We had a fantastic time  in Washington, DC at the National Museum of the American Indian June 20-23, 2012!  We were asked by our tribe, Choctaw Nation of OK to participate at this year's Choctaw Days with hosting Choctaw Horse educational booth and horse exhibit on the Mall.  Our exhibit was directly across the street from the museum on Sat., June 23rd.

 

 

Dr. Robert Kraybill & family of Cumberland Valley Equine Service brought their mares (our former girls!), Windrider's Shalontaki "Cricket" & Windrider's Chahta Chunkash "Choctaw Heart" who goes by "Kashi" to Choctaw Days at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, DC on Sat., June 23, 2012.

 

The Kraybills purchased Cricket and Kashi from us back in 2009 and are now avid Choctaw Horse conservationists.  We thank them and their trainer, Lana Salisbury who showcased the horses beautifully and educated folks all day about Choctaw Horses and their wonderful attributes.  Great job, Lana!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yakoke to Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for inviting us and to National Museum of the American Indian for making this happen!  The major exhibit ongoing at the museum, Song for the Horse Nation, was a must see and we decorated Cricket and Kashi to complement that featured part of Choctaw Days.

 

Both mares were wonderful about having paint applied.  Preston Kraybill as well as Lotta & Lina Nilsson did a great job painting the mares with symbols to give the horses speed of foot, ability to see danger and to give them special abilities.

 

Kids that came by were given a coloring activity to do there or take home that explained the symbols and what they meant as well as a picture of a Chahta Isuba (Choctaw Horse) to decorate how they wanted.  The children all seemed to enjoy that.  We all celebrated Choctaw culture, enjoyed Choctaw Horses and had a great day!

 

 

 

 

Pictures from our participation at Choctaw Nation of OK Annual Labor Day Festival, 2011.  Our booths for Choctaw Horse education & promotion of the conservation effort along with horse demonstrations courtesy of our registry, Southwest Spanish Mustang Assocation (SSMA) were a HUGE success!

 

Many attendees enjoyed riding the Choctaw horses, learning about their long connection to the Choctaw people as well as seeing how versatile these horses are.  Yakoke (thank you in Choctaw) to the many conservation families who helped along with tribal members and administration for your support and help to make this festival the best yet!

 

Photos from Windrider Farm, Choctaw Nation of OK, Cathie Stephens Wilson & Francine Locke Bray