Breyer invites children to discover the world of horses

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE - Breyer invites children to discover the world of horses at the first Pony Up! festival at the historic United States Equestrian Headquarters on Saturday, June 18.

Pony Up! is a fun, hands-on, family-oriented festival featuring some of the real local horses that inspired the Breyer models. Children will be able to get up close with the horses and meet their owners, take pony rides, visit a petting zoo, and participate in fun craft activities such as Stablemates paint-your-own-model-horses and play tables.

Special guest horses will include local Breyer portrait models Brookside Pink Magnum owned by Rebecca McGregor of Rebedon Farm in Phillipsburg and Oration owned by the Desiderio Family and Tranquility Farm in Chester.

Equine demonstrations in the equestrian center’s arena will feature Arabians, American Quarter Horses, ponies and draft horses.

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Additional activities for children include jumping competitions with fun prizes, face painting, magicians and a craft activity tent.

Model horse hobby enthusiasts will enjoy the Hands-On Hobby booth where hobby experts will talk about collectibiles, model horse showing and customizing. Free model horse workshops such as Introduction to Customizing, Repairing model horses, Create Your Dream Horse, Making and Creating a Horse Suncatcher will also be offered.

Admission is $10 and includes all activities with every child ticketholder age 17 and under receiving a free Breyer Classics scale model horse to take home (a $20 value). Advanced tickets to Pony Up! are strongly suggested and are on sale now at www.breyerhorses.com.

“We created Pony Up! as a great way for kids to discover the world of horses and model horses in a relaxed, welcoming environment,” said Breyer Events Manager Jaime Potkalesky. “The horse community provides great opportunities to teach important life lessons such as empathy and compassion. To get children started, we will send every child home with a Breyer model horse to play with and enjoy.”

Local barns will be on site with information about riding lessons and children’s programs and where to find local stables in the area.

One of America’s most iconic toy brands, Breyer Animal Creations has been dedicated to the creation of authentic and realistic model horses for play and collecting for more than 65 years. Its portrait models of horse heroes and animals like Secretariat, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, RinTinTin and Lassie have inspired children of all ages to love animals. Breyer is a division of Reeves International (www.reevesintl.com), a family-owned toy manufacturer and distributor based in Pequannock.

For additional information visit www.breyerhorses.com.