About Metamora's Celebration / Scheduled Events for the 2007 Celebration / Directions / Celebration Map / Our Thanks
The village of Metamora is surrounded by beautiful country roads and
horse farms. Home to the Metamora Hunt Club, over 100 miles of hunt trails
criss-cross through the countryside. Metamora has long been known as the symbol and heart of Michigan’s horse “industry.”
The idea for Metamora Celebration of the Horse began after Carol Yunkes opened Equine Gatherings (her tack/clothing/ books/gifts/supply/have-a coffee/tea/sit and relax/educational and whatever-you-want-“horsey” store) and was invited to an annual event hosted by Design Works Jewelry in Metamora.
Each Fall the store owner, Zorka Pondell, hosted her “Horse Party.” Horse owners, trainers and equine enthusiasts were invited to her store for food and fun. Carol took Zorka’s idea further and expanded it into Metamora Celebration of the Horse.
The first year (2006), Carol managed to form a small committee with no budget except what she, herself, could afford. With the enthusiasm of those who volunteered their time and brought their horses for the breed display, for exhibitions in the round pen, for training demos, and for giving pony rides, she launched The 2006 Metamora Celebration of the Horse.
The local Masonic Lodge hosted a pancake breakfast. Metamora Hunt held their hunt close to the village and made an appearance with the hounds and hunt party in full dress going through downtown Metamora before their hunt.
Other local horse events exposed visitors to the beautiful countryside of Metamora: directions were given to a local Driving Show, a Team Penning Event and the Metamora Hunter Trials. Portable stalls and tents sheltered vendors, artists and craftsmen. The results were overwhelming: approximately 2000 people made their way through Metamora and enjoyed the events of that weekend!
photo courtesy of Metamora Photo
visit: www.metamoraphoto.com
This year, led by the enthusiasm and energy of 2nd year veteran, Kathy Stockley, owner of Willowdale Realty & Dev. Co., supported by Bonnie Thaler of Metamora Equine, and the vision of Carol Yunkes, the 2007 event has gotten bigger and better : The 2007 edition of Metamora Celebration of the Horse will host a Parade, (Kallie Roesner, Parade Coordinator) and approximately 12 different Breeds will be on display. Once again Training in the Round Pen and Pony Rides will be available. The Business Expo has grown and will be housed in a tent in Harmer Park, behind RJ Holden Real Estate. In addition to the Pancake Breakfast offered by the Masons, the Metamora Pony Club will be cooking and selling hotdogs and other food in Harmer Park and the Historic White Horse Inn will be offering their Slow Roasted BBQ Half Chickens in an outdoor setting. Games, Raffles, Demos and Educational Talks are planned. Free horse drawn Trolley Rides will carry visitors to and from parking areas and Historical Carriage Tours will convey visitors around downtown Metamora. An Information Booth is available, courtesy of Chris Snow, Coordinator of Volunteers.

Metamora Celebration of the Horse has grown from 2,000 visitors in 2006 to more than 3,000 visitors expected this year. With the growing support of sponsors, advertisers, demonstrators, speakers, breeders, trainers and volunteers Metamora Celebration of the Horse promises to get bigger and better each year! Plan to join us!

Come to the 2007 Metamora Celebration of the Horse! For your convenience we have included here: Directions, an illustrated map of the Celebration layout and a Schedule of Events for Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th. We want to send a sincere Thank You to our advertisers, volunteers and sponsors, without whom this event would never have been possible!