Westernaires Horsecapades Show
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Looking for something memorable to do in Denver this October?
Spend an afternoon or evening experiencing one of Colorado’s most distinctive youth horsemanship traditions at the Westernaires Horsecapades Show, October 17–18 at the National Western Events Center.
Westernaires has been part of Colorado since 1949 and today serves approximately 1,000 young people each year, making it the largest centralized youth horsemanship and precision drill riding organization in the world. Every one of our members is aged 9 to 19 years of age.
Horsecapades is the organization’s annual fundraising spectacular and one of the best opportunities for visitors and local residents alike to experience Westernaires at full scale.
Across approximately 20 acts, hundreds of young riders demonstrate precision horsemanship, specialty riding skills, teamwork, athleticism, and years of training. Audiences can expect trick riding by the Freedom Riders, chariot performances rarely seen in modern equestrian entertainment, elaborate costumes, flags, music and arena lighting, and the world-famous Varsity Big Red Team performing its spectacular Firelight Finale in LED-lit costumes.
One of the signature moments brings approximately 300 horses and riders into the arena together — an extraordinary display of horsemanship, coordination, color, and movement.
Westernaires is much more than a performance organization. Since 1949, its mission has been to develop young people of character through horsemanship and family participation, fostering self-respect, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership while carrying forward the best traditions of the West.
Most of our young member riders do not own horses themselves. Westernaires maintains a rental herd of approximately 200 horses, ponies, and draft animals, helping make horsemanship fun and accessible to young people from a broad range of backgrounds.
Horsecapades is a big production. But sometimes its impact is wonderfully simple:
“Our family truly enjoyed the event and enjoyed the family time!”
— Shawn, U.S. Army Veteran
3 Performances:
Saturday, Oct. 17
10:30 AM Preshow | 11:00 AM Horsecapades Grand Entry
3:30 PM Preshow | 4:00 PM Horsecapades Grand Entry
Sunday, Oct. 18
1:30 PM Preshow | 2:00 PM Horsecapades Grand Entry
Come early—the show starts before the show. Preshow entertainment begins 30 minutes before every performance.
General Admission is $15 for anyone needing a seat; lap children do not require a ticket. Seating is general admission, so guests are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Whether you're a lifelong Colorado resident or visiting Denver for the weekend, come experience a side of Colorado that can't be replicated on a screen.
Tickets:
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.