NEW! My Equine Affaire Moment Contest

ARE YOU READY TO MEET THE 2026 MY EQUINE AFFAIRE MOMENT WINNER?

We asked you all to submit stories about a way in which Equine Affaire has impacted your life — and once again, we were absolutely blown away by the response. Your stories covered a wide range of meaningful moments, from sharing special adoption stories to detailing how the Ride With a Pro program impacted your journey with horses and so much more. We’re so grateful to each and every one of you for sharing your experiences with us, and we treasure your experiences because learning about them has enriched our lives as your production staff and taught us just how important Equine Affaire is to so many people.

Although we wished we could award everyone with the grand prize, we knew we had to choose just one winner. After narrowing the entries to the top eight, we’re pleased to announce the winner of the 2026 My Equine Affaire Moment contest is Beka Setzer! Congratulations, Beka!

Before we share the winning full story and photos with you below, we also wanted to recognize our other top finalists: Brooke L., Rebecca L., Terri K., Carmen H., Hailey F., Katelyn S., and Emma A.

And now, without further ado, please enjoy reading Beka’s story below and check out some of her photos:

BEKA’S STORY:

When most people think of their time spent at “The Nation’s Premier Equine Exposition and Equestrian Gathering,” I presume they reflect on meaningful, educational clinics by some of the world’s most renowned trainers, watching breed demonstrations on horses they may otherwise never get to see in person, striking the perfect bargain on a piece of tack they’ve been holding out on, spending time with their horse crazy friends and family and meeting new like-minded people in an atmosphere encompassed by incredible representations of the God-given gift of Equids.  

For me though, it’s entirely different…. Every time I hear “Equine Affaire,” I am taken back to that fateful day in 2010 when I shared the experience of a lifetime with my very best friend, Stormy the Blind Horse. The very first completely blind horse to ever compete in Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. Without him, my life with horses would not be the same.   

Many know me now as “a Mustang person,” and although I remember attending my very first BLM Mustang Adoption event with my mother while I was still in middle school, I never would have known how much of a connection you could get with a horse, let alone a wild one, had it not been for Stormy educating me for the majority of my life. I likely would’ve admired the Mustang breed from afar without ever seeking out “that bond.” I owe my life’s experiences and the direction it has taken me to this very horse. This one in a million, never replaceable, remarkable and most trusting horse.    

Here is our story, written so eloquently by my mother. This is the first time I have read it since my initial read through at the soul-crushing time of his passing in 2018. If you read it to the end, I’m sure you can imagine how much of an impact the Ohio Equine Affaire will always have in my life:

I realize this is more like a novel, but my memories of Stormy and Beka are those of her mother. They are so much more than just a simple message of sorrow.

Twenty years ago this past May, I made a decision that changed our family’s lives forever. My oldest daughter was turning 8. I wanted her birthday to be very special and began to search for that perfect gift. I didn’t go to stores, I traveled from farm to farm. Searching for that perfect surprise. I found it, just about five miles away. A gangly, homely looking, three year old leopard Appaloosa gelding. I wavered a bit in my decision, his owner discouraging me from purchasing such a young horse for a young rider. Nevertheless, something made me determined to insist my decision was the right one. Money exchanged hands with the agreement that the horse would stay there until her birthday. Days later, Jeff and I are in the car with our daughter, Beka, heading out for “ice cream” to celebrate her birthday.  Instead, we pulled into a driveway, Beka hopping out, bouncing from foot to foot, anticipating what she had dreamed of for some time, hoping against hope that it might actually be happening, a horse of her own. Nothing had been said but momentarily a man came walking out leading the “most beautiful horse in the world” and a tearful little girl’s greatest dream came true. I’m sure no horse had ever realized the impact they would make on a life, on lives of so many people from that moment on. We could never have known the impact this moment would make or the change our lives would experience through the future.  

Moments later, Beka sat high atop this young gelding, her hands on the reins, taking her first ride through their back yard, the biggest smile possible through the tears of joy on her face. Within moments, she was rising from the ground, wiping the dirt from her knees asking for a bandaid and help getting back on, undeterred by her mishap. A bond was formed in those first few moments. A bond none of us would ever imagine could become so intense and lifelong. A short while later, more tears as she had to say goodbye until arrangements could be made to have this birthday surprise delivered to our home. Such a deliriously happy little girl traveling home with us in the back seat that day, trying out name after name for her new best friend. 

Soon, Beka’s new horse arrived. In no time, the used saddle we had purchased sat upon his back and she was off and riding all over. She was so excited. Still unsure of a name, the two of them spent hours upon hours together. Not all was perfect however. Both were determined to have their own way and a horse’s will and a young girl’s will clashed many times. Tears fell as “Stormy” decided that they went where he wanted, not where Beka would direct. Days upon days of riding before she was able to effectively accomplish her goals and they began to adjust to each other. Beka spent every free moment with Stormy, her new best friend. A neighbor owned a riding stable and after speaking with him, Beka was allowed to “work” at the stable. She would be there by eight every morning, cleaning stalls, feeding and watering horses, doing anything she could to help out. She began to go along on the trail rides they took, acting as a “Junior Wrangler” as she accompanied the customers and guides on her horse, Stormy. Tips that kind customers gave her for her efforts went towards anything she wanted for Stormy. She was living every young, horse loving little girl’s dream. She developed a work ethic there at the stables that continues with her to this day. Up early, hard at work all day, dealing with customers and caring for the many horses at the stable. At dusk or later she’d head home on Stormy, tired, dirty, smelly and exhausted. Some days she’d come home, put Stormy away, shower and head straight to bed. Other days, she’d be so late, Jeff and I would get in the car and drive down the road to meet Stormy, walking home from the riding stable, Beka on his back, drooped either over his shoulders or laying back with her head on his rump, sound asleep as Stormy carried her carefully toward home. They were inseparable. That fall, when school started, was very difficult for Beka. She’d be leaning over the fence in the morning, talking to and petting Stormy while waiting for the school bus to arrive and climbing through the fence each afternoon after running from the bus, to greet Stormy upon her return. Their bond just grew and grew. They became inseparable and she grew a bit cocky with her riding skills and abilities. It was hard to watch her at times knowing she needed to realize that she was still learning, that they both were still learning and that she didn’t know as much as she thought. As a parent, you don’t want your child to be hurt, but I knew she needed to come off. She needed to step back and realize she still had much to learn, to gain a respect for this horse that she had yet to earn. Then it happened. She came off, hard, and it scared her, a lot. She wouldn’t get back on. No amount of coaxing, pleading or insisting worked. She was scared. After about three weeks of watching her suffer as I knew she loved that horse, cared for his needs but refused to climb aboard, I gave her an ultimatum. Get on the horse or he would be gone. She believed me, though it really hurt me to say it even knowing I would never go through with it. It worked though, she climbed on, squeezed his sides and they rode down the driveway and returned, Beka with a huge grin on her face and the comment that everything was good, she didn’t know why she was ever afraid to get back on. The relief was overwhelming and I was so glad they were back on track. 

The following year, Beka was able to join the county 4H program with Stormy and they began their adventures together in the horse show ring. Beka was determined to try every aspect of showing horses. She competed in every single class offered, many times having no idea what was expected of them and many times not able to accomplish it. That didn’t deter her though. It didn’t matter to her whether she exited the ring with a ribbon or not. She was competing with her best friend, they were together and she was doing what she loved. She never shed a tear over her failures but became more determined to improve. She searched out other more experienced riders and watched them, asking questions and for advice, using every way possible to learn and improve. It was quite some time before she ever earned her first blue ribbon, for the egg and spoon race, and she was as proud of that as if it were for the grand championship.  

She continued her work at the riding stable and eventually became barn manager. She and Stormy were a favorite of the customers and she loved her job. She continued to compete on Stormy, entering every show she was able to. They became quite a formidable team, competing against many more expensively trained horse and rider teams, often times coming out on top. They continued to improve, turning their efforts to contesting, English riding and jumping. They did great even if Stormy wasn’t the biggest fan of all the classes, they worked together and became quite the contenders.  

Time flew and six years later, Beka and Stormy were still as close as ever and still competing. They competed at the county fair again this year, Stormy doing very good despite a jump refusal this year, something he hadn’t done since they first began competing in jumping classes. Nevertheless, they had an awesome year at the fair, coming away with ribbons or trophies in every class. The fair ended and they returned home to relax for the weekend before heading back to work and the anticipation of school starting in a short time. Later, Beka being Beka, couldn’t let a day pass without doing something with Stormy,  she set up some jumps in the field to go over.  I headed out to be her spotter and pole “picker upper and adjuster”. They did a warm up and headed to the first jump which Stormy plowed right through. Confused, Beka stopped and  helped me set up the jump again, checking Stormy for any cuts or scrapes. Finding nothing she hopped back on, said something to Stormy about not making the jump and headed to the next jump in the line. It happened again. Stormy went right through the jump. Beka, confused, dismounted and checked him again. At that point, I told her that after watching them attempt the jumps, I really felt that Stormy wasn’t seeing the jump. We turned to his face and began to look closely at his eyes. Not seeing anything untoward, we passed our hands close to his eyes several times, noting that he didn’t even react, no blinking or flinching. It was as if he really couldn’t see anything and he began to become a bit anxious at this point after the jumping failures. Instantly, we became upset, realizing that for some reason, Stormy was not seeing like he should be. Beka panicked as well and a call was placed to our vet.   

Stormy was hauled to the vet for an evaluation. The news was not good. In fact, it was devastating. Apparently, an earlier, mild bout with ERU, Equine Recurrent Uveitis, or Moon Blindness, had returned. Only this time it seemed much more serious. Our vet was very sceptical, offering an injection of steroids into the back of each of Stormy’s eyes as an option to try and reduce the inflammation that was in his eyes. No promises were made but we elected to try anything possible to help him. The injections were given, Stormy tolerating it remarkably well for a horse that wasn’t able to currently see what was happening. The vet, whom we had always used for our horses was one we had trusted for our animals’ care for quite some time. He talked at length with us, explaining to Beka what he felt the prognosis would be.  He gently suggested that Beka should consider putting Stormy down (despite trying the steroids) as he would be subject to a greatly diminished quality of life as a result of the blindness. There was absolutely no hesitation in her voice as she looked at my tear streaked face, and sobbing, with tears pouring from her eyes then answered him, “I’m not putting him down!” I knew that determination and despite my doubts of his recovery, I did not doubt her resolve. We loaded him in the horse trailer and brought him home.  

The next couple of weeks before school started saw Beka at Stormy’s side constantly. He was terrified, lost in a world of darkness. He would go from traveling through the field, bumping into things to standing stock still, afraid to move. Beka was with him, crying, talking, coaxing, pleading with him as we watched the days unfold with no change in his condition. At some point, Beka realized that there would be no miraculous recovery, no restoration of Stormy’s vision. She became even more determined and told us, “I’m going to teach him voice commands” and a new phase in their lives was begun. 

Despite his nervousness, Stormy knew that Beka was there for him as she had practically never left his side. Her sister Kat had a young horse, Raven, who had been in the field with Stormy her entire life and they got along quite well. The girls put their heads together and a halter with a bell was placed on Raven and little by little it was noticed that Stormy began to listen for that bell and realizing it was associated with Raven, he started to travel the field with her. It wasn’t without its share of bumps and bruises, but the effort paid off and eventually you could see Stormy venture a bit further from Raven and traverse wider areas of the field on his own, smelling, listening and feeling with his feet as he moved slowly along.  

It wasn’t long before Beka got back on Stormy. I’d be lying if I said it went perfectly. He was scared and she was nervous as well as determined. It went slowly as she gradually was able to take him out of the field and begin again with ground work and re-familiarizing him with his now darkened world. She began to associate each new effort with her voice. Before, they could communicate without words but now their communication would begin with just her words and voice. It was slow going but day by day they become more comfortable with each other again and began to learn together once more. Soon they were traversing the road and traffic without difficulty. Trails were more difficult as they had to learn the ups and downs of the terrain, obstacles to cross over, creeks to go through. It was amazing seeing them learn together once again. Before two months were out, Beka found a buggy advertised at an auction and with her savings managed to purchase it. She was determined he would not only relearn old skills but new as well. Soon, Stormy was dragging old tires and sleds up the driveway, graduating to old tires with Beka riding on them as they became a team in a totally different way. Even the first trip with a buggy rolling noisily along behind him didn’t phase Stormy as he trusted Beka with everything he did. Beka learned quickly as well how important her training was becoming. Her voice commands worked so well as he learned “whoah” meant more than it did in the past and she learned to hang on when riding and that telling him to stop meant she just might fly right over his head. “Whoah” meant lock it up and stop on a dime the minute he heard it. It helped not with just riding and driving, but a loud “whoah” originating from the porch swing meant stop immediately while he was walking or trotting through the field. 

Time passed and Stormy became an accomplished buggy horse. He also returned to the show ring and competing. Many times, the audiences had no idea the horse competing in front of them had no idea what was in front of him. He depended completely on Beka to assure things were as they should be. She was his eyes and he was totally at ease with that arrangement.   He returned to working at the riding stable with Beka, guiding  customers through the wooded trails.                          

Once again, changes were in the works. Beka met a young man who had hired on at the stables where she worked. He was in awe of their relationship and appreciated the enormity of what Beka and Stormy had accomplished together.  Beka had heard of The Extreme Cowboy Race that was to be held in Columbus the following spring. It showcased a horse and rider team’s abilities through numerous challenging obstacles on a timed course. Her interest piqued, with the encouragement of her now boyfriend, Marc, as well as the family’s, she began to compile her entry video and submitted it to the selection committee for the race. On pins and needles she awaited their response. Finally, she received word that her entry had been accepted. She was one of 36 entries selected from candidates throughout the United States. She was the only entry that had ever been chosen to compete on a completely blind horse. They continued to work tirelessly on their communication together and Beka had no doubt that Stormy had what it took to compete in the race. Word got out about their efforts and their story began to appear in news articles and interviews. By the time they reached the race venue at The Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio, television stations and other newspapers picked up on the story.  The trip to the race was uneventful. Stormy began to have a small following as word of a blind horse competing began to spread. The day of the race dawned and Beka was understandably nervous as Stormy was becoming a bit anxious prior to the race. The arena was filled and the crowd excited. The entire family along with many friends had made the trip to see them compete. The noise in the arena from the crowd and the blaring music seemed to add to Stormy’s anxiety. He began to rear and was quite unsettled as they waited in the entry chute for their turn. Beka admitted later that she had doubts as to whether they should participate or just scratch from the competition as she didn’t want him being upset and frightened. Their turn arrived and they entered the arena as the announcer introduced them. Stormy’s nose was in the air as Beka began their initial run around the arena. She kept him at a slow canter for that lap. The crowd was cheering and as we sat in the stands, so proud of how far they had come, I could hear the occasional comment from others yelling at them to go faster. It was so hard to not turn around and yell at them, “you don’t understand, he can’t see where he’s going!”, but I didn’t. I concentrated on my daughter and her best friend down there in the arena, accomplishing what had not been done before. Proving that their relationship was so special to all these spectators. They began each obstacle with confidence. It might not have been perfectly executed each time but it was amazing. Mid performance, the host explained to the audience that Stormy was totally blind. You could hear the gasps throughout the crowd as they realized the enormity of what was unfolding before them. A couple more obstacles and the announcer asked the audience to listen carefully to Beka talking to Stormy. She had told me the night before that she had a surprise and with that, they came upon two large 55 gallon barrels lying end to end. Beka spoke to Stormy, “step up”, and Stormy jumped over the barrels. A second set of barrels and he tried again. It wasn’t perfect but thru the tears streaming down my face I knew that these two were destined for great things. I was so proud of them that I felt my heart would burst. They finished the remaining obstacles and as they galloped around the arena on their final lap the crowd was on its feet, tears streaming down faces and thunderous applause rang throughout the stadium! It was awe inspiring!! They stopped and the announcer was dumbfounded. He asked her about their thrilling run and Stormy’s blindness. Beka replied, true to herself and said, “You don’t tell a stubborn fourteen year old to put down her first horse!” They exited the arena to another round of thunderous applause. Stormy and Beka became a sensation. They had fans clamoring for attention, autographs, advice and accolades. Stormy was so popular. His stall was swarming with visitors, amazed at all they were able to accomplish together and eager to hear about their incredible story. The race continued the next day but Beka and Stormy didn’t make the final cut. Beka was interviewed and asked at one point if she was disappointed at not winning the competition. Her response was a laugh and an explanation that if she had intended to win the competition she wouldn’t have entered a blind horse.  She wanted to prove that just because a horse was blind it didn’t mean that they were no longer useful. As she explained, “Sometimes, Love Is Blind.”  

They returned home and people continued to follow their story online as well as through the news media. Stormy and Beka were interviewed for numerous publications and people began contacting Beka for advice about dealing with their blind horses. She had impressed upon so many that blindness need not be the end of a journey, but possibly the beginning of a new one. Stormy and Beka took it all in stride. Their life continued to grow together and expanded to include Marc as he and Beka were married. The following year, Beka entered the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition. Once again, proving that a handicap is only that if you let it become one. Beka and Stormy continued to compete together and their bond just continued to grow. They were recognized wherever they were, horse shows, parades, special events or just trail riding.  

Before long, Beka and Marc added to their family and Emmalee and Annalyn joined the close knit group. Not surprising, both girls were introduced to Stormy as infants and they have grown up loving Stormy as a big part of their lives. Stormy, despite starting to enjoy a more leisurely style of life as time went on, continued to inspire others over the world as his accomplishments were shared online. He starred in a movie as a buggy horse. A well read children’s author featured Beka and Stormy’s story in a book she wrote about them.  

Beka’s vision has touched so many as she shared their love for each other despite Stormy’s lack of vision. Her goal has been to share how special this horse really is. How important it is to not give up on each other. I am continually in awe of this unique bond that they have shared through the years and the inspiration they have been to others. Once again, I am truly believing that indeed, “Sometimes, Love is Blind”. 

In September of 2018, I went on a vacation of a lifetime that Beka had convinced me to join her on. At the last minute, circumstances changed and Beka was unable to go with me. I was extremely disappointed, but Beka urged me to go without her. She was sad to not be able to travel with me but it was just not going to be possible for her. I went and after a wonderful first day in the mountains, I was urged by my husband to contact Beka.  

As I listened to her heartbreaking sobs through the phone I learned of the earth shattering news of Stormy’s loss. My tears poured and my own heart was broken for my daughter and her first love. My heart was broken for my loss. I loved that horse as well. My heart was breaking because I couldn’t be there for my daughter as she lived through this horrible nightmare.  I knew now why she wasn’t supposed to go away with me. She needed to be with Stormy. 

Stormy helped my daughter become the special woman that she is today. Without him I know that her life would have been so different. Her life lessons would not have been learned as she grew into adulthood. Stormy made Beka a huge part of the loving, caring and determined person that she is today.  

So I thank you, Stormy, for your love for Beka, for your trust in her, for your determination to persevere through your trials. Most of all, I thank you, Stormy, for your blindness. Without that, we would not understand that, Yes, Stormy, sometimes….love is blind. I love you sweet boy!

It was at the 2025 Ohio Equine Affaire that I felt Stormy and my EA story came full circle. It was this year that my 12 year old daughter, Emmalee, saved up her very own money, completed and filled out applications and submitted videos for the Ride with a Pro clinics. She was selected to participate in three driving clinics with Marcie Quist and one riding clinic with Luke Reinbold! She did all of these with her 11 year old Haflinger, Doc, whom she trained to ride and drive entirely herself – just as I did with Stormy, all those years ago. I beamed with pride and tearfully reminisced my very first Equine Affaire with my best friend, as I watched them gracefully ride and drive around the arenas during theirs. 

The following link is Stormy and my application video the year we competed in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition at Ohio Equine Affaire. It was the year after we competed in the Extreme Cowboy Race: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Exen7FC6q1c.

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The 2026 Contest Is Now Closed.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EQUINE AFFAIRE MOMENT! Horses can have a profound effect on our lives — and so can attending an event like Equine Affaire! Whether you found the love of your life (horse or human), bonded with a new friend, discovered a new career, or forged a whole new trail in life because of something or someone you discovered at Equine Affaire, we would love to hear your story. Share your stories, photos, or videos with us for a chance to win a special weekend getaway to the 2026 Equine Affaire in Ohio, including a pair of four-day tickets to the event; a pair of tickets to one performance of Fantasia; and a complimentary hotel room for four nights in Columbus, OH!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:

• Think of a way in which attending a past Equine Affaire has impacted your life for the better. This could be about…
  • Meeting new people or new friends
  • Sparking a new romance
  • Connecting or bonding with a family member or an old friend
  • Adopting or buying a new horse or your first horse
  • Encountering a new discipline or style of riding
  • Learning a profound lesson that altered the way you think about horses or riding
  • Finding a new product or feed that helped alter your horse’s life or your life for the better
  • Discovering a new career or new path in your professional life
  • Getting back into horses or getting into horses for the first time ever
  • Winning a difficult victory or achieving a goal you’ve had on your bucket list
  • Or something entirely different! The possibilities are endless.
• Decide how you’d like to tell the story. We’ll accept audio recordings, videos, photos, essays, or a combination of all of the above!
• Make sure to review the rules.
• Get creative! Put your story together and use the form below to share it with us on or before February 28, 2026. (Got something you can’t upload or need to supplement? You can email it to arehnborg@equineaffaire.com!)
• One submission per person, please. Free to enter.

HERE’S HOW THE WINNER WILL BE SELECTED

After the contest ends on February 28, our staff will review all the entries and select the winning story based on adherence to the theme; content; creativity; and style. We’ll notify the winner by email or phone by March 15, 2026. If you win, your story will be shared on our website, social media, in an episode of our podcast, and in our official event program! Although the prize package is for our Ohio event, we welcome stories and experiences about any of our past Equine Affaires!