DENVER — As we gear up for the final weekend of the National Western Stock Show, one event sure to drive fans to the stands is the horse dancing showcase.
Riders take their horses from dressage to reining, showing off their best moves for the crowd. But for many performers, this stage is more than just beloved, it's a family tradition.
"Dancing with horses, it's a really unique show," said Sharee Schwartzenberger who's from Longmont.
Whether the arena is empty or the crowd is on its feet, when that spotlight hits, you can't look away.
"He likes attention and he likes being in the spotlight," Schwartzenberger said of his horse.
Eli, the 16-year-old horse loves to dance and so does his owner, Sharee.
"Eli agrees, yes," Schwartzenberger said. "He's got a great personality, he's a ham, he loves the attention and the people. And he loves this because you get a lot of people interaction."
Schwartzenberger grew up down the road in Longmont, first coming to the stock show years earlier to help her dad.
"We grew up coming down here and watching him compete," she said. "And as my sister and I grew up, we started competing as well and coming and performing. It's a family affair."
Horse dancing has always been a special tradition. The joy of performing takes center stage for both Eli and Schwartzenberger.
"As soon as you go through those gates, he gets all happy and he loves it. And he know at the end, he gets an apple," she said.
Inside the arena, Nicolas and Gerardo 'Jerry' Diaz get Lebrijano ready for his first show.
"He's just a very charismatic horse. He has a lot of character and a lot of personality as you can see," Nicolas said.
This stallion may be new to the stage, but not the Diaz family. They've become staples of the stock show for decades.
"I remember carrying Nicolas in my arms at the rodeo here in Denver when he was just an infant. And here he is now, 20 years later as a fifth-generation horseman performing with mom and dad, so it's very special in our hearts," Jerry said.
Jerry Diaz has been with the National Western for 39 years. "We live and breathe these horses," Jerry said.
His passion and love for horses is something he's passed down to his son. "It's almost like a dream come true," Jerry said.
For the Diaz family, the stage here is a second home. The chance to share the spotlight here and showcase the horses they love is one dance they hope never ends.
"When we're in the arena together, we cannot describe how special it is," Jerry said.
Horse dancing is being held at the National Western Stock Show Jan. 18 and Jan. 19.
The 118th annual National Western Stock Show and Rodeo runs until Sunday, Jan. 21, at the National Western Complex and Denver Coliseum at Interstate 70 and Brighton Boulevard.
Tickets to the National Western Stock Show and a full schedule of events can be found at NationalWestern.com.
9NEWS is a corporate partner of the National Western Stock Show.
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