Smiles will 'Dance' across your face at HEC fund-raiser

Last year marked the first ever Dancing with Horses event for the Highland Equestrian Conservancy (HEC), and it was so successful that they aren’t just having another show this year — they have decided to have two.

“We’ve decided to have two shows this year because it was so largely attended last year. We had over 500 people attend, and although we sold tickets through PayPal in advance, we got swamped,” said Jan Nastovski, a board member of the HEC, which works to conserve and protect the natural resources of Highland Township. “We had to turn about 50 people away because there wasn’t enough room.”

Audiences will have the choice between a noon show and a 3 p.m. one to witness a dazzling display of riding disciplines, including vaulting, dressage, barrel racing, trick horses, reining, jumping, and a mounted drill team on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Hoffman Farms Indoor Arena.

According to Karen Rach, the producer of the show, the performers are made up of riders from stables and barns located around the area.

“It’s a great opportunity for Michigan equestrians to both advertise their business and to showcase what they are doing,” she said. “And at the same time, the audience enjoys watching the show.”

Rach was approached to help the HEC last year with its new fund-raiser after a few HEC members had seen previous shows she had produced.

“We were very impressed with the shows that we attended,” Nastovski said. “And we had gotten to the point with our barn tour where we had already used the best of the best barns in the area. We decided we needed a new fund-raiser, and we just happened to think of Karen’s show and how beautiful it was.”

You don’t have to be a horse expert to enjoy the fun family event.

“If you’re not familiar with various riding disciplines, horse shows could become boring. But this show is set to upbeat music,” Nastovski said. “There are 18 acts — each a couple minutes long. So there’s always something new going on so people won’t get bored with it. There’s a constant changing of acts.”

Added Rach, “There is never a dull moment. Everyone will have a good time watching. The music features anything from current hits on the radio to classic rock from the 1950s.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance at highlandequestrians.org/tickets. Tickets for adults are $10, while children under 10 get in for $5. If available, tickets at the door are $12.

For more information, call 248-684-6895 or 248-889-7328.

“We had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback last year,” Nastovski said. “Everyone had smiles on their faces. And with the economy the way it is, it makes it hard for a family to go out and enjoy an event. Not only is this event family-friendly, it’s not a budget buster.”

“I think the show is a great concept in many ways,” Rach said. “It’s a fund-raiser for a good organization, and it’s Michigan talent providing Michigan entertainment. Everyone wins.”