As the school year and spring season comes to an end, the Georgia International Horse Park will feature a variety of events throughout the summer months for all age groups. Not only can guests see top notch equine events at the park, but they can also experience mud, color, wildlife and the excitement of a rodeo.

What better way to start off the summer than playing in the mud with a friend? The 2013 REI Muddy Buddy Adventure Race Atlanta Event will take place on June 8. Muddy Buddy is a soft adventure race with two unique race options. The Ride & Run consists of a team of two people working together to complete a six-mile course switching between mountain biking and running, while also negotiating through obstacles. The Run Race consists of a team of two along a four-mile course on foot while also completing challenging obstacles along the way. For registration and spectator information, visit www.muddybuddy.com.

The Georgia Quarter Horse Association’s Big A Circuit will kick off the month of July with hundreds of horses competing in the following disciplines: halter, hunter under saddle, equitation, pleasure driving, showmanship, horsemanship, reining, western pleasure, walk-trot, barrel racing, pole bending and many others. The Big A Circuit is one of the largest Quarter Horse competitions in the nation and takes place July 8-14. The event is open to the public and offers free admission.

Put some color in your summer at the Color Me Rad 5K event on July 13. The uniqueness of this running event comes from the fact that all participants begin in white clothing, but end the race covered in a multitude of colors. Along the course, participants are doused in various colors by volunteers tossing colored cornstarch. The finish line is a colorful celebration involving a final color-throw, music and fun. For registration and spectator information, visit www.colormerad.com.

The Bill Picket Rodeo is scheduled for August 3-4. This is the nation’s only traveling black rodeo, telling the story of the black American cowboy. The event features a high energy atmosphere as some of the country’s most skilled and entertaining black cowboys and cowgirls showcase calf roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding and more. This is a ticketed event. For more information, visit www.billpickettrodeo.com.

The summer comes to a wild ending as the Big Haynes Creek Wildlife Festival brings lots of fur, feathers and friends on August 24-25. This entertaining and educational event features animal displays, reptile shows, birds of prey, living history, storytelling, camel rides, artist market, live entertainment and much more. Get involved in the Backyard Wildlife Photo Contest over the summer months for your chance to win Georgia Aquarium tickets. Admission to the festival is only $5 and parking is free. Children 4 and under are free. For more information, visit www.bighaynescreekwildlifefestival.com.

The Georgia International Horse Park offers events throughout the entire summer. “The majority of horse shows are free to the public, and provide a great outing for families during the summer months,” said Georgia International Horse Park Director Jennifer Bexley. “Families can also visit the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center and Rockdale County Master Gardener’s Arboretum during the summer. Both venues are open to the public from sunrise until sunset.”

For a complete calendar listings of events and details about other amenities offered at the Georgia International Horse Park, visit www.georgiahorsepark.com.