Opening Day & Spirit's Birthday

Saturday, May 9, 2026
3:00 PM PDT - 6:30 PM PDT

Join us for an afternoon to celebrate the Spirit of The Horse and the start of Return to Freedom’s 2026 program season!  We will also celebrate Spirit’s 31st birthday! Spirit is a Kiger mustang stallion who was the muse for DreamWorks Animation's beloved 2002 film "Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron."

The event will begin with a Chumash blessing, followed by traditional Navajo song and dance with Jones Benally (traditional healer and hoop dancer), and Clayson Benally (healer, musician and horse trainer featured in the new IMAX movie "Horsepower"). Spend a beautiful day at the sanctuary enjoying Spanish classical guitar with Josiah Frias, wine pourings from premier local vineyards Flying Goat Cellars, Babcock Winery, and Beckmen Vineyards, and eclectic locavore food catered by Full of Life Foods. Meet some of the animators who worked on the film "Spirit" and RTF’s team!

Enjoy raffles, vendor booths, RTF’s store, auction items, horsemanship demonstrations, mini sanctuary tours, gift bags, and your own mustang photography photo.

This event raises funds to support the more than 450 wild horses and burros at the sanctuary and our important advocacy work to end horse slaughter and protect America’s wild horses and burros on the range.

Ticket levels

VIP Ticket - $1,000

• 1 VIP Ticket with Reserved Seating- Parking - VIP Deluxe Gifts -  Photography

Adult Opening Day Ticket - $250

• 1 Ticket for food, wine, gift bag, shopping, and wild horse demonstration 

Youth Opening Day Ticket - $75.00 (Ages 6-17) Under 5 Free

• 1 Ticket for food, wine, gift bag, shopping, and wild horse demonstration 

For vendor or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Annie Finch at [email protected].