Bouncing for Horse Welfare at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show

Family Day at the Old Salem Spring Horse Show on Saturday, May 13, featured Bouncy Horse Racing hosted by the EQUUS Foundation and sponsored by Fairfield Equine Associates. Families with children and young equestrians enjoyed truly comical races featuring blow up "bouncy horses" that wobble and test the rider's balance and endurance skills.

Without question, the champion of the day was Harper Clark with the fastest time of 15.03 seconds – racing from one end of the paddock and back. "Harper showed true champion spirit and determination — she checked back and raced multiple times to ensure her time was the fastest. She was - and she won herself a gift card for Ariat boots donated by Ariat International," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

 "It's not as easy as it looks," said Coakley. "It is a challenge just to keep the bouncy horses on course and go even a short distance — and we saw some pretty comical and untimely dismounts in the process! It's a great way to enjoy the idea of riding a horse and not take yourself too seriously!" 

Both the EQUUS Foundation and the Rider's Closet, a program of the EQUUS Foundation founded by top equestrian and EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Georgina Bloomberg, had information booths on site and the Rider's Closet trunk was on hand to accept donations of gently used or new equestrian attire to wardrobe riders in need. 

"This was a fun and engaging way to draw attention to our work for horses on a beautiful and hopeful Mother's Day weekend at this prestigious horse show venue," said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP.

"We thank Old Salem Farm, Fairfield Equine, and photographer, Geoff Tischman, as always, for supporting our work for horses."

Learn more about us at equusfoundation.org