🌈 Rainbow Rave Live 2026 🌈

Another Rainbow Rave is in the books. It's hard to believe this is the fifth Rainbow Rave! I've been friends with the host Sarah long enough that I remember when it was still just a thought in her brain. It's incredible to see how far it has come! I believe I mentioned last year that this show fundraises for The Trevor Project, which becomes more and more necessary in the current climate. RRL is a show with the best vibes supporting a great cause, and I'm so fortunate to be able to attend.

Because the show is so close to me (30 minutes away!) I always make sure to help set up the night before. Setting up the tables is no easy task, and it helps the show host so much to even have one extra set of hands. This year, Sarah had a whole crew to help set up (and it still took about five hours - set up is NO JOKE.) Seriously, if you're close enough to a show hall or if you get into town early, definitely ask your show host if they need any help with set up - they'll appreciate it so much. That being said, the extra hands meant the show hall was nearly completely set up the night before - the only things left to do in the morning were setting up the breakfast bar and putting together the raffle.

The benefit of the show hall for Rainbow Rave is the size. Not only are there callback tables for every division, but OF Breyer is able to double load classes from the top of the day, which makes the whole division run so much faster. Each ring is also color coded for ease of knowing which division is which, and the OF Breyer Mini and CM/AR Mini are additionally on risers. With all of this, the show moves quickly - the show hall was broken down and the doors were locked by 7pm - a major feat for a show of this size! A huge shoutout to the table break down crew, who began breaking down tables as soon as they could while the last few divisions were finishing up.

When you and your friend sweep 3/4 of the OF Breyer Mini Overalls

My string did phenomenally. I brought home a stack of NAN cards, multiple sectional champions and reserves, and overall in both OF Breyer Breed and OF Breyer Mini Collectability. This is especially exciting since this is the first time I've brought home an overall in collectability at RRL. The past couple of years there's always been something just a tad more rare than what I have. The OF Breyer Breed Champ was also especially sweet, as it was the pony I bought myself for my birthday last year.

After the show, a group of us went to a local Amish restaurant for dinner. We had a fun time eating and chatting. You know your party has good vibes when the servers say "these pies are too small for us to sell - do you guys want them? We won't charge you." The desserts were delicious, by the way! The food was delicious too - most of the table opted for the buffet, but I needed a burger after being on my feet all day.

Fisticuffs in the Amish restaurant parking lot! (all in good fun!)

My favorite thing about RRL, like most shows, is the people. The group that attends truly has the best, most welcoming vibes. Maybe it's the knowledge that the environment is safe, as this is an openly LGBTQ-friendly, affirming, and supportive show. Either way, there's a good group of people that returns annually (like myself) as well as people new to showing. Every year, I get to see old friends, meet new friends, and see friends I've only ever interacted with online. This year, my mom stopped by for about ten minutes at lunch, which is the first model horse event she's attended aside from Spokes and Spurs in 2024. She was immediately welcomed by my friends. It's such a friendly show environment, and I heartily recommend RRL to all showers!

The Champions: