# Event Details - **Event Name**: Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 20 Aug, 2026 at 10:00 am – Sat, 22 Aug, 2026 at 06:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: AUGUST / 20-22 in 2026 / Winfield, WV 110 DAYS changes lives! The Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a unique event that brings together horse trainers from around the country to compete, showcasing the adoptable horses while providing an opportunity for trainers to showcase their skills. ​ The 2026 event marks the 10th year for the ATFO. Since its inception, the program has: ​ • Provided almost 300 horses with 100 + days of training • Was a feature series on Horse.TV in 2021 • Has been featured in Horse Illustrated, Horse Nation and Chronicle of the Horse • Enabled over 200 horse trainers to showcase their talents to an audience online and in person • Raised over half a Million dollars in funding used to both host the event and aid in HOP’s mission to rehabilitate and rehome the horses of Appalachia • Generated over $700,000 in training value for the horses of HOP • Was the 2021 largest equine event in the state of West Virginia with 2,000+ horse friendly attendees. Operating in one of the nation’s most economically challenged regions, Heart of Phoenix found through necessity there was a need to create innovative ways to get a large number of horses trained and adopted each year on a small budget. Our answer to this was the Appalachian Trainer Face Off. It is training competition that began in 2017. The ATFO is currently one of the largest equine events in West Virginia, hosting 500-2,500 people in August yearly. The ATFO helped make a rescue organization an equine leader in the country. The Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a unique event that brings together horse trainers from around the country to compete, showcasing the adoptable horses while providing an opportunity for trainers to showcase their skills.​ Some of our Judges have been: Josh Lyons, Noah TY (Steady Horse), Michael Lyons, Richie Wingfield, Carson James, Pat Roberts (wife of Monty Roberts), Sonny Garguilo, Carl Bledsoe, Colton Woods and Patrick King. Heart of Phoenix believes when faced with uncommon adversity, all efforts should be make to create a great impact while ensuring that the multiple issues involve are being tackled simultaneously. We have found the Appalachian Trainer Face Off has accomplished this, leading to a better understanding what horse rescue means, what adoption should look like and how the horse industry can help us help horses in a meaningful way. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/winfield/appalachian-trainer-face-off-with-rider-wars-and-the-fun-show/200029419674239 - **Event Categories**: workshops, contests - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 136 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Winfield - **state**: WV - **country**: United States - **location**: WV 34, Winfield, WV, United States, West Virginia - **lat**: 38.50766 - **long**: -81.91992 - **full address**: WV 34, Winfield, WV, United States, West Virginia ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/7a092a7901c99e9b4c1b9dc37d305e10153ee21e0e20abbc4f0d162680d32897-rimg-w1200-h798-dc604930-gmir?v=1776085497 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show being held? - **A:** Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show takes place on Thu, 20 Aug, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sat, 22 Aug, 2026 at 06:00 pm at WV 34, Winfield, WV, United States, West Virginia. - **Q**: Who is organizing Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show? - **A:** Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show is organized by Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Winfield, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 130+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rider Wars and the Fun Show", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/7a092a7901c99e9b4c1b9dc37d305e10153ee21e0e20abbc4f0d162680d32897-rimg-w1200-h798-dc604930-gmir?v=1776085497", "startDate": "2026-08-20T10:00:00-04:00", "endDate": "2026-08-22T18:00:00-04:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/winfield/appalachian-trainer-face-off-with-rider-wars-and-the-fun-show/200029419674239", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "WV 34, Winfield, WV, United States, West Virginia", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "4293 WV-34, Winfield, WV 25526-9788, United States", "addressLocality": "Winfield", "addressRegion": "WV", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "38.50766", "longitude": "-81.91992" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "AUGUST / 20-22 in 2026 / Winfield, WV \n\n110 DAYS changes lives!\n\n\nThe Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a unique event that brings together horse trainers from around the country to compete, showcasing the adoptable horses while providing an opportunity for trainers to showcase their skills.\n\n​\n\nThe 2", "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue INC", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/heart-of-phoenix-equine-rescue-inc/7062890", "description": "Saving the Horses of Appalachia. A West Virginia Horse Equine Rescue 501(c)3 advocacy organization impacting horses through education in an entire region. West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and PA\n\nThe region's largest, most effective equine advocacy org" } ] } ] ```