Equestrian Application

An Equestrian Unit includes horses and their riders. Units are made up of individual riders, horse hitches, multi-horse units, or a mix of walkers and riders. These units often wear coordinated outfits or uniforms. The horses must be sound and groomed and may be decorated for the event. Depending on the group, the riders might perform formations, carry flags, or simply ride in a line. Equestrian units add tradition, beauty, and movement to a parade, and they often reflect the local equine community, and historical or cultural heritage.

Your application will be reviewed in its entirety, and your acceptance will be based on the information included. If you have been in the Parade in previous years, please ensure you fill out the application with complete information, including details and pictures.

We recommend filling out this application once you have developed your unit plan, including participant count, vehicles, decorations, and costumes. The information included in your application will be used for production and planning purposes. Any changes must be communicated to the Kentucky Derby Festival Event Manager via email for approval.

Please note that units promoting a commercial entity/company are required to pay a commercial entry fee upon acceptance.

2027 Equestrian Application

Must apply by January 12, 2027.

  • Parade Guidelines & Policies

  • Contact Information

  • This will be used to identify your unit in all written and broadcast media.
  • {Example: Coming down the route is the Kentucky Derby Festival! With the annual Derby Festival produced annually since 1956, the focus and passion of their team bring festivities to the Greater Louisville area for the month prior to the Run for the Roses. Today, their float showcases their official mascot, Gus the Pegasus and elements of different events during the festival, such as Hole-in-One, WineFest, Great Steamboat Race and miniMarathon. They’d like to wish everyone a Happy Festival! Fun Facts: They have 70 board members and you can see some of them here today, dressed in their pink and teal jackets.}

  • Unit and Participant Information

  • All participants MUST be 8 years of age or older. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Participants who will be walking down the Parade Route.
  • Participants who will be riding or driving the horses on the Parade Route.
  • This number should be the sum of the Walkers + Riders listed above.
  • EX: Ages 5-10
  • This should include any driving units. No vehicles, including trailers, are allowed down the route with Equestrian Units.
  • I acknowledge that all horses within the unit must be properly groomed, tack maintained and have a negative Coggins test within the past twelve months, with proof if asked. I understand that the horses should be healthy and sound and should not need any extreme work done by the farrier or vet provided by the Pegasus Parade from lack of maintenance.
  • Scooping supplies are provided by the Kentucky Derby Festival.

  • Unit Description

  • Click here to see Unit Application Examples.
  • The 2027 Pegasus® Parade Theme is ‘Springtime in the Bluegrass’. Click this link to read the theme description.

  • Transportation Information

  • Please plan to carpool as parking at the designated lots is limited. EX: 1 passenger van, 2 trucks and horse trailers.

  • File Upload / Link

  • PLEASE SUBMIT A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR GROUP AND/OR A LINK TO AN ONLINE VIDEO BELOW.

  • Please submit a photograph of your unit and/or a link to an online video below.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.

    • For questions regarding the parade or the application process, please contact Lauren Lienhart Miller at 502-584-3378 or lmiller@kdf.org.
    • Applications must be submitted no later than January 14, 2027, and completed in full to be considered for acceptance. Each unit must fund its transportation, accommodations and all other expenses while in Louisville, KY.
    • Application is not a guarantee of acceptance.
    • Once approved, any change in a unit’s original application must be approved by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Failure to secure prior approval will result in the removal of the variance or the entire unit from the parade route.
    • Participants are responsible for ensuring that the use of any theme does not violate the copyright, service mark, trademark or intellectual property of others.
    Save and Continue Later