Three hundred and thirty-four years ago, the Pueblos expelled the Spaniards from New Mexico. In their retreat, the Spaniards abandoned 1,500 horses, which were subsequently dispersed throughout the west by trade or sale to other Indian tribes. In this manner, the horse became a part of the Native American world, forever changing the nature of the tribal communities. Aided by the horse, the tribes
of the plains no longer trudged from one camp to another but became masters of the plains, able to disappear like the wind into the surrounding hills and hunt the sacred buffalo. Today, the horse maintains a vital role in New Mexico industry and culture, yet there is not one place in the state that can properly showcase tribal, national and international equestrian events. Horse Nation Santa Fe’s mission is to revitalize The Downs at Santa Fe and bring to New Mexico a spectacular and unique world-class equestrian event center that properly showcases and honors the ancient bonds between horses and riders. Horse Nation Santa Fe focuses on tribal events and gatherings, as well as national and international equestrian events that encompass disciplines such as eventing, hunter-jumper, dressage, western reining, western dressage, and ranch sorting. Other events will include music concerts and cultural events.
