Festival of the Horse and Drum returns to St. Charles

Horses bred everywhere from Spain to North Dakota visited the Kane County Fairgrounds Saturday for the third annual Festival of the Horse and Drum.

"It's the only multicultural equestrian event in the whole country," said Lisa Diersen of St. Charles, the festival's founder. "We incorporate the Native American experience. We have Spanish horses and riders, all different kinds of fun things to do with the horses."

The event featured an array of demonstrations, educational seminars, and interactive activities.

Other styles and conventions on exhibit included Western American, Native American, Iberian, Arabian and French methods, as well as others.

Tiana Ng of Union brought horses and riders to put on a Baroque horse demo. Riders dressed in steam-punk outfits consisting of corsets, flowing skirts and top hats with goggles as their horses pranced around the ring. Even the horses were painted with steam-punk designs.

Afterward, visitors could meet riders and pat their steeds on their heads.

A new event this year was barrel racing and pole bending competition between Team U.S.A. vs. Team Mexico.

"It's something different to add to the Western show," Diersen said. "We did one last year, but this one is definitely a little more fun."

Organizers have placed a great deal of emphasis on the educational aspect of the equine industry. Along with their demonstrations, the festival includes seminars on horse therapy, breeding techniques and preservation practices.

"We have some of the area's finest riders," Diersen said. "We have classical dressage clinics - just a whole bunch of interesting submissions. There's everything here."

One of those educators is Jill McCrae, who is head of McCrae Farm in Grayslake. She will continue her educational seminar on French classical dressage Sunday.

"Our main message is how we train with kindness instead of force," McCrae said. "There are a lot of misconceptions with how we treat animals."

Many modern dressage trainers feel the need to constantly pressure their horses, both physically and mentally, into performing as the rider desires, McCrae said. But the French approach allows the horse more freedom to perform.

"The advantage is the horse is ultimately better balanced, happier and healthier," McCrae said. "We never have to see a vet for lameness issues, because my horses are never ridden in physical or mental stress, but they are challenged mentally."

McCrae has participated in the event since its creation two years ago. She said she is thankful and fortunate to be a part of the festival's evolution.

"There's something for everyone," McCrae said. "It's a great opportunity to be up close and see some amazing, high-caliber, beautifully bred horses and the best St. Charles riders. It's a unique opportunity."

The festival runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15, with reduced rates for kids.

For more information, visit festivalofthehorseanddrum.com.