Aiken, South Carolina (January 6, 2020) Horse Haven Montana, the equine rescue, adoption and education organization that established the EQUUS INTERNATIONAL Film Festival to advance its mission of “Education and understanding to enhance the equine-human bond and improve the well-being of the horse,” joins a groundbreaking new format in equestrian conferences, The HeART of the Horse, April 23-26, in Aiken, SC, in partnership with Aiken Center for the Arts.
According to L.A. Sokolowski, media advisor to Horse Haven, “This is an exceptional partnership between an adoption and education group, an international film festival, and a renowned arts center. Three nonprofits are sharing in one mission, to reach new audiences and hearts through the arts, including painting, film and photography, from one of the great horse capitals of America.”
Janet Rose, founder and director of Horse Haven Montana and newly-appointed Director of Development and Communications for the Montana Center for Horsemanship (offering the nation’s only four-year degree in natural horsemanship), said, “We must bring together, and offer platforms for, all viewpoints in our horse industries and related fields. Bringing organizations together around a common interest is a great way to start making a world that is better for horses and people.”
The HeART of the Horse, April 23-26 in Aiken, SC, promises award-winning films from EQUUS INTERNATIONAL, along with international filmmakers and new works in progress; dynamic panel discussions on issues ranging from how horses help people heal (including therapeutic riding, natural horsemanship, and veterans programs) to equine performance, wild horses, and adoption challenges.
The goal of the conference, says Caroline Gwinn, executive director of Aiken Center for the Arts, is inspiration: “What we see, hear, watch and ultimately feel, through the art in our community is what inspires action, change, understanding and awareness. In this case, our focus and theme is the horse.
“This is just the beginning,” the Horse Haven director says. “The Montana Center for Horsemanship will also host a major international conference in Dillon in September, featuring award-winning films from EQUUS INTERNATIONAL and Dr. Temple Grandin as keynote speaker, as well as South Carolina native Dr. Barbara Baker, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo and a national barrel racing champion who applies natural horsemanship to help manage exotic wildlife.”
For information or to sponsor, please contact Janet Rose, Horse Haven Montana Director, info@horsehavenmt.org or janet.rose@williamkriegelfoundation.org, (406) 925-3270 or (406) 880-0683.
Horse Haven Montana, the Montana Center for Horsemanship and Aiken Center for the Arts are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. All donations and sponsorships are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.