Drake Johnson to perform at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrians and are making their first appearance in the United States. The games, administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), have been held every four years, halfway between the Summer Olympic Games, since 1990. Prior to that year, all ten of the FEI’s individual disciplines held separate championships, usually in different countries. The World Equestrian Games showcases many of the world's top riders and most skilled horses, who compete over 16 days. Riders competing at WEG go through a rigorous selection process during the 4 years preceding each competition. Each participating country sends teams composed of the very best equestrians in their discipline with 57 countries represented by 800 athletes. The games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY September 25 – October 10.
One of the eight international disciplines spotlighted at the games is reining, which is commonly referred to as the western version of dressage. The maneuvers performed in a reining pattern are change of leads, sliding stops, spins, and rollbacks which should all be executed with little visible effort from the rider and without resistance from the horse. Drake Johnson of Wray, CO is one of the National Reining Horse Association professionals who have been invited to perform in the Freestyle Reining Exhibition that will take place at the Games on September 30th, 6:00 pm. Freestyle reining allows the rider to arrange the maneuvers in a pattern of their own design set to music. Drake will perform aboard Hickory Chic Aholic “Hooch”, a five year old American Quarter Horse gelding, owned by Jennifer Blount of Dalton, GA. Drake and Hooch will increase the level of difficulty by performing without a bridle.
Drake has over 20 years of experience as a successful trainer with multiple World, National, and Futurity Championships at such prestigious events as the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, the USET Festival Champions, and the Appaloosa World and National Show to his credit. A multiple NRHA Futurity and Derby Finalist and USET Top 50 rider, Drake is best known for his bridle less freestyle performances. In addition to competing, Drake has coached both amateur and youth to national and world titles and is both a National Reining Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Association Specialized judge.
In addition to the 600,000 spectators expected on-site at the World Equestrian Games, millions more will have the opportunity to watch on NBC Sports, September 26 at 12 p.m. EST, October 3 at 1 p.m. EST, and October 10 at 4 p.m. EST.
February 21-27 2011 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show AZ
March 23-27 Gold Rush Circuit RMRHA Denver, CO
April 1-3 WCRHA Rancho Murieta, CA
April 14-17 Drough Buster NRCHA McCook, NE
April 28-May 1 Big Red Challenge CPRHA Lincoln, NE
May 13-15 Appaloosa Show Longmont, CO
May 28-30 Platte Valley Classic CPRHA Broken Bow, NE
June 17-19 Eastern Slope Slide Castlerock, CO
June 24-26 Firecracker Special Cowhorse Castlerock, CO
July 15-17 RHANW Lake Moses, UT
July 27-31 Summer Slide RMRHA Denver, CO
August 5-9 AQHYA World Show, Oklahoma City, OK
August 11-14 Sagebrush Slide Pueblo, CO
August 18-21 Great Plains Futurity and Derby CPRHA Lincoln, NE
September 2-5 NRCHA & NRHA State Fair Pueblo, CO
