Raise a stein to the equine: Day of the Horse 2021 celebrates Oktoberfest

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Riders along the Day of the Horse’s Progressive Trail Ride are escorted across streets in downtown Woodside on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Some riders are wearing costumes that reflect the “Roaring ’20s” theme of the 2020 event. The 2021 edition’s theme is Oktoberfest. Photo by Adam Pardee

Day of the Horse weekend is taking a detour to Bavaria for 2021, with Oktoberfest as the theme for three days of festivities devoted to horses and those who love them. Day of the Horse is presented by WHOA! (Woodside-area Horse Owners Association), Oct. 8-10 in and around Woodside’s town center.

The weekend kicks off with a virtual art exhibit on Friday, Oct. 8. The juried show features equestrian-themed artworks in a variety of media by artists from around the country. The show can be seen online through Nov. 8. Organizers are also hosting an in-person youth art show with works by artists age 18 and under on Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Woodside Village Church, 3154 Woodside Road, Woodside.

A horse grabs a snack at a horse stop along the trail leading through Downtown Woodside on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Photo by Adam Pardee

Then on Saturday, Oct. 9, equestrians can saddle up and pull on some lederhosen for a progressive trail ride — riders are invited to dress up in costumes that reflect this year’s Oktoberfest theme (organizers note on the Day of the Horse website that while costumes that reflect the theme are encouraged, costumes in general are welcomed). Riders can start at any point along the route, which takes place on Woodside town trails. The route includes stops at public and private horse-friendly locations. Those participating in the trail ride must register by Oct. 6.

Visitors can learn more about horses — and see the animals up close at a horse fair on Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Woodside Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside. The event includes demonstrations of blacksmithing and dressage, vaulters, and lots of horses to meet and admire.

The fair is offered largely as a drive-thru event, but young visitors will have a chance to take pony rides, pet a horse and take photos with ponies. Organizers are also offering a virtual version of the horse fair, with links to many of the exhibitors’ sites.

Not only does this celebration of horses raise awareness about their important role in Woodside’s history, but with funds raised from the Day of the Horse, WHOA! has given about $213,000 to many local equestrian projects since the event’s inception in 2005, according to the event’s website.

For more information, visit whoa94062.org.