The Festival will be held August 8-12, 2012. Stay tuned for our new exciting performances.
Most events take place at or near the Michigan Horse Council Arena located at the Borough Lot below Grand Hotel. View map.
We featured Clay Meier plus Richard Shrake during our 2011 Festival..View them on our Video page.
Events subject to change!
Due to the unpredictable nature of horses, weather and schedules some changes and/or substitutions are inevitable. Please accept our apology in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. We are sure you will find any changes to be just as exciting and informative as those originally planned. |
We are proud to announce that the Tempel Lipizzans are coming to Mackinac to perform at the 2012 Festival of the Horse! Learn more about them... |
|
DATE |
LOCATION & TIME |
DESCRIPTION |
| Wednesday, August 8, 2012 |
| Saddle Horse Parade – Featuring our own 4-H Horse Club |
Main Street
7:00 PM
Free |
Get your spot ready to enjoy Mackinac Island’s second Saddle Horse Parade! The parade will start at the East end of town; pass by Marquette Park, down Main Street and up Cadotte Avenue by the Grand Hotel! Bring your cameras – you don’t want to miss this! Mackinac Island will be showcasing the “King” the beloved horse breeds on this historic Island. Over 50 horses in 2011!
You will enjoy seeing our 4-H children walking with/on their horses, private cottagers showcasing their breed of choice and, of course, Jack's Livery Stable & Cindy’s Riding Stable, who have been providing riding opportunities on Mackinac Island for young and old alike since 1953. See their beautiful assortment of breeds and the expert guides who showcase them! Lastly enjoy watching the “Friesian Force” where the Friesian Breed was crowned the 2009 Festival of the Horse Breed of the Year!
|
| Thursday, August 9: 4-H and Youth Day |
| Pony Rides |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
All proceeds to go to 4-H tack & equipment upgrade |
|
Kid’s Day at the Borough Lot – Horsey fun/Learning Day for the whole family! |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Free |
Horsy fun for the whole family
|
|
| Performances: The Tempel Lippizans and talented local equestrians! |
TBA |
 More information on the Tempel Lippizans... |
|
Horses, Hoofbeats & Hors d’oeuvres Party
Fundraiser |
Gatehouse (owned by historic Grand Hotel)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
$40 ($5 of which supports MHA) |
Be part of our 13th Annual Mackinac Horsemen’s Association party and celebration for the Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse. A social event where equine enthusiasts from on and off island can come together and celebrate “The King." Featuring a live auction, raffles, hors d’oeuvres and pleasant company. There is a charge at the door and a cash bar.
Click to view photos from previous events. |
| Friday, August 10, 2012 |
| Horse Culture Lectures |
Grand Hotel Conference Room |
More information coming soon... |
|
| Performances: The Tempel Lippizans and talented local equestrians! |
TBA |
More information on the Tempel Lippizans... |
|
| Pony Rides |
Borough Lot
TBA |
All proceeds to go to 4-H tack & equipment upgrade |
|
| Exciting Equestrian Clinics and Demonstrations |
Borough Lot
TBA |
More information coming soon...
|
|
| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
11:00 AM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
|
 Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
|
| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
1:00 PM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
|
Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
|
| Mackinac Island Carriage Parade |
The parade will start at the east end of town, pass by Marquette Park, down Main Street and up Cadotte Avenue by the Grand Hotel.
7:00 PM
Free |
 Find your spot and get your cameras ready for an old fashioned carriage parade! Watch as local teams of all varieties and single horse carriages showcase the horse drawn carriage culture of Mackinac Island with the different types and purposes carriages and wagons are used for from utility to pleasure. |
| Saturday, August 11, 2012 |
| Pony Rides |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
All proceeds to go to 4-H tack & equipment upgrade |
|
| Consignee Displays |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Free |
Visit our "horsy" displays from our consignees! |
|
| Mackinac Horse Culture Lectures |
Grand Hotel Conference Room
TBA |
More information coming soon... |
|
| Performances: The Tempel Lippizans and talented local equestrians! |
TBA |
More information on the Tempel Lippizans... |
|
| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
11:00 AM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
|
Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
|
| Riding, Driving and Jumping Demonstrations |
Michigan Horse Council Arena
TBA |
More information coming soon... |
|
| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
1:00 PM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
|
Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
|
Mackinac Island Breed Presentation
|
Michigan Horse Council Arena
TBA |
 Learn about and see a a wide variety of horse breeds that live and work on Mackinac Island. Our announcer will give a detailed description of each breed as they individually enter the arena.
You will also have an opportunity to watch the two local cottagers performing a musical kur on Friesians to “Exodus” by Maksim. Be certain to vote with dollars in the breed buckets for your favorite breed for the coveted Grand Champion “2011” Favorite Breed of Mackinac Islands Festival of the Horse! Afterwards you’ll have an opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite breeds.
Photo above shows the 2010 "Puttin on the Ritz" show
View the 2010 Music Kur on our video page. |
Sunday, August 12, 2012 |
| Morning Island Driving Competition |
Michigan Horse Council Arena
TBA |
|
