EQUITANA USA, “The World’s Fair of Equestrian Sports,” hosted 53,234 horse lovers from across the country and abroad at its fifth annual North American show June 15-18 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“This year’s attendance represents an eight percent increase over 1999, which itself showed a 10 percent increase over the previous year,” said Lisa Kiser, Marketing Manager. “We’re very pleased with the turnout, and with what many people said was our best show ever.”

Darel Cook, Show Director, was thrilled with the show’s popularity. “We implemented some new features as a result of input from our visitors and the industry,” he said, “and it turned out very well. The concerts that we added to The Mane Event, the Educational Conference certificate program, the Marketing Luncheon with John Lyons, the breed incentive program, the Job Fair—these things made this year’s show more interesting and well rounded than ever.”

Highlights of the show included a zebra liberty act touring on its way to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus; the Rare Breeds exhibit; the Budweiser Clydesdales; and daytime presentations by La Tierra Paso Finos, presenting sponsor of The Mane Event. The Mane Event included popular and exciting acts such as the Kamarov Cossack riders, Hollywood stuntmen, Foxfield Equestrian Team’s saddle-less and bridle-less jumping drill team, and others. Concerts by America, Mark Wills and Tanya Tucker rounded out the evening on Thursday, Friday and Satur daynights, respectively