Saturday, May 2, thousands will join with celebrities, musicians, dancers and magnificent horses at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for the 11th Annual Fiesta of the Spanish Horse extravaganza, all in support of raising funds for cancer research.

Fiesta of the Spanish Horse is a revered Southern California equestrian tradition that raises funds each year for multiple cancer research organizations. Beneficiaries of this year’s Fiesta are the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. It also plays an important role in integrating communities by honoring horses and people steeped in rich tradition. The four-day event features multi-breed show competitions and a gala show presented Saturday evening.

Among the many celebrities and prominent Los Angeleans supporting Fiesta of the Spanish Horse 2009 are Emmy and Tony Award nominated actor Obba Babatunde, and popular actors J. Eddy Peck and Leslie Charleson. Disney star Miley Cyrus has generously donated an autographed Miley Cyrus golf cart from her new film Hannah Montana, the Movie. The cart will be raffled off Saturday evening, and many one-of-a-kind items will be part of a silent auction, including spending a day as a member of the crew for a 2009 home football game with USC’s famous white Andalusian horse mascot, Traveler.

The Saturday extravaganza, a family-friendly event filled with a variety of vendors and authentic Spanish food and music, features an evening show of non-stop equine entertainment. New to the Fiesta line up this year are the California Cowgirls, a multi-championship rodeo drill team, a Friesian horse performance and a special Lipizzaner horse act. Attendees also will have the rare opportunity to see a horse breed new to the United States, the Costarricense de Paso. There are only nine of these horses in the country.

Spanish horses and related breeds from across the country also will be competing in a multi-breed horse show April 30-May 3 that is free to the public.

Festivities for the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse extravaganza begin at 3:00 p.m. at the LA Equestrian Center grounds. The evening show and equestrian exhibitions begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Equidome. Ticket prices range from $15-$50. Contact (818) 842-7444 or www.fiestaspanishhorse.org for further information.