service work with the South Windsor Police Department will be our guests today. Robin Massanti, Community Service officer will be talking to visitors about safety issues and how she and her horses perform their duties together. The Northeast Fjord Horse Association will attend with their beautifully tempered Norwegians Fjords and will conduct some unique riding and training demonstrations. Also, see natural horsemanship performed with a paint horse responding to bitless bridle riding.
Saturday, April 22nd Today enjoy seeing West Springfield’s contribution to horses, the Morgan Horse. Handsome Lippitt Morgans from Randallane Farm in Northfield, MA will be present and performing wonderful riding demonstrations. Visitors can enjoy viewing the 5-gaited Icelandic horses coming from Monterey, MA. These hardy horses are perfectly suited to the harsh conditions of their country of origin. Exmoor Ponies will also be here on this day, arriving from Litchfield, CT.
Sunday, April 23rd On this final day of the event, enjoy the Lippitt Morgans once again. The rare Canadian horses are coming today and visitors can enjoy riding demonstrations and display about this tough yet gentle and smart horse. And, from Chatham, NY we welcome a miniature horse from Celtic Miniature Horses who will be doing a program to music. John Allegra will be back offering wagon rides around Forest Park for an extra fee.
This event is FREE with paid Zoo admission. Some activities such as pony rides, face painting and wagon rides do require an additional fee. Admission is $4.50 for adults; $3.50 for children ages 5-12; $2.00 for Children 1-4; Free for ages up to age 1; $3.50 for Seniors; free for Zoo members. Visitors are encouraged to consider joining the Zoo which enables free admission for family members each day. Starting April 1st , The Zoo is open to the public 7 days per week
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