EquiFest of Kansas
Topeka, Kansas | January 23-25, 2026
Stormont Vail Events Center, One Expocentre Dr., Topeka, KS 66612
Legendary RACING Horsemen's Panel
Catch unforgettable stories from Mark and Tawnya Allen, owners of 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, joined by Keith Crupper, the bloodstock agent who first sold Bird to Mark. You’ll also hear from Joe Merrick, whose childhood was shaped by the legendary AQHA Hall of Famer Easy Jet, as he shares remarkable memories and behind‑the‑scenes tales. This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime conversation you won’t want to miss. Presented in partnership with the Kansas Thoroughbred Association.
SCHEDULE
Saturday January 24th
12:00pm Legendary RACING Horsemen Panel
Peach Madl, Kansas Thoroughbred Association Executive Director: Host
Eric Hamelback, CEO of National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association: Discussion Facilitator
More about Mine That Bird: The 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, followed his stunning upset victory with a runner-up finish in the Preakness Stakes behind Rachel Alexandra and a third-place showing in the Belmont Stakes. Trained later by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, he retired as a 4-year-old and spent most of his post-racing years at Double Eagle Ranch in New Mexico, where he became a beloved attraction for fans and tourists. Briefly serving as the Kentucky Derby Museum’s resident Thoroughbred in 2013, he has remained close to his owners, continuing to embody the spirit and resilience that made him a racing legend.
Keith Crupper, Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC, Paris, KY, bloodstock agent who introduced Mark to Bird. The Crupper family has a long family history of enjoying pedigreed horses and racing.
Joe & Sherry Merrick, Joe Merrick, of Sayre, Oklahoma, is the youngest son of legendary quarter horse breeder Walter Merrick, whose innovations produced Hall of Fame horses like Easy Jet and reshaped the American Quarter Horse industry. Carrying forward that legacy, Joe has built his own reputation as a horseman, trainer, and adventurer, bringing both quarter horses and thoroughbreds to tracks such as Canterbury Downs since 1986, and contributing to the Professional Bull Riders Association by helping establish its bull registry.