The Pony Up! festival is being held at the United States Equestrian Headquarters in Pepack-Gladstone on June 18.
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE - Breyer, a maker of horse toys for children, is holding its first Pony Up! festival at the United States Equestrian Headquarters on June 18.
Pony Up! is a 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 activities such as Stablemates' paint-your-own-model-horses and play tables, according to a news release.
"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."
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.
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 collectability, 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, according to the news release.
Admission of $10 includes all activities with every child ticketholder age 17 and under receiving a free Breyer Classics scale model horse. Advanced tickets to Pony Up! are being sold online.
Local barns will be on site with information about riding lessons and children's programs and where to find local stables in the area.
Breyer Animal Creations has been creating authentic and realistic model horses for play and collecting for more than 65 years. Its portrait models of horse heroes and animals include Secretariat, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, RinTinTin, and Lassie.
Breyer is a division of Reeves International, a family-owned toy manufacturer and distributor based in Pequannock.
For more equine-related news, visit nj.com/horsenews.