Equifest Program 2020

presentedby

Battle of the Breeds

Shelby Bluthardt & Abe After a successful post-track career Abe, an off-the-track Thoroughbred gelding, has overcome several freak-injuries and defied the odds. The fact is, Abe should not be able to be ridden at all - but he came back from all of it better than ever! In 2018, Abe sustained trauma to his rear end. He got his tail stuck in the hinge of a pipe fence and fractured his croup, all the way down his tail. Abe was rushed to Kansas State University where they did not know if he would survive 24 hours, he had so much trauma and nerve damage he could not defecate on his own. After inflammation and infection, Abe’s tail was rendered necrotic and removed, the first surgery of its kind. All in all, he spent over 30 nights, over ten visits, and endured over 40 skin grafts on his tail. Not only did Abe completely heal from his injury, he came back with a presence, attitude, and energy he never had before. Abe has NO TAIL not even one tail vertebrae and he is defying the odds. Shelby wanted to compete this year to show people not to give up and to not quit, just like Abe never quit. She also wants to show people it does not matter what Travis will be competing on a 4-year-old Mustang named Shaw, owned by Kim Dieker. After riding bulls for 20 years, Travis now owns and operates a horse breeding and training farm in Osawatomie, Kansas. He currently competes in UHCA, mounted shooting, and cow horse com- petitions. He loves training Mustangs, especially ones straight out of the wild. Travis says he loves getting a new mustang he can’t even touch and bonding with it and getting it to think. Travis says horses make him a better person. Travis and Shaw look forward to showing the audience how versatile Mustangs are. Marcelo Guzman & Lil’ Rockstar Originally from Chile, Marcelo is a fourth-generation professional horse trainer. After fulfilling his equestrian goals in South America in Rodeo Chileno (Chilean cowhorse) and in show jumping, he started specializing in reining. A lifelong passion of horses brought Marcelo and, his wife, Amparo, together. After both having been successful in equestrian disciplines in Chile, they set out with the goal to fulfill the dream to build an equestrian career in the USA. Today, the couple is based in Manhattan, Kansas, with Lil´ Rockstar, a pure bred Chilean stud imported from Chile. They are eager to be a part of Equus Curito Battle of the Breeds HMH SHOOT N THE MOON aka “Shooter” and Brittany are both Kansas born natives. Shooter is a 4-year-old smokey grullo Rocky Mountain Horse stallion bred and raised at Hopkins Mountain Horses in Kingman, Kansas. In late 2017, brothers Ryan and Justin Price from Utah fell in love with Shooter. A partnership between Hopkins Mountain Horses and Rocky Mountain Acres was born. Shooter moved to Utah to live the next year and a half learning to be a real mountain horse, and was started by Ryan Price. Shooter traveled back to Kansas in August 2019 with Brittany and attended his first show ever. Brittany says they are excited to compete in the Equus Curito Battle of the Breeds to show how versatile Rocky Mountain Horses are. Brittany’s goal is to illustrate how Rockies excel in everything they try, how attainable they are, and show how the beautiful and unique Rocky Mountain Horse stands out from the crowd. your horse looks like they can still do it all. Travis Calderwood & Shaw and showcase the Chilean horse to the world. Brittany Hopkins & Shooter

Marty Hunt & Daphene Daphene is an 18-year-old Hanovarian mare whose primary training has been dressage. Cross Training is at the center of her program for Daphene as Marty believes it adds enrichment to the mare’s life. Marty says trail riding and being able to live like a horse are very important to Daphene’s well-being, and learning new things is part of what keeps Daphene happy. Marty hopes showcasing Daphene’s unique abilities as a Warmblood in the Equus Curito Battle of the Breeds competition will be a wonderful experience for the audience. Shane Irvin & Paddy Shane is a multi-discipline trainer with many champion and reserve champion awards from UHCA and EXCA. Shane and his wife, Grace, own their own boarding and training facility in Drexel, Missouri. Paddy, a 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding, has competed in a variety competitions. He is currently owned by Bill and Sharon Lewis. Shane and Paddy wish to compete to demonstrate the versatility, scope, and range of the breed. Matt Lange & Color Me Maggie Matt is a horse trainer near Alta Vista, Kansas. Specializing in versatility ranch horse show events, tune ups, and colt starting, Matt has 20 plus years of experience in a variety of different equine breeds. Matt learned his skill from the Kansas AQHA Hall of Fame Trainer, Dean Smith of Council Grove, Kansas, for whom he worked for 10 years. Matt, his wife, and son actively participate and show in several associations including the Kansas Quarter Horse Association and the Kansas Buckskin Horse Association as well as being active board members, and the Morris County Youth Rodeo Association. Achievements of him, his family, and customers are many achievements too numerous to list here. Hanna Perry & Tiki Hanna will be riding a 15-year-old rescued AQHA mare named Tiki. Hanna has been riding horses since she can remember. Hanna owns a horse training and lesson business which she operates both out of her personal farm as well as Ivins Horse Rehab. Hanna believes her training program is simply “one big toolbox.” She started off her career with one set of tools, as she encounters new problems, she acquires new tools and improves her old tools. Hanna believes as a trainer and instructor, she should never stop learning, because no horse or student is the same. Hanna has been giving Tiki the quality care and training she deserves as she has rehabbed her over the winter. She is so excited to show everyone during Equus Curito Battle of the Breeds how far Tiki has come and that middle-aged rescues can flourish with the proper care and training. LisaWolters & Bucyrus Lisa is excited to be a part of Equus Curito Battle of the Breeds to showcase her 17-year-old Percheron, Bucyrus. She hopes to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of the breed. Lisa describes Bucyrus as her “heart horse.” He is willing to do whatever she asks of him. Lisa took time off from riding these last few years to get a degree in education and taught grades 7th through 12th last year. Lisa is looking forward to showcasing what someone outside of the equine industry can do with a horse while working around their job and family life.

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