Hello, I am Makenzi Strand, your 2026 World Percheron Con gress Queen. It is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. I have the privilege of representing the Percheron Horse Association of America and the Percheron breed at the World Percheron Congress in Minnesota, July 6th through the 11th, where people from around the world will come to gether to celebrate one of the most remarkable draft horse breeds.
The Percheron breed originated in Normandy, France, and is known for its strength, ver satility, intelligence, and gentle disposition. Throughout history, Percherons have been used in ag riculture, transportation, logging, competition, and countless other jobs that helped build communi ties across the world. Today, they continue to thrive in the show ring, on ranches and farms, and as ambassadors for agriculture. They represent not only power and beauty, but also generations of history, dedication, and hard working families.
The Percheron Horse Associa tion of America has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as an ambassador for this amazing breed. As World Congress Queen, my role is to educate the public about the Percheron, promote the association, encourage youth involvement in agriculture, assist throughout the World Congress, and help preserve the legacy of these incredible horses for future generations. I hope to in spire others to learn more about agriculture and understand the important role draft horses con tinue to play today.
Although I was born and raised in Arizona, I am proud to now call San Saba, Texas, home. It means so much to me to represent this incredible small town while traveling to one of the largest Percheron events in the world. I am excited to share not only my passion for the breed but also the kindness and support that this community has shown me since moving here.
In 2025, I had the incred ible honor of being named the National Percheron Queen. As a fifth-generation draft horse Makenzi Strand is our 2026 World Percheron Congress Queen Makenzi Strand 2026 World Percheron Congress Queen breeder and trainer, this title was a dream come true, connecting me to a legacy that spans generations in my family. My upbringing in Arizona, after being born in California, immersed me in this world of draft horses, and now, as a young ambassador, I carry forward that passion.
None of this would be pos sible without the generosity of my sponsors. I am especially grateful to my local sponsors here in San Saba, and also to those abroad. Each of these businesses has played a vital role in helping me fulfill my responsibilities as World Congress Queen, and I am incredibly grateful for their belief in me.
The sponsorship isn't just to help cover primarily for travel. My biggest goal is to educate people about the Percheron breed and represent the association in a positive way, both in person and through social media. The sponsorship helps cover the time, materials, and other expenses that go into creating educational content, attending events, and reaching more people.
My hope is that these partner ships allow me to expand that outreach while also promoting the businesses that support me. It's a way for me to give back by sharing your business with my audience while continuing to educate and grow interest in the breed.
If you would like partner with me as a sponsor, send me an email to strandmakenzi@gmail.com or call me at 623-882-5003.
I am honored to represent the Percheron Horse Association of America, the Percheron breed, my sponsors, and the community of San Saba. I look forward to representing our small Texas town on the world stage and shar ing the story of these incredible horses with people from across the country and around the world.