Heart of the Horse is a collaborative partnership between Mississippi Horse Rescue, individuals, and businesses. Established in 2022, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit sponsors special events designed to promote and grow horse ownership, support equine-related businesses and activities, and—most importantly—secure safe futures for previously unwanted and untrained rescue horses.

What sets Heart of the Horse apart is that it goes beyond a traditional Trainers Challenge competition. In addition to the competitive element, the organization provides horsemanship and training clinics designed to prepare novice equine enthusiasts for successful horse ownership. It also supports participating trainers by promoting their talents and helping them refine their skills.

At the conclusion of the competition, the program hosts a live Safe Horse Auction, offering new owners the opportunity to acquire a horse with a solid training foundation and verified health and fitness status. Prospective owners can meet and ride the horses, receive coaching from the trainers prior to bidding, and benefit from continued guidance and support after the horse transitions to its new home.

In January, professional and amateur trainers representing English, Western, and gaited disciplines gathered in Jackson, Mississippi, to select an untrained rescue horse as their partner for the 2026 Trainers Challenge. The horses—provided by Mississippi Horse Rescue—represent a wide range of breeds, sizes, and abilities, including Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Mustangs, Draft horses, gaited breeds, and pony types.

These horses come from diverse circumstances, including law enforcement seizures, auction intercepts, transfers from other rescues, strays, and owner surrenders. What they share is a lack of training—and the risk of an uncertain future without the preparation needed to become desirable equine partners.

Over the next 120 days, trainers work intensively to provide each horse with a strong foundation. Throughout the process, Challenge Teams document their journeys on individual Facebook pages and other social media platforms, allowing potential adopters to follow their progress and connect with specific horses.

The Challenge Teams will reunite May 14–16, 2026, at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center in Jackson for the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Finals. Competitors will vie for titles and more than $15,000 in cash and prizes. Events include Health & Ground Manners on Thursday, Horsemanship & Trail on Friday, and the crowd-favorite Freestyle competition on Saturday.

In addition to the Trainers Challenge, the Phillip Morgan Memorial Pony Challenge will feature similar classes each day following the main competition. This event showcases previously feral Shetland ponies that have been trained by amateur youth and adult trainers in preparation for adoption. These ponies, along with select Showcase Horses presented between classes, will be available to approved adopters for a set fee throughout the three-day event.

Following the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening, the Challenge Horses—each pre-vetted and trained over the previous 120 days—will be offered in a live Safe Horse Auction to pre-screened adopters. Prospective bidders must complete the approval process through Mississippi Horse Rescue and meet with both the horse and trainer prior to the auction.

This carefully structured auction prioritizes long-term success by matching buyers with horses suited to their experience levels and intended activities, helping ensure lasting partnerships and permanent homes.

Admission is free to the public.

We are so thankful for our staff, volunteers and sponsors for the Heart of the Horse Expo & Trainers Challenge!  This event has a team of great people and wonderful sponsors who make it happen.   Everything we do is driven by the passion and commitment that we have for the mission behind this great event.  We could not do it without them.  If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about how you can help, please complete our Contact Us Form. We would love to connect with you.

We seek to develop and grow participation in the equine community and to provide a more secure future for unwanted horses by sponsoring programs that provide training for at risk horses to transform them into valued equine partners, offering education and training clinics, developing equine enthusiasts and helping aspiring owners find the horse of their dreams. The Heart of the Horse events facilitate the process of helping match people to the right horse for their skill level while providing the tools for them to attain their goals with their new horse.