Rocky Mountain Horse Expo Denver, Colorado
By Lisa Bialy & Amanda Speaker
The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo was held at the Denver Coliseum on March 11-13, 2011, and the Peruvian Horses once again had a strong turnout. The Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club attended this year with a great turn out, and back by invitation were Phantom Dragon Ranch, Rancho Paso Fuego and Green Mountain Ranch, who participated with the Centennial State Club and in separate performances, making the Peruvian Horses the most seen breed at the Horse Expo!
Friday and Saturday evenings held The Mane Event, which was a 2 ½ hour equine musical performance, and the Peruvian Horse was there in force! Roberto Quijandria performed the Marinera followed by the Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club, riding a short drill routine. They were a hit with their flashy gold ponchos.
There were Peruvian Horses performing in the Mile High Gaited Horses Performance Team, put together by Lisa Bialy of Ranch Paso Fuego, riding her mare Vista Del Dragon and Amanda Speaker riding her stallion Altivo Imprevisto. Also riding with them was Terri Miller of Green Mountain Ranch with her Peruvian gelding, Morrillo, and they did a beautiful performance to the pop hit, “Americano”.
Quickly changing gears, Amanda Speaker did a breathtaking dance duet ridden side saddle on Altivo Imprevisto with her partner, Jeff Gutierrez, who was on Amanda’s Shire gelding, Thor. There were many other beautiful performances throughout the 2 ½ hour performances on both evenings.
The Peruvian Horses were seen throughout the Expo all three days. The Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club did a great job of having horses at the Trade Show Floor demos, and even managed to get into the Horse Trader for presenting their beautiful horses. Phantom Dragon Ranch presented Corazon Del Dragon, their 8 month old colt, throughout the barn. Everyone loved to see and pet the colt. He was a perfect ambassador of the Peruvian Breed, as he walked the barn and arenas visiting with people.
Phantom Dragon Ranch would like to thank Murdoch’s Farm and Ranch for sponsoring the Dragon Hospitality Booth and Breed Stall this year. We couldn’t have done this without Murdoch’s generous support. Special thanks goes out to Lisa Bialy of Rancho Paso Fuego for her help in planning and coordination of the Mile High Gaited Horses Performance Team, and including several of the Peruvians in their performance. And also a big thank you to Terri Miller of Green Mountain Ranch for her participation and for the beautiful aisle banners she made for all the stalls on the Dragon aisle.
We also would like to thank each and every person who had a hand in the planning, stall set up, costuming, volunteering time to help in the horse barn, and to those who showed their support by coming to Expo and The Mane Event performances. A good time and an informative Expo was had by all participants!
