Equifest Program 2023

SPECIAL GUESTS

AQHA and AQHYA World Championships shows. Ryan is a many-time Kansas Quarter Horse Association High Point Winner, multiple Top Ten Finisher at the AQHA World Show, AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Reserve World Champion LTD Open Working Ranch Horse and has won money in the NRCHA Team Roping, and various open ranch horse contests and associations. From their facility in Downs, Cole Training offers training, showing, sale, les sons and stands their stallion Farra Rey Time to the public. When not training and showing Ryan is active in his com munity serving as a 4H leader, elder in his church and attending son Garrett’s activities. Sunday w 12:30 w Ag Hall Arena w Opportunities to Compete in Versatility with KQHA Q&A

SAVANNA CHESTNUT Raised in the boondocks of Kansas, Savanna Chestnut is a Country music singer/song writer whose music reflects her roots. Growing up in Americus (a small farm town), Savanna developed a love for the sweet, twangy sounds of old school country music and that is exact ly what she aims to bring back to the modern country scene. Savanna started writing and performing around age 13 and she consistently tours around the country playing a wide vari ety of venues, festivals, fairs and events. She has opened for acts like Gary Allan, Eli Young

GEFF & DAWN DAWSON

Band, Reckless Kelly, Tanya Tucker, Ned Ledoux, Sunny Sweeny, Ward Davis, Granger Smith, Restless Heart, and Shenandoah and more. Special Appearance: Celebrate EquiFest Thursday at 6:00pm in TPEC Arena

RYAN COLE

Geff Dawson and his wife Dawn bring with them some fun cow boy western entertainment with his original western music and cowboy poetry and a bit of comedy as well. His songs and poetry are true-life experiences while working on ranches in the Kansas Flint Hills that will keep you hooked to the end. They bring you into their cowboy way of life with great music, fun and laughter. They are truly unique to the western entertainment industry and whether they perform in a theater, auditorium, near a chuckwagon or campfire, you are sure to enjoy it. Thursday w 6:00 w TPEC Arena w Celebrate EquiFes t

Ryan was raised in the northeastern Kansas town of Downs on his family’s farm. Ryan began at an early age to be involved with all parts of his dad’s (Craig Cole) opera tion. Returning home after college to join the family busi ness, Ryan began a 23 year and counting partnership with his parents raising, training, and showing American Quarter Horses. Along with his wife LaRhea Ryan, he is proud to raise his son Sage on the family farm. While Cole Training Stables today focuses on Ranch Versatility, Cow horse and rope horses, they continue to train and coach non-pros and youth in a variety of events including English, Halter, Western Pleasure, and Western All Around. The Coles have always had a very diversified clientele so the rise in the popularity of the Ranch Riding and Ranch Horse Versatility fits well. Horses and riders trained and coached by Ryan and Craig have consistently placed in the top five at AQHA VRH World Show and have made multiple Finals appearances and Top Fives at the

2023 EquiFest of Kansas Official Program v 33