Education, Entertainment, and Everything Equine Coming to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS TO EQUINE AFFAIRE
FOR EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, AND EVERYTHING EQUINE

LONDON, OH, – If you’ve ever fantasized about spending four whole days surrounded by everything to do with horses, Equine Affaire in Massachusetts is your dream come true. Equine Affaire provides the ultimate horse-lover’s experience, offering hundreds of educational seminars and clinics with the world’s leading horse trainers and clinicians, an endless variety of horse-themed shopping, and best of all, hundreds of horses everywhere you look. Bring your horse dreams to life by making plans today to attend Equine Affaire at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA, on November 8-11, 2018.

FEATURING TOP TRAINERS IN THE INDUSTRY, FROM THE SHOW RING TO MOUNTAIN TRAILS

Equestrians love to learn. From the littlest cowgirl taking her first lessons to the Olympic-level dressage rider, horsepeople know that continuing education is the key to success in the horse industry. That’s why Equine Affaire focuses on bringing the world’s very best professional horsemen and horsewomen to share their knowledge and expertise in clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. With more than 200 sessions on the schedule, there’s something for everyone at Equine Affaire and it’s all included for the price of general admission.

Prominent horsemanship trainers such as Clinton Anderson, Mark Rashid, Brandi Lyons, Warwick Schiller, and Tik Maynard will share the secrets of their craft while solving real-life problems with real horse owners and their mounts during clinics. Other experts will share insights and tips for excelling in specific disciplines, ranging from eventing to dressage to western horsemanship and beyond.

Learn first-hand from Jan Ebeling and Silke Rembacz (dressage), Jeff Cook (hunter/jumper), Muffy Seaton (driving), Paul Humphrey (barrel racing), Lynn Symansky (eventing), Tom Chown (Western horsemanship, showmanship), Marcie Morey (easy gaited horses), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Christine Smith (sport horse in-hand), Brandi Lyons (ranch sorting), Warwick Schiller (reining), Steve Edwards (mules), Suzanne Marshall (working equitation), Scott Seymour (draft horses), Janice Dulak (pilates), Heidi McLaughin (overcoming fear), the Copper Hills Vaulting Team (vaulting), and the US Mounted Games Association (mounted games). Additional presenters will be announced soon, so bookmark equineaffaire.com and check back often for updates on clinicians, schedules, how you can Ride With A Pro, and more.

In addition to a robust clinic program Equine Affaire is proud to present a new educational feature through its partnership with Landsafe Equestrian, a training program that teaches riders to minimize the risk of injury during a fall. Rather than learning the hard way with a painful fall in the round pen or on the trail, riders learn how to fall safely in a controlled environment with Landsafe Equestrian’s interactive ground exercises and equine simulator. Advance registration is required to participate. Visit equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, then click “Participate” and “Ride With A Pro”) for more details, or visit Landsafe Equestrian at the event to learn more about why it’s so important to learn how to land safely.

PRESENTING THE VERY BEST IN EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT

When the doors close on Equine Affaire each night, the horse-themed fun doesn’t come to an end. No day at Equine Affaire is complete without spending the evening at Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s beloved musical celebration of the horse. Brimming with gorgeous horses and talented riders, Fantasia exhibits all of the beauty, athleticism, and grace of the horse set to a wide array of musical styles. Admire Christine Drentwett’s fabulous Andalusian as she demonstrates the Spanish art of garocha and the dazzling Friesians in Pink performance team. For Wild West fans, don’t miss the trick-roping, gun-slinging, and bullwhips of Loop Rawlins (as seen on America’s Got Talent) and the PRCA rodeo specialty trick-riding act, the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders. All these acts and many more are guaranteed to thrill and entertain, night after night. There’s no better way to finish off your Equine Affaire experience than by watching horses and riders work together in perfect harmony to create the ultimate Fantasia.

Sponsored by Absorbine®, Fantasia occurs nightly from Thursday to Saturday. Doors open at 6:45 pm and the event begins at 7:30 pm. Purchase your tickets for Fantasia ($14-25) at equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, then click “Attend” and “Fantasia: The Show”).

SHOWCASING THE AMAZING VERSATILITY OF HORSE AND RIDER

Year after year, crowds of horse lovers flock to Equine Affaire, and year after year, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition (VHRC) proves to be one of the most popular events of the exposition. In the VHRC, horse and rider teams race through a timed obstacle course designed to test the horse’s athletic prowess, the rider’s horsemanship skills, and the communication between horse and rider. From leaping obstacles to backing patterns, bending poles to working gates, changing leads to playing popular gymkhana games, the VHRC truly tests the versatility and ability of horse and rider. Up to 25 pre-selected horse-and-rider teams will compete for $5,500 in cash plus other prizes. Riders of any discipline and horses of all breeds are invited to compete for the title of Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champion.

“The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is a true crowd favorite,” said Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire. “Competitors love the challenge and attendees love to watch it. We’re pleased to again host this signature competition.”

Sponsored by Nutrena, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will take place Friday, November 9, in the coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Riders must be at least 18 years old to apply. For more information about applying for the competition, visit equineaffaire.com to get started (select the Massachusetts event, then “Attend” and “The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition”).

PROVIDING SHOPPING, NETWORKING, PROMOTION, AND FUN ALL IN ONE PLACE

In addition to endless educational and entertainment possibilities, Equine Affaire proudly presents the East’s largest horse-related trade show. With more than 450 vendors in 5 buildings, horse-lovers and horse-owners alike can enjoy the ultimate shopping experience as they search for that perfect purchase. Wander through aisles upon aisles of horse products and services, including tack, riding apparel, show apparel, unique horse gifts, grooming supplies, and more. If you own a farm, visit the vendors specializing in trailers, farm equipment, fencing, and barns. Countless equine retailers, manufacturers, and organizations will be on site at Equine Affaire, ready to help you find the best product, service, or gift for you! Plan your shopping route in advance by visiting Equine Affaire’s comprehensive list of vendors online at equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, click “Attend” and then “Exhibitors”).

When you’re ready for a break from shopping, seize the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful horses by visiting the Breed Pavilion. While the educational clinics and Fantasia showcase horses in motion and at work, the Breed Pavilion affords visitors the chance to interact with many horses directly. More than two dozen breed organizations are already signed up to exhibit, including the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America, the New England Morgan Horse Association, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, and many more. At the Breed Pavilion, learn about national and regional breed associations, glean obscure trivia about familiar breeds, and gain a newfound appreciation for lesser-known breeds. You may even get to pet a soft nose or two before the exhibitors saddle up to show off their special horses in under-saddle demonstrations.

With so many beautiful horses in sight and talented riders to watch, you might decide it’s your time to start riding – and there’s no better way to launch your equestrian journey than with the American Horse Council’s Time to Ride program. New this year to Equine Affaire, Time to Ride offers participants the opportunity to ride for the first time. Local riding instructors and seasoned lesson horses will provide you with your very first riding lesson or even a gentle re-introduction into the world of horseback riding. During your visit to the Breed Pavilion, stop by the Time to Ride booth to sign up for your slot. Participation in the program is included with paid admission to Equine Affaire. Time to Ride is open to participants aged 5 and older. Ages 5 and older will be able to brush and interact with the horses, while ages 6 and over will be able to ride.

If you’re in the market to buy a horse, looking for a new riding stable, or searching for the right sire for your dream foal, then Equine Affaire’s Horse & Farm Exhibit is the place for you. Located in the C-Barn at the Eastern States Exposition, the Horse & Farm Exhibit gives horse owners, horse farm owners, and service providers the opportunity to promote their farms, training and lesson facilities, breeding stallions, and horses for sale. Maps of these exhibits will be included in your free Equine Affaire event program, including a listing of all “For Sale” stalls featuring horses that are available for purchase. If you’d like to bring a horse to sell at Equine Affaire, visit equineaffaire.com to learn more (select the Massachusetts event, then “Participate” and “Sell Your Horse”).
Maybe you’re a horse-lover, but your experience with horses is limited to the occasional lesson or just admiring your model horse collection. There’s a special place for you at Equine Affaire, designed specifically to help beginners develop their basic knowledge about horses, horse care, and horseback riding. Equine Affaire’s Equine Fundamentals Forum gives beginners a safe, welcoming place to learn the basics from friendly experts, hands-on displays, and video presentations. The littlest horse fans will also find plenty of fun learning activities at the Equine Fundamentals Forum, specially designed for small hands and inquiring minds.

MAKING YOUR PLANS

General admission for Equine Affaire includes entry to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the ever-popular and exciting Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and more than two hundred educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Compared to the cost of audit fees for most training clinics, Equine Affaire offers truly unparalleled value. Adult tickets are just $16/day or $50 for a four-day pass; tickets for children (7-10) are $8/day; and children six-and-under attend for free. Visit equineaffaire.com to purchase tickets (select the Massachusetts event and click “Purchase Tickets”). Hours for Equine Affaire are 9:00am to 7:00pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 9:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. Please note the Eastern States Exposition charges $5 (cash only) for parking.

In addition to purchasing tickets, book your hotel stay for Equine Affaire in Massachusetts with any one of Equine Affaire’s host hotels. Mention Equine Affaire with your reservations for special discounted rates. For a full list of host hotels, visit equineaffaire.com (choose the Massachusetts event, click “Attend” and then “Host Hotels.”)

Volunteers for the event receive free admission and should register by 9/29/18. Visit equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, click “Participate” and then “Volunteer”) to get started on your volunteer application.

THANK YOU TO SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

“We simply couldn’t produce this event without our sponsors,” Coagi said. “We’re so thankful to have such generous sponsors who enable us to not only keep this event affordable for our visitors, but also provide an outstanding educational program and equine-related opportunities.”

From the bottom of our hearts, we express our gratitude to Absorbine, sponsor of Fantasia; Cosequin, sponsor of the Equine Fundamentals Forum; Farnam, sponsor of the courtesy shopping bag; Horizon Structures, the official barn of Equine Affaire; Wahl, the official clipper of Equine Affaire; Nutrena, sponsor of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and US Equestrian, as well as the dozens of other amazing organizations that have lent their support through sponsorships.

CONTACT US

For more information about Equine Affaire, visit equineaffaire.com or call the office at (740) 845-0085, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST.