Arabian horses newest feature at Danada Fall Festival

Horses are always the star attraction during the annual Danada Fall Festival in Wheaton, and this year will be no different.

But when this year's party starts at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Danada Equestrian Center along Naperville Road, it will feature a breed of horses new to the show — Arabians.

They'll join the usual lineup of equestrian events, food, music, hayrides, pony rides, stable tours, pumpkin painting and an art show.

“It's kind of exciting for us to introduce a new breed to the community,” said Michelle Dobosz, equestrian program coordinator at the Danada Equestrian Center.

The stately horses will be traveling from Maple Park and Wisconsin, she said.

A popular breed worldwide, Dobosz said the Arabians will be one of several horse breeds strutting their stuff during the 12:45 p.m. parade of breeds.

The day's events include a variety of equestrian spectacles, from jumping to dressage to daredevil trick riding.

Another new demonstration this year will be saddle seat and sidesaddle riding, Dobosz said.

The Midwest Renegades Equestrian Drill Team from Woodstock kicks things off with an 11 a.m. patriotic drill, returning at noon for a vaulting demonstration.

“They jump off horses and hop back on, they hang off the side,” said Dobosz. “I applaud them for their bravery.”

In the interim, visitors will see dressage and jumping demonstrations.

The parade, preceded by a carriage driving demonstration, will be followed at 1:15 p.m. with an Arabian horse versatility demonstration. The Midwest Renegades return at 2:30 p.m. with a drill.

At 2:45 p.m., a group from the Winfield-based Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities will enter the arena. The group also will demonstrate its riding prowess in morning and afternoon sessions in the round pen near the Danada House.

The nonprofit organization teaches people with special needs adaptive riding techniques that help develop self-confidence and self-esteem, said Nancy Winkelman, FTEA program director.

“Riders that we feature (at the fall festival) are all participants in our program. It gives them an opportunity to put the riding skills they have worked hard to achieve on display,” she said.

Winkelman said horses and riders often form a mutual trust that is healing.

“Many times, it is the human-animal bond that is a part of it,” Winkelman.

Winkelman said FTEA serves people with a wide range of disabilities and children as young as 3 years old.

“This is very much where every one of our program participants is looked at as an individual,” she said.

Other afternoon festival events include more jumping and trick riding and a performance by the Danada Drill Team.

“Our resident horses are involved with our drill team, along with a group of volunteers,” Dobosz said.

Nick, a horse that paints pictures, will be demonstrating his artistic capabilities in the Kentucky barn, said Wayne Zaininger, equestrian center manager.

“Nick is one of our own. He's actually a draft horse, a carriage horse from Mackinac Island. He works for a lot of our camps all summer long,” said Zaininger.

Friends of Danada will present a nature art and photo show in Danada House.

A bit of Wild West theatrics close out the day with a 4:30 p.m. mounted shooting demonstration by the Northern Illinois Outlaws.

Dobosz said the group doesn't use real ammunition, but rather theatrical blanks with no bullets.

“They shoot things through hoops, they shoot balloons, there's a lot of pyrotechnics,” she said.

Danada Fall Festival

<b>Where:</b> Danada Equestrian Center, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton

<b>When:</b> 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

<b>Cost:</b> Free

<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.dupageforest.org">dupageforest.org</a> and (630) 668-6012