Horse Breeds at the Minnesota Horse Expo

Contact Darrell Mead at 612-860-4645 for info about breed representation.
Horse Breeds Coming to 2026 MN Horse Expo
Watch as we add horse breeds

Parade of Breeds
Coliseum Arena
9:00am - 10:00am
Noon - 1:00pm
All three days of Expo

American Cream Draft
American Paint Horse
American Quarter Horse
Andalusian & Andalusian Cross
Arabian
Azteca
Belgian
Dutch Warmblood
Donkeys
Drum Horse
Friesian Blood Horse
Friesian Purebred Group
Friesian Sport Horse
Gypsy
Gypsy Vanner
Icelandic
Miniature
Nokota Horse
Norwegian Fjord
Paso Fino
Peruvian Horse
Pinto
Pony of America
Shetland
Shire
Standardbred
Tennessee Walking Horse

Stallion Presentations
Compeer Arena
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Friday and Saturday

2:00 Andalusian
2:06 Foundation Quarter Horse
2:18 Friesian Sport Horse
2:24 Quarter Horse
2:36 Nokota
2:42 Appaloosa

Horse Barn Ring
Breed Presentations

10:30 Paso Fino
11:00 Icelandic
11:30 Peruvian
1:00 Drum Horse
1:30 Nokota
3:00 Arabian (Sunday 2:00)
4:00 Norwegian Fjord

Afternoon Breed Demonstration
Coliseum Arena
4:30pm - 6:00pm
Friday and Saturday

4:30 American Cream Draft
4:32 American Paint Horse
4:35 American Quarter Horse
4:40 Andalusian
4:43 Arabian
4:48 Belgian
4:51 Donkeys
4:54 Drum Horse
4:56 Friesian
5:02 Icelandic
5:14 Gypsy
5:16 Gypsy Vanner
5:21 Nokota Horse
5:25 Norwegian Fjord
5:32 Paso Fino
5:35 Peruvian Horse
5:45 Pinto/Pony of America
5:48 Shetland
5:50 Shire
5:52 Standardbred
5:56 Tennessee Walker

The Drum Horse is a powerful yet elegant draft horse, bred from Shire, Clydesdale and
Gypsy Horse lineage. Originally developed to carry heavy silver kettle drums in the British
Royal cavalry, these horses are known for their steady temperament, impressive strength
and surprising agility — making them as trainable and versatile as they are majestic. We
extend our appreciation to the riders and caretakers who work to preserve and promote
this remarkable breed. To learn more about the Drum Horse and the Breed registry, we invite
you to visit us at our booth S205 or see us online at https://www.drumhorsebreedregistry.com

Peruvian Horse

See purebred Peruvian Horses and learn all about the history and traditions of the breed.
Check out that famous smooth "Cadillac Ride" at the Minnesota Horse Expo.

A vital partner in survival in the Land of Fire and Ice, the Icelandic horse is tough, versatile,
smooth, and incredibly friendly. The Vikings brought their best horses to Iceland in longboats
in the 800s A.D., and the Icelandic horse has remained genetically pure for over 1200 years.
Shaped by their brutal natural environment, Icelandic horses are powerful enough to swim the
rivers and scale the mountains of Iceland and they face the challenges of their environment
with confidence and intelligence. They retain the very best qualities of their ancestors and can
carry adult riders for many miles. Icelandic horses are either four or five gaited and their
smooth and powerful Tolt is truly unique in the world of gaited horses.

The Icelandic horse is becoming more popular in the U.S. in part due to its spirited but
unusually kind temperament. Icelandic breeders have long demanded that their horses
demonstrate impressive speed and stamina, but courage and cooperation are also highly
valued character traits carefully bred for generations. They are the ultimate riding horse
and have achieved regional and even national rankings in many sports including endurance
riding, dressage, mounted patrol, cattle work and search and rescue. Toppur Icelandic Horse
Club invites you to attend our various performances at the Minnesota Horse Expo this weekend
and hopes you’ll visit us in the horse barn to talk with our team and meet our wonderful
equine partners up close and in person.

Meet Tess, a registered Brabant Draft
She is 13 years old, 16.3 hands and weighs 1,650 lbs

The Brabant, or European Belgian Draft, is an ancient breed originating in the
Brabant region of Belgium Netherlands and dating back to Roman times (54 BCE).
Known as the "most willing and untiring workers," they descend from heavy Forest horses
and are considered the foundation of most modern draft breeds. Renowned for their immense strength and calm temperament, they were historically used for farming, warfare, and post-WWII, selectively bred for a heavier, more compact build. While the American Belgian was bred to be taller and lighter, the European Brabant was preserved as a heavier, more compact and thicker-bodied, draft horse.

This breed commonly comes in bay, chestnut, black and various shades of roans.
True grays are rare.

Brabants are commonly found in amish farming communities, logging industries and the
show world. With their history of power and ability to have extraordinary stamina for heavy pulling, it makes them an ideal work horse.

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Think Paso Finos are only about the “fine step”? Think again. This 30-minute
session explores the Paso Fino as a practical, versatile and mainstream gaited option for
today’s rider. From trail riding to competitive events like pole bending, endurance and even
liberty work, Paso Finos blend beautifully alongside other gaited breeds. They offer energy
and athleticism for speed-focused young riders, yet their naturally smooth gait provides a comfortable ride for those who simply want to float down the trail — making them suitable
for riders of every age. Averaging around 14 hands and typically ranging from 13 to 15.2
hands, they are found in virtually every color and most patterns. The Paso Fino is a
versatile partner everyone can enjoy.

Profile: Pura Raza Española
Breed: Pura Raza Española
Group: Warm-blooded horses
Height at the withers: 14-16 Hands
Appearance: very elegant head, lush mane, slightly curved neck, slender and muscular physique
Color of coat: predominantly white – also dun-colored, brown and black but no dappled horses
Character: Docile, Brave, intelligent, spirited but well-balanced and the most noble of all horses
Gait: energetic, rhythmic and flexible
Origin: Spain
Prevalence: worldwide
Suited for: Ranch work & dressage

Bonachona Bio:

Bonachona (bone-ah-cho-nah) is a beautiful PRE (Purebred Spanish Horse) from the Andalucía Region of Spain. Her trainer, Jaime, describes her as expressive, elegant, with a feisty yet noble character. She has a powerful walk that seems to march forward, seeking the dawn with energy
and bravery, a trot that extends with grace and a fluid and bold gallop. Bonachona’s ntelligence makes her a fast learner, which is not surprising given her exemplary pedigree.

Bonachona’s illustrious bloodlines hail from one of the most renowned bloodlines in Spain through her sire, Fer Bonachon’s line. He is the four time world champion (2018, 2019, 2021, & 2024) and
is considered the “King of SICAB”, surpassing his sire, Fer Bago. Bonachona’s paternal grandsire
Fer Bago held the world champion title for 2010 and 2012. The Fer bloodline comes from the Ferrero breeding farm that is now extinct. Fer Bago’s dam Fer Peseta, was the most esteemed broodmare from the Ferrero farm.

Bonachon’s dam bloodlines are equally prestigious, coming from the Spanish Military stud farm.
Her dam’s sire won many awards for being a top producer of foals; especially producing beautiful movers! This movement has clearly been passed down to Bonachona and is showcased every time you watch her under saddle or frolicking in the field.

Keeping in mind Bonachona’s beauty, her intelligence, ‘nobleza’ and grand movements everyone agrees she has a bright future and will be a credit to her breed; the Purebred Spanish Horse. Her owners, Drew and Sondra Stillwell of Beulah Land Farms are grateful to have found such a gem in this stunning filly, Bonachona.

Wave Runner's Artistic Expression (Sue) is a two-year-old Chincoteague pony mare. Both of her
parents made the famous swim and were sold as weanlings at the annual Pony Penning auction.
Sue was born in Ohio and moved to Minnesota Fall of 2023, she has been shown in-hand at pony
shows and a Pinto show. She is a very social pony who enjoys meeting new people. Be sure to stop
by our stall to meet her and to learn more about the Chincoteague Pony breed!

Lovely Lady May is a 29 year old Belgian mare with work horse background of 20+ years in the field pulling plows. Now she enjoys the retired life of trail riding. She is 90% blind in her right eye so relies a lot on voice commands or a buddy on that side. She doesn't like any treats and we feel like we have tried everything!

Big Pete is a 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding and former racehorse. Bred in Kentucky, Pete began his racing career at the age of 2 as a turf sprinter and retired at the end of Canterbury Park's 2024 season. Throughout his career, he competed in 38 races across 9 different tracks in 6 states, earning $40,000.

Pete has a charming personality, with a love for cuddles and rolling in the mud. He is currently training for hunter jumpers and is enthusiastic about learning to jump, showing great promise in his second career as a show horse. He has been accepted to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky, showcasing his talents in both show hunters and dressage. The RRP's Thoroughbred Makeover challenge is a unique competition where all participating horses have raced within the past year and are transitioning from being racehorses to sport horses competing in new disciplines.

Devoted To You, fondly known as Vito, is a 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding and seasoned racehorse. Raised in Minnesota, Vito began his racing career at the age of 2 and retired after Canterbury's 2024 season. Specializing in middle distance races, Vito excelled in 10 furlong races, competing in 40 races across 11 different tracks in 9 states, and earning a total of $128,000.

Vito has a special affinity for children and enjoys trail rides. He is currently training for hunter jumpers and is thriving in his new discipline. Vito has an outstanding work ethic and is eager to learn. Vito, along with his barn mate Big Pete, will compete in the RRP Makeover challenge in Lexington, Kentucky, where he will showcase his versatility by competing in both competitive trail and show hunters.

"Pumpkin", is a 5 year old American Cream Draft Horse. The American Creams are the only Draft Horse to be developed in the US, out of Iowa. She is roughly 16 hands and about 1800 lbs full of pure power, lots of love and very gentle natured. She loves all the attention she can get. Not to be confused with palominos or other light color breeds, Pumpkin's color is considered gold champagne with amber eyes. As the American Creams are on the endangered species list, Pumpkin is one of 400 pure breds in the world today. Come meet Pumpkin in person to appreciate her beauty, strength and personality.

Aka Spox is a spirited bay pacing mare born in 2017 in Grinnell, Iowa. Retired in 2022 after 77 starts. 8 wins, 7 seconds, 11 thirds and $41,000 made. Life time mark of 1:53.2 After Fox was retired, she was entered into a program called Racehorse Reimagined in River Falls, Wisconsin. Her trainer, Izzy Bukovich, fell in love with her and adopted her from the program and the rest is history! Spox is currently schooling and showing lower-level dressage as her second career. Her favorite things include treats of all varieties, mud and spending time with her human.

Caress of Steel

Born in 2008 in Edmonton, Alberta. Steel is a bay pacing gelding with a heart of gold. Steel raced in Canada, Chicago, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin. He raced 185 times, 46 wins, 27 seconds, 23 thirds and over a $170,000 made in his racing career. Lifetime mark of 1:53.2

Patty Strand retired him in 2019 after he won his last race at Rice Lake at the Barron County fair. He is in his second career of equine therapy. He also goes to schools, parades and nursing homes, on top of his main job doing therapy at Hoof Beat therapeutic healing center in Menomonie, WI where he lives.

Favorite treats he loves to Eat! He likes German horse muffins, carrots and apples.