USPC Festival & Breyerfest Recap

This summer has been incredibly busy for the Amplify Horse Racing team! We’ve been actively involved in exciting events from BreyerFest to the United States Pony Clubs Festival and Championships, supporting and engaging with the equestrian community every step of the way. 

Amplify was honored to be a part of BreyerFest for its second year in a row. The annual celebration of model horses held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. This year's festival theme, "Against All Odds," celebrated the resilience of horses and riders who have triumphed over adversity. Amplify showcased its horse programs for youth in the Thoroughbred industry with an enormous tent filled with tactile educational activities, in collaboration with Horse Country. 

BreyerFest attracts a wide range of youth, parents, young adults, and other Breyer fans of all ages from across the nation. Throughout the weekend, BreyerFest welcomed thousands of attendees from across the country. Lines of children and parents flocked to the Amplify and Horse Country exhibit to experience the Thoroughbred industry. Activities included learning how to “ride” a racehorse on a Racewood RT simulator, and then trying their hand in a virtual reality race by putting on a pair of JockeyCam goggles. These activities gave participants a thrilling glimpse into the action-packed world of horse racing, while our innovative racetrack in a test tube activity captivated visitors of all ages while teaching a fun science lesson. Kids could feel the weight difference between an aluminum racing plate horseshoe and a regular horseshoe, along with touching and learning about racing tack and horse care equipment. On the Horse Country side of the tent was a photo op with a life size image of legendary racemare, Rachel Alexandra. A loop of her greatest races played on a TV. Horse Country also offered a tactile station for people to learn about horse feed and nutrition. 

With the support of passionate volunteers and knowledgeable staff, Amplify and Horse Country provided valuable insights into the intricacies of horse racing and the broader Thoroughbred industry. They answered questions regarding careers in racing and pointed youth toward mentorship opportunities.  

Thanks to the generous support from Godolphin, Amplify held a drawing each day for a Cody’s Wish Breyer Horse. It was a delight to give them to the children who won, further igniting their passion for horses and racing. Amplify is committed to inspiring future generations and fostering a deep appreciation for the Thoroughbred racing industry, and Team Amplify is thankful for the support and kindness shown by the Breyer Model Horse community!

Amplify was also part of the United States Pony Clubs Festival and Championships also held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Special thanks to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for sharing their booth with us this year! Together, we were able to educate individuals on equine veterinary research, and career opportunities within racing. We used our special Racewood RT simulator, “Tron” to teach kids the difference between race riding and regular riding. We were also excited to allow youth to ride in a virtual reality horse racing with the ever-popular JockeyCam goggles while sitting astride Tron. Both of these experiences were very popular among attendees, with many coming back throughout the week to race again. Pony Club is a unique organization that specializes in getting kids into riding and focuses on equine education and horsemanship from the ground up through a certification-level system. 

What is Pony Club? The United States Pony Club was founded in 1954. Inspired by Britain's The Pony Club, the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club), it stands as the largest equine educational organization in North America. Its curriculum emphasizes both riding proficiency and horse care, taught through a blend of mounted and unmounted lessons. Pony Club fosters a passion for horses among its members, fostering enduring friendships and imparting skills, habits, and values that transcend equestrian pursuits to enrich lifelong endeavors. Many alumni (including Amplify’s very own Mary-Courtney Combs!) leverage their Pony Club experiences effectively in careers, education, volunteer roles, and various facets of life. 

This year was the largest USPC Festival in seven years at the Kentucky Horse Park. Ten disciplines, 700+ competitors in Championships, 300+ in Education, and 3,000+ in attendance, over the eight days. We can't wait for the next time the Festival comes to the Horse Park! 

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce that we will be offering field trip tours and exclusive Saratoga backside tours later this summer in collaboration with the New York Racing Association, providing unique insights into the world of horse racing and behind-the-scenes experiences. With so much still to come, we eagerly anticipate even more fun events and exhibitions! Follow us on social media to keep up with all our fun events and announcements!