The American Freedom Drill Team Riders from North Central Kansas return to EquiFest once again to entertain in both arenas throughout the weekend, offering a look at the many various routines they have prepared for various rodeos, festivals, and parades. This team, established in 2012, has appeared in the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant, Abilene’s Chisolm Trail Days, the Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Horse Parade, the Scott City Rodeo, the Kansas State Fair, Veterans & Military events, and various other events throughout Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. Sometimes the group can be found helping with cowboy camp or giving pony rides. This group loves riding and loves celebrating this great country, our military, and the emergency responders who work hard to protect us. God Bless America!

The First Infantry Division (1ID) Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard is a special ceremonial unit that provides community relations and ceremonial support to the First Infantry Division, Fort Riley, and the United States Army at the local, regional, and national levels. This is one of only six remaining equestrian units in the Army.

Kansas Western Horseman’s Association better known across the state as KWHA is starting its 76th year. This Association is a Family oriented association, that encourages good sportsmanship and cooperation among the riding clubs of Kansas. Friendships have been fostered and built through many generations of families in this association. KWHA welcomes all riding clubs in the state with no breed requirement, only that western gear and attire are used. There are judged, race, pair, and team events held during the local shows with riders of all ages and skill levels competing in seven different age divisions. A year end show of champions is usually held on Labor Day weekend where everyone that wants to gather and compete can. KWHA is a great way to take an entire family out to enjoy their equine partner, friends, and have some fun all at an affordable cost. Come check out KWHA during their demonstrations in the arenas and meet some of their members at their booth in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall. You can also look them up on their website www.kwhaonline.com.

Professional trick rider and Roman rider Liberty Cunningham proves you are never too young to be a legend. As gritty as she is graceful, this 14-year-old superstar combines her amazing horsemanship skills with dance to perform polished, fast-paced and dynamic acts. Audiences love watching her partner her three matching paint horses she trained. She has performed at numerous events across the country and has been a clinician at some of the most prestigious equine expos. She has traveled through over 3/4th the country to perform in front of sold-out audiences and had performances aired on The Cowboy Channel. Liberty’s performances have been described as fast, fearless, fun and flashy. Horses were not new to Liberty when she began trick riding. She is a 3rd-generation rodeo cowgirl and comes from a competitive rodeo family known for training quality horses. Liberty has ridden since she was a baby and began competing in youth rodeos at age 5. She was in the Top 20 at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in 2020 in barrel racing. She has also held several rodeo princess titles. Liberty has experience in many equine disciplines including several rodeo events, equestrian jumping and reining. Her newest equine endeavor is bridleless and liberty work. Because of her vast experience, she is a versatile and knowledgeable rider at a young age. A true horse whisperer, she develops amazing, heart-felt bonds with the horses she works with. Since Liberty’s toddler years she dreamed of being a trick rider. At age 8, she began lessons and performed her first show just a couple months later with the Pegasus Riders. Liberty expanded to Roman riding at age 10. At age 12, she became one of the youngest contract act entertainers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Since she became a trick rider, she has won several awards including being the 2021 Dusti Dickerson Youth Trick Riding Competition Champion. Performing with her friend Maddy under the name Pegasus Riders, she was the top scoring trick riding act at the International Finals Rodeo Contract Act Showcase. Liberty has differentiated herself by incorporating jumps, leaps, handstands, and acro flips atop her team of horses. Liberty developed this signature style through her dance background. She began dancing at age 3 and doing aerial at age 9. She has trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theater, acro, aerial hammock, aerial silks and lyra. She’s won several awards including being a 2021 Prestige Dance National Champion. Liberty attends public school where she is an 8th grader. She is in her school’s gifted education program and participates in Advanced Choir and theater productions. She is a Principal Aerialist for the Cirque de l’air Cascades Company in Kansas City. In her spare time she enjoys reading and playing with her dog and cat. She lives with her mom and older siblings Lakin and Lane in Louisburg, Kansas. Find out more about Liberty at www.LibertysLegend.com.

Join a representative of Kansas Horse Council on a guided tour through the Stall Barn exhibits and horses, each day!

Come and learn about Working Equitation in this educational demonstration!