FREE DOMESTIC GROUND SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $49 | *See Terms Here
FREE DOMESTIC GROUND SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $49 | *See Terms Here
Along with all the wonderful Guest Horses invited to meet fans, BreyerFest also invites some very special guests and entertainers each year. This year we have a bunch of Special Guests who all embody the Against All Odds in one way or another and are excited to share their stories of triumph with fans. Our entertainers, usually found in Celebration Park, are invited to keep the fun going for guests all weekend long. From diving dogs, to live music, and hands on experiences there is something to entertain everyone!
Guy McLean is a world-renowned, self-taught Australian horseman who has entertained, inspired, and educated thousands of people from all walks of life. His team of horses have been featured at many major Australian, American, and Canadian events such as Royal shows, Equitana Asia Pacific, WEG, BreyerFest, the NY Central Park Horse Show, and Australia’s Got Talent. Through his performances, Guy strives to inspire and educate people from all around the world. Although Guy has always identified himself as a horseman first and foremost, his talents with Bush Poetry have twice crowned him as Australian Bush Poet Champion, in 2002 and 2006, along with the great honor of being named an official "Ambassador of the Outback."
Guy’s performances are known for being inspiring, educational, and above all entertaining for both young and old and the horse enthusiast and the uninitiated alike. With all these achievements under his belt, Guy continues to share what a shy boy from a small country town can achieve with passion and desire. He wants to be able to inspire and educate people from all walks of life from around the world on his many tours. It is his ongoing desire to create shows to inspire the younger generation, as they are so crucial to our future for our equine and agricultural industries – they will be the next great horsemen, stockmen, cowboys, and farmers across all countries.
Wren Blae Zimmerman is a visually impaired/legally blind show jumper based in Lexington, KY. At 17 years old, Wren was diagnosed with a rare incurable eye disease called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, which has since led to blindness. (*Wren is considered both visually impaired and legally blind — Roughly 90% of people who are blind have some sort of usable vision, and in Wren’s case, her central vision is totally blank and her peripheral vision is incredibly blurry; in low light and at night, Wren experiences near-total blindness.) In 2015 Wren began her work campaigning for the sport of Para Show Jumping to become an officially recognized discipline in the US and Canada (and ultimately, a Paralympic sport), with the goal of empowering growth, change, and equality within equestrian sport on both a national and international level by making it more inclusive and accessible.
Wren relocated to Lexington, KY in 2019 to train and compete more seriously and continue pushing the Para Show Jumping movement forward. Wren's personal goal is to become the first blind person to compete at the national Grand Prix level — changing perceptions about people with disabilities. At the helm of the Para Show Jumping North America movement, Wren has been working with the governing bodies to continue progressing the PSJ movement and establishing the sport. Wren organized the first Para Show Jumping demonstrations in North America, working closely with EEI, which were held at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, attended by a record 85,000+ spectators, and her efforts to advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility have led to her roles as an External Thought Leader on USEF's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan and as a member of USEF’s Adaptive Sport Committee. Wren is currently in the process of setting up a non-profit with the vision of equal access for all equestrians. The non-profit will support the Para Show Jumping North America mission, working to provide resources, opportunities, and support to people with disabilities. Additionally, it will aim to increase access to equestrian sports as a whole, encompassing any and all individuals who may face any type of challenge or barrier to access.
Dixie is a 12 year old Arabian/Tennessee Walker cross mare, that was starved almost to death at just 2 years old. Christy got her healthy again and did lots of extensive training in tricks and riding. Dixie has now been in 2 movies, a TV pilot, on the news, in several parades and has won many open shows. She was the trick horse in the movie Orphan Horse, starring Jon Voight. She was the star horse in the lifetime movie network film "Killer Daddy Issues", and she was also used as stunt horse in a pilot filmed at Guntown Mountain where they shot real guns over her head. With a love for the spotlight, Dixie was phenomenal for all 3 films!
Dixie has an amazingly personable demeanor and loves to perform! She is trained to rear up, lay down, Spanish walk, pick up a bowl, take a blanket off her back, give kisses, stick her tongue out and say yes and no!
Lauren Reischer is a 25-year-old woman born with Cerebral Palsy who started therapeutic riding at age 3 at the recommendation of her surgeon after a reconstructive hip surgery. After "graduating" from therapeutic riding, she took to riding recreationally and competitively with hunter/jumper barns on Long Island, NY. In 2021, she graduated from Brown University where she co-captained their NCAA equestrian team and earned her bachelor's degree in education and public policy.
Following her graduation, Lauren worked as Director of Development at Special Olympics New York (SONY), where she raised money to help create the Summer Show Series. This program gives the equestrian athletes of SONY the opportunity to compete alongside the larger hunter/jumper community at 'A' shows in their own signature equitation division. Although she now works in Marketing & Communications at the American Thoracic Society, she still spearheads the SONY equestrian program and turned professional in September 2022 to continue growing the program and cultivating the next class of riders with disabilities. Lauren is also a proud Board Member of GallopNYC, the very therapeutic riding organization that she learned to ride with. Lauren has been involved with GallopNYC for over 15 years and continues to participate in their fundraising activities, horse care activities, and more.
Benignity aka "Blue" is a 16 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding who became a permanent member of Lauren Reischer's herd in the beginning of 2018. Lauren first met Blue in 2014, where he was boarded by a private owner at the barn Lauren was riding at and just starting his career in the greens. Although she had never ridden him herself, Lauren had always adored Blue and got to know him quite well on the ground.
When Lauren had the opportunity to give him a forever home in 2018, she was overwhelmed with joy. From the first ride, it was a match made in heaven. His comfortable gaits and cautious nature kept her safe and confident in the tack. A highly intelligent, self-aware horse, within weeks Blue demonstrated that he understood Lauren's disability and physical weaknesses with crystal clarity. 5 years later, Blue has grown into the "adult therapy horse" that Lauren never expected. They now show together in the USHJA outreach hunters! In the barn, Blue is the "welcoming committee", eager for every person who arrives to pay him a visit....as long as you have a cookie!
Renaissance aka "Rennie" is a 20 year old Oldenburg gelding who became a part of Lauren's herd just more than a year ago. Rennie boasts a long and successful career in the 3'6 large junior hunters and is a veteran at practically every major show. He was the beloved hunter mount of Becca Weissbard (#RideforBecca), who tragically passed away in 2016. Since then, he has brought a number of young riders up from their ponies, and even got to play in the adult hunters. In 2022, Rennie sustained an LCL injury in 2022 that ended his jumping career. Known for his utmost dependability, Rennie was given to Lauren Reischer in April 2018 so he could begin his second career as Lauren's personal horse; serving the flat-only riders with disabilities in her SONY show program; and most notably, being Blue's "annoying older brother". In the barn, Rennie is the resident happy camper: happy to stay in, happy to go out all day, happy to ride, happy to have a day off. He loves when you rub his itchy spots for him (between his eyes), and will be your best friend for a Rounders cookie!
Abby Rigert is a 21 year old para-equestrian from the suburbs of Chicago. She is currently studying business at the University of Kentucky. In recent years she has transitioned from hunters to jumpers. When Abby was born she had a mild stroke that resulted in cerebral palsy that affects her right side, mainly with her right calf and ankle making it difficult to keep her right heel down in the stirrup. She has a dispensation that allows her to use a rubber band on her right foot while riding to help keep her heel down.
Abby is extremely passionate about growing awareness for para-show jumping and integrating it into the equestrian community. She also like helping other para-equestrians find and utilize resources to enhance their riding journeys. Catch her in the para-show jumping demonstration in the covered arena daily or back by the stalls. Abby and her horse Frosty are excited to meet everyone this summer!
Gianna Trotter is a 27 year old equestrian who, at just one year old, suffered a brain injury from a car accident. She lost all of her motor function and doctors told her parents she wouldn’t survive. Her disability is known as hemiparesis which leaves her with increased muscle tone and limited function on the right side of her body. After 26 years, Gianna has gone against all odds and continues to carry out her passion. She has been riding for only six years and has fallen completely in love with show jumping. She rides with magnetic stirrups to assist with her lack of heel strike and a modified rein setup that allows her to ride with one hand.
Gianna’s first horse, Ziggy, was a 22 year old Appendix Quarter Horse who showed her the ropes of the discipline and instilled the confidence she has today. Gianna and Ziggy placed 4th in the 2019 year end rankings at Princeton Show Jumping for the 0.70m division. Her new horse, Casey, is a 10 year old Appendix who she thinks is Heaven sent. To have one incredible horse is a blessing but two is a gift. Gianna has always enjoyed sharing her story and creating a platform to further inspire others. She has been public speaking about her disability since the age of 12 and horseback riding has given her the opportunity to continue doing just that. Gianna has a passion for vlogging and shares her journey on social media. She believes that anything is possible and if she can jump her horse the way she does, then who says others can’t. Catch Gianna in the para-show jumping demonstration in the covered arena daily or back by the stalls. Gianna and her horse Casey are excited to share their story with fans!
Jennifer Crawford was five years old when her mother signed her up for riding lessons, unaware that horses would change the course of Jenn’s life. She developed discipline, patience and resilience as well as riding skills. By the age of ten, Jenn added riding hunters and jumpers to her growing list of accomplishments. It seemed only a matter of time until she found her future partner. He was very skinny, standing alone in a stall with his head hung low. The gelding was abandoned. No one looked after him or even came to see him. No one was feeding him. He’s not the horse she’d dreamt of, but the decision was easy. She made him her own. With Beau’s talents soon became apparent as she started working with him. Then on December 26th, 2018, the equestrian life she had worked to build ended abruptly. Jennifer remembers, “I couldn’t move my legs; I couldn’t feel my feet. Everything else was a blur... this was no ordinary fall.”
Beau took one awkward step to the side where Jenn was caught off-balance and slipped from the saddle. Jenn landed in a sitting position, her body upright and both legs straight out on the ground in front of her. A tingle began in her lower back and travelled along her legs to the tips of her toes. When that sensation faded, Jenn’s legs would not move. Her phone was out of reach, left on a jump so it wouldn’t bother her while riding. She began calling out, over and over again, desperate for someone to hear. When she woke up at the Hamilton Trauma Center she saw familiar faces above her, each one lined with worry. She struggled through a haze of painkillers to hear the authority of a doctor’s voice: ...badly fractured lumbar spine...urgent surgery...so sorry to say...her chances of walking again are minimal...wheelchair for life. It squeezed her heart. “I will never ride again.” Since then, Jenn and Beau have overcome obstacle after obstacle and were able to compete in both para dressage and jumpers at Angelstone Equestrian Center the past few years. This year they plan to attend Angelstone again and complete at the 0.8-0.9 division. Catch her in the para-show jumping demonstration in the covered arena daily or back by the stalls. Jenn and her horse Beau are excited to meet everyone this summer!
Born as an unwanted PMU foal Dante was given a lucky break when he was adopted and trained to become a police horse. However, this was not what Dante was meant to do. He did not like his job and soon became labeled as aggressive and untrainable. He was sent off to a foxhunting barn and gathered an even worse reputation when he ran through every fence. Chelsea Kolman heard about this difficult horse and felt and instant connection. Once Dante was hers, she worked with him to find out what he wanted to do. After trying the hunter/jumper ring and being told Dante did not belong there she took him cross-country schooling for fun. After their first gallop their lives were changed forever!
Chelsea found out Dante loved being out on the cross-country field and soared freely over the jumps. The pair worked their way up the levels quickly. They went on to the Junior Olympics and won team bronze at the 3* level, even with a broken rein in the show jumping phase. The pair was on their way to the Olympic scene and were invited to compete at the Nations Cup. Dante felt off and refused on course. After vets telling Chelsea nothing was wrong, she made them test for EPM, a devastating neurological disease. The test results came back, and the vets were shocked; his levels were so low they never intentionally stumbled upon numbers that low. Dante did not respond to medication at first and his symptoms became worse, until they found the right medication for him. Dante was on the mend, but the pairs Olympic goals were put on hold.
Once Dante was better the pair started competing again! However, due to a fractured hind foot after one horse show the pairs dreams were put on hold yet again. The bones healed and Chelsea started to ride Dante again. He showed Chelsea he was not done yet and wanted to get back out to the bigger jumps. The pair worked their way back to the Intermediate Preliminary level and ended the season in 2nd place, and now their goal is to get back to the Advanced level. Despite all his setbacks Dante is showing the world that they don’t have a say in who we are or who we become - we get to choose that! Catch Dante and Chelsea in the Covered Arena daily or back by the stalls to learn more about their incredible story!
Check back soon as more Special Guests are added!