The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce that the famed Morgan horse Santa Fe Renegade (Gradell’s Vigilante X Sable N’ Mink) and his trainer, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, will be the main attraction during the closing ceremonies of the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, on September 3. Santa Fe Renegade is owned by Bernice Ericksmoen of Granite Bay, CA.

The event-filled ceremony will take place before 50,000 spectators and be televised worldwide in more than 140 countries. The National Broadcast Company (NBC) will be televising the event in the United States. As the main attraction, the pair will present a 10-minute performance in cowboy dressage. Cowboy dressage blends classical dressage with the speed and excitement of Western reining, creating a new and exciting style of dressage rarely seen by European horse enthusiasts.

The closing ceremonies will also feature members of the U.S. driving and reining teams, para-equestrian drivers from the United States, trick riders from 400-500 German schoolchildren that will accompany Beth-Halachmy and Renegade in a parade through the arena. The ceremony, which will introduce an international audience to the beauty and poise of the Morgan breed, is designed to promote the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010 set to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010 will mark the first time the event takes place outside of Europe. During the closing ceremonies, a representative of the Aachen games will pass a ceremonial bottle of water to Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, similar to the passing of the Olympic torch, which he will bring back to Lexington as the city prepares to host the 2010 games.

This international exposure will also help the American Morgan Horse Association kick off the nationwide Celebrate the Morgan Week, which runs from September 10-16. Morgan-related events are scheduled to be held in more than 30 states. Information on your local Celebrate the Morgan event can be found at www.morganhorse.com.

For more information on the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, visit www.aachen2006.de/default_e.htm. And for a sneak peak at Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010, visit www.feigames2010.org.


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