National Museum of the American Indian Teams Up with International Horse Show

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

Saturday, October 29

WASHINGTON - The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian and the Washington International Horse Show announce a new partnership to celebrate horses in Native American culture and equestrian sport throughout history.

The museum opens "A Song for the Horse Nation" Saturday, October 29 at its flagship museum on the National Mall, a major exhibition that explores the role horses have played in Native culture from the 1500s to the present. The exhibition runs through Jan. 7, 2013.

The Washington International Horse Show celebrates its 53rd year October 25-30 at the Verizon Center. Together, the two organizations will celebrate these occasions with free family programs on Saturday, October 29, at the museum, 10 am to 4 pm and at the Verizon Center, 10 am to 2 pm, and all day Sunday, October 30, at the museum. A free shuttle service between the museum and the Verizon Center will be provided by Reston Limousine on Saturday.

"The Washington International Horse Show is honored to partner with the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, two great Washington institutions coming together to celebrate horses and equestrian sport," said Bridget Love Meehan, executive director, Washington International Horse Show. "Aligning our organization with one of the world's most recognized cultural institutions allows the Washington International Horse Show to share the drama, beauty and athleticism of world-class equestrian sport with millions of people worldwide and honor the significance of the horse throughout our nation's history."

"What better way for us to come together to illuminate our shared history and distinct cultures than through our mutual admiration for horses," said museum director, Kevin Gover, Pawnee. "This unique collaboration celebrates the indomitable spirit not just of the Horse Nation, but of the whole nation. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Washington International Horse Show and know that the spectators at the Verizon Center and the visitors to the museum will be, too."

Activities include free pony rides at the Verizon Center October 29 for WIHS Kids' Day, war-pony painting demonstrations by Crow equestrian and tribal general council member Kennard Real Bird, storytelling by award-winning children's book author and illustrator S.D. Nelson, Standing Rock Sioux, hands-on ledger-art lessons and much more at both locations.

The DC Mounted Police and Real Bird will present the US and Crow Nation colors on horseback Saturday at 3 pm on the museum's Outdoor Welcome Plaza, while singer KJ Jacks, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, performs the US national anthem. Real Bird will also participate in the opening procession of the Washington International Horse Show Friday evening, October 28, at the Verizon Center.

posted August 31, 2011 9:10 am edt