Across Appalachia, Horses are abandoned and neglected and left unstarted in astronomical numbers.
Our states’ former mine sites are covered in feral horses in need. Thousands. Our counties are unable to keep up with the number of unhandled horses being released, unkempt and maltreated.
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, based in WV, Ohio and Kentucky, believes we have an event able to not only raise awareness, but an event able to showcase the trainers our region and allow the public to see what previously abandoned and neglected horses are capable of with the right training.
The event is the Appalachian Trainer Face Off. It will continue as a yearly feature event for Heart of Phoenix in the future and help change the perception of “rescue” horses in our region, while allowing more horses to find quality homes.
We will pair talented trainers with previously untrained or poorly started rescue horses to compete in a 2 day event on August 25th and 26th in Winfield, WV.
Over 100 days, trainers will work to change the future for their horse.
The competition will include a set of challenges, a trail / obstacle course and a free style performance judged by 3 industry professionals on a point system.
The hope is good trainers gain recognition and a lot of horses fine amazing homes at the end of this event.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR The FACE OFF in 2017
January 10th – April 1st, 2017:
Trainer and Youth Applications much be received no later than April 1st, 2017
April 15th, 2017:
Trainers selected based on their Applications’ merit will be invited to compete in The Appalachian Training Face Off. If you have not been contacted by April 15th, we invite you to submit an application in 2018! Space is limited, but we appreciate everyone who takes the time to apply!
May 15, 2017:
First Number Draw Date for trainers to select their rescue horses at Mulligan Farms, Lesage, WV (10 minutes from Huntington, WV). This is the newest location of Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue.
June 1st, June 15th, July 1st, July 15th, August 1st, August 15th and August 20th:
2 videos with updates are due by trainers twice a month during the 90-100 day Face Off Training portion of the event. We recommend trainers create their own Facebook training page, if they do not have one already, as Heart of Phoenix will build interest in YOUR horse for the competition through these updates and videos. You are welcome to submit more often, and they will be widely sponsored and circulated by the rescue to our many thousands of followers on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and beyond. This is your chance to market yourself as the BEST of Appalachia before the weekend competition even arrives. Use it wisely!
August 25th and 26th:
At the Winfield Show Grounds and Riding Arena
5449 WV-34, Winfield, WV 25213
This will be a Friday and Saturday event. The top half of competing trainers will move on to the Obstacle Course and Free Style Performance portion Saturday. The event closes with an awards ceremony, prizes and “Auction.” Learn more about the Auction portion and how this is a portion of the event that will allow the trainers to “earn” more than prizes and bragging rights for their participation.
Learn more today at:
https://appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com/
Visit us on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/applachiantrainerfaceoff/
