February 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN February 2020 Page 19 Advertise in the Official Program of the HorseWorld Expo , coming in the March issue of East Coast Equestrian ! Reserve your space today! Call Phyllis or Debbie at (717) 509-9800. Email: Phyllis@eastcoastequestrian.net or Debbie@eastcoastequestrian.net www.eastcoastequestrian.net The March issue offers huge bonus distribution at the Horse World Expo. It is handed to tens of thousands of horse owners as they enter the event. It’s used throughout the Expo and then goes back to the farm as a buyer’s guide with a long shelf life. HURRY! Deadline: January 24 By Suzy Lucine On New Year’s Day, Lehigh County, PA, resident Carson Kressley rode an American Sad- dlebred for the sixth time in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. Michele Macfar- lane of Scripps Miramar Saddle- breds in San Diego, CA, asked her long-time friend to join her parade unit to help promote the Saddle- bred to an audience of more than 60 million parade goers and an international viewing audience. All equestrian unit entries were invited to participate in Equifest at the Equidome Arena at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center the Sunday before the parade. This sold out event offered guests coming into town for the parade, as well as horse-loving locals, the opportunity to see all of the eques- trian units perform up close. “The best part is that the audience is invited to come ‘backstage’ to the stabling area to meet the horses and it provides an excellent opportunity to introduce horse lovers to the American Saddlebred,” said Carson. Before and after the parade, Carson was always available for live interviews. “The reporters are always amazed by the beauty of Sea Of Cortez, a beautiful, spotted American Saddlebred that I ride,” Carson said. “Decked out in his special parade regalia, he looked particularly grand. He was so well behaved even though he was snorting at the crowd and all the lights and cameras. I didn’t mind being upstaged by him one bit!” The 11 horses, riders, grooms and assistants arrived in the assem- bly area the night before the parade. The Saddlebreds were unloaded off the vans around 3:00 am. The riders put on their wardrobe around 6:00 am, and walked to the parade area. After Carson did a few interviews, they mounted and got in line for the Carson Kressley Rides in the Tournament of Roses Parade parade, which covered about five and one-half miles. “The parade kicks off with the USAir Force stealth bomber mak- ing a pass overhead in the crystal clear early morning light against the backdrop of the Pasadena mountains,” Carson explained. “It’s a very proud moment -- a piece of Americana in every way. “Of course it’s very exciting to turn the first corner and see the stands filled to the sky with appreciative parade watchers calling out ‘happy new year.’ The horses bring so much joy to the faces of both young and old along the entire route. “The horses are incredible per- formers, boldly marching to the beat of a very raucous marching band behind us or raising their heads and ears, but bravely charging forward into the smoke plume of a float in front that just backfired! It’s an incredible adrenaline charged day!” When asked if all the work that goes into getting this unit ready for the annual parade is worthwhile, Carson enthusiastically responded, “Our participation in the parade elicits an overwhelmingly positive response from horse lovers and non-horse people as well. People comment at the parade or on social and traditional media saying things like ‘Wow, what kind of horse is that?’, and we get to answer, proud- ly, in front of the world, ‘That’s an American Saddlebred!’”