03 25

MEET THE 24 OHIO CLASS OF VHRC RIDERS, PART 3

LONDON, OH, March 26, 2024 – Next month, twenty-five horse and rider pairs will step into the US Equestrian Arena at the Ohio Expo Center, one after the other. One by one, each pair will tackle a challenging obstacle course designed to test their athleticism, their versatility, and above all, their ability to communicate with each other, all while the clock is ticking and the crowd is cheering. Ten riders will place, four will earn cash prizes, but only one will emerge victorious! We’re talking, of course, about the 2024 Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, which will take place on Friday, April 12, during Equine Affaire. It’s going to be an incredible competition. In this post, meet five more of the talented competitors who will join this race at Equine Affaire.

  

Kayla Schlabach-Bossler and Masquerade, a 6 year old Gypsy Vanner gelding 

Kayla and Masquerade are from Navarre, OH. They’ve enjoyed competing in extreme cowboy races for about two years. Masquerade won the open division state championship in Ohio in 2022 as a four-year-old. Kayla says the Gypsy gelding has a natural talent for obstacles as well as trails, liberty work, and being driven.  

“He is very smart and trainable, and loves attention and interacting with anyone who will play with him,” Kayla says.

Kelley Forster and Jolene, a 7 year old Pinto mare 

Kelley knew Jolene was meant for her the minute the little filly drew her first breath. Although completely unrelated, Jolene was the spitting image of Kelley’s horse at the time, a Paint mare named Dream Girl. Dream Girl couldn’t have a foal of her own, but here was a little filly who looked just like her! Kelley fell in love. Fortunately, the little filly’s owner agreed to sell her to Kelley for the price of her vet bill – and that’s when the real fun began. 

Kelley supervised every aspect of the filly’s care and training from the get go, teaching her about leading, manners, grooming, and play, until she was old enough to be started under saddle. Then the pair began exploring the sport of mounted shooting. 

“She took to everything as if she had always done it,” Kelley remembers.  

These days, the pair loves to go trail riding and to compete in mounted shooting and mountain trail competitions. They competed in their first mountain trail competition in November 2023, taking 3 firsts and 1 second in the four classes they entered. A few weeks ago, in their second competition, they placed first in every class.  

“Jolene has proven herself a willing and eager partner,” Kelley says. “She is truly a rock star. At barely 14 hands tall with shoes on, Jolene has proven herself equal to any challenge I have thrown at her.”

Kelsey Spencer and Raggedy Ann, a 12 year old Mustang mare 

Kelsey began training horses when she was just twelve years old. At fourteen, she knew that training horses was all she ever wanted to do for the rest of her life. As an adult, she started her own horse training business, Wild Ride Equine, in large part because of “Annie.” Kelsey met Annie when she drew her for the 2016 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Lexington, Virginia.  

“Annie and I taught each other a lot about ourselves,” Kelsey remembers. “She is why I fell in love with training mustangs.” 

At Wild Ride Equine, Kelsey specialized in training mustangs and competed in six Extreme Mustang Makeovers. She was also a TIP trainer for the Mustang Heritage Foundation for seven years. After eight years, Kelsey decided to close her business due to the economy, but her love for training and teaching remains. She’s also excited to continue working with Annie. Together, they’ve explored the disciplines of ranch roping, ranch riding, jumping, dressage, extreme cowboy racing, and mounted shooting, and they look forward to competing in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition this spring.

Kristin Fouty and Dun Got It Goin On, a 19 year old Paint gelding 

Kristin and “Boo” have been partners for seventeen years. In that time, they’ve enjoyed multiple disciplines, including pleasure, rodeo, ranch, trail, and many more. They’ve both had major accomplishments in the professional and open circuits. 

“Boo is a wonderful gelding with a great working mind. He is always willing and sometimes a little extra willing for a cookie. He is a gentleman and takes everything in stride,” Kristin says.

Marissa Filbrun and Hancocks Lucky Draw, a 4 year old Quarter Horse gelding 

Marissa purchased “Bo” as a three-year-old stud in January 2023. Bo was barely halter-broke at the time. Marissa planned to geld, start, and resell him, but as soon as she started working with him, she realized he had a little spark in his soul – and that’s when she fell in love with him. In March 2023, she started him under saddle. Ten months later, they’ve accomplished all kinds of things together, from roping to ranch riding to jumping, trail riding, obstacle courses, and lots more.  

“I know that we are both ready fo the next challenge thrown our way,” Marissa says.  

If you’re excited for this year’s Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, make your plans today to attend Equine Affaire on Friday, April 12, and watch the competition unfold. Learn more about the competitors for this exciting event by following along on our social media channels leading up to the event, and stay tuned after the event for results! This year’s event will be judged by Steve Lantvit and the master of ceremonies will be the official voice of Equine Affaire, Noah Rattner. 

Read More
03 19

MEET THE 24 OHIO CLASS OF VHRC RIDERS, PART 2

LONDON, OH, March 19, 2024 – The 2024 Versatile Horse & Rider Competition in Ohio is coming up quickly, and we are thrilled to introduce you to this event’s class of competitors.  

Sponsored by Espana Silk Grooming Products, the VHRC will take place on Friday, April 12, at 1:30 pm in the US Equestrian Coliseum during Equine Affaire. A class of twenty-five horses and riders will race the clock and each other as they tackle a challenging obstacle course, specially designed to test the athleticism, versatility, and horsemanship of each competitive pair. With $5,500 cash and other prizes at stake, it’s going to be one exciting race as our competitors vie for the honor of becoming the 2024 Ohio Versatile Horse and Rider Champions! In this post, meet five more of the talented competitors that will join the race at Equine Affaire.

 

Diana Tomes and Rowan, 8 year old Mustang mare 

Diana Tomes works with mustangs at her training and teaching facility, Big Lake Farm, in Davisburg, MI. “Rowan” is an eight-year-old mare from the Adope Town, WY, herd. They’ve only been working together for a few short months, and the VHRC will mark Rowan’s competition debut.  

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to showcase how truly versatile and hardworking mustangs can be,” Diana says. “Rowan has a heart of gold, and it has been so fulfilling building a partnership with her.”

Faith Johnson and Rambo, 9 year old Thoroughbred gelding 

Like many horse kids, Faith Johnson started riding before she could even remember. She started out in 4-H and tried her hand at everything: showmanship, Western pleasure, horsemanship, trail, equitation, and hunter under saddle. Eventually, she moved on from 4-H to breed competitions and began showing American Quarter Horses in hunter classes. When COVID hit, Faith took a break from showing. Then, in college, she bought a project pony and fell in love with the process of working with “project horses.” That’s how she acquired “Rambo,” a Thoroughbred who came off the track with 45 starts, a sesamoid injury, and a right eye completely blinded by a cataract. When they applied to the VHRC in February, Rambo had only 30 restart rides to his credit, but Faith has made those rides count. The pair have ridden in the arena, gone trail riding, worked cattle, and tackled some simple obstacles. Rambo has also taken Faith tubing, and Faith has launched her drone off his back.  

“I want to bring Rambo out to Equine Affaire to test my horsemanship, expose Rambo to different things, and potentially even find him a new home,” Faith says.  

Jessica Mammel and Fancy Lik That, 5 year old American Quarter Horse mare 

Jessica’s lifelong love affair with horses started when she was just three years old. One of her favorite things about horses, especially Quarter Horses, is their versatility. She says that her own horse, “Boujee,” is an amazing example of how versatile the Quarter Horse can be.  

“We have been partners for two years now,” Jessica says. “I would describe Boujee as very brave, willing, and with a huge heart. She’s willing to try whatever I throw at her. This event is something I have always wanted to compete in. I think Boujee is the partner I need to get me there.” 

[no photo available]

Kat Wiegand and WHR Tiny Dancer, 8 year old Gypsy Vanner gelding 

According to Kat, “Tiny” is a lot of horse packed into a little hairy body. From his start under saddle, Tiny has been a force to be reckoned with in the show world, with wins in halter, Western, English, trail, and ranch classes. For the past three years, he has ranked top 10 in the nation in points with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and has earned many championships and reserve championships. Outside the show world, Tiny visits nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

“Tiny has a huge personality, and he’s a crowd favorite at shows,” Kat says. “His trademark squeal can be heard in most of his classes.” 

Katie Finley and Travel Gun, 6 year old American Quarter Horse gelding 

Katie and “Traveller” are from Navarre, OH. By profession, Katie is a Doctor of Pharmacy – but her passion is, and always has been, horses. She bought the then-three-year-old “Traveller” as a young horse in order to challenge herself, and in the process, found her once-in-a-lifetime partner. Together, Traveller and Katie show extreme cowboy racing, mountain trail, and ranch horse. They have won reserve state championships in extreme cowboy, been overall year-end high point champions in extreme cowboy, and overall grand champions in ranch horse and mountain trail.  

“Traveller even faithfully led me to an OQHA Reserve Championship in in-hand mountain trail five days before my daughter was born,” Katie says. “Traveller and I had the privilege of competing in the VHRC in 2022. We have grown so much since then, and would love the chance to go for round two.”  

If you’re excited for this year’s Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, make your plans today to attend Equine Affaire on Friday, April 12, and watch the competition unfold. Learn more about the competitors for this exciting event by following along on our social media channels leading up to the event, and stay tuned after the event for results! This year’s event will be judged by Steve Lantvit and the master of ceremonies will be the official voice of Equine Affaire, Noah Rattner. If you missed our first press release introducing our first five riders, click here to find out more!

Read More
03 14

MEET THE 24 OHIO CLASS OF VHRC RIDERS, PART 1

LONDON, OH, March 12, 2024 – In about one month, Equine Affaire will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Ohio with clinics, a trade show, meet-and-greets, networking opportunities, breed exhibits, educational activities, and competitions – including the competition that has become a beloved annual tradition for horsemen and horsewomen all across the Midwest and beyond. We’re talking, of course, about the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! 

Sponsored by Espana Silk Grooming Products, the VHRC will take place on Friday, April 12, at 1:30 pm in the US Equestrian Coliseum. A class of twenty-five horses and riders will race the clock and each other as they tackle a challenging obstacle course, specially designed to test the athleticism, versatility, and horsemanship of each competitive pair. With $5,500 cash and other prizes at stake, it’s going to be one exciting race as our competitors vie for the honor of becoming the 2024 Ohio Versatile Horse and Rider Champions! In this post, meet five of the talented competitors that will join the race at Equine Affaire. 


Adam Black and Just June, 8 year old molly mule 

Adam Black grew up in southeastern Ohio. His passion for horses started when he was just a small child. Today, he is an established horseman. He began Adam Black Horsemanship with a dream, a direction, and vision to help horsemen and women create an everlasting bond between people and horses. Officially established in 2017, Adam Black Horsemanship focuses on starting colts, obstacle training, cowboy mounted shooting, and competitive ranch riding. He currently works on a 70 acre equestrian center where he offers training, sale horses, lessons and a place to come and enjoy the equine partners. Adam has a long list of accomplishments to his credit, including the 2017, 2021, and 2023 Winner of the Appalachian Trainer Face-Off (hosted by Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue); becoming the Champion of Champions in the 2018 Ohio Dirt Road to the Horse colt starting competition; and many others. Adam is currently a Men’s Level 3 Mounted Shooter and belongs to the Northern Ohio Outlaws. In 2022 and 2023, Adam was invited to work with world renowned Horsemen Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer, and is currently working towards becoming Ohio’s first Monty Roberts Certified Instructor. Adam continues his dream every day and believes with patience, understanding, consistent and diligent work, horse and rider can become what they themselves have always dreamed of becoming. Adam has been riding Just June for six years. 


Amy Bailey and Lucy Lu, 13 year old Appaloosa mare
 

Amy Bailey is the manager of the Kentucky Cowtown Arena in Williamstown, KY. She has been riding Lucy Lu for nine years. They enjoy riding in local Western and English competitions as well as trail, drill, and eventing. They also travel extensively with the Young Guns Drill Team and have had the honor of riding with the team in three Fantasia performances in Massachusetts. Next month will mark their third Fantasia performance in Ohio. Amy says that Lucy Lu is a fantastic trail companion.  

Bella Sweigard and Shelby Dreaming, 6 year old Mustang mare 

Hailing from Lisbon, OH, Bella and Shelby have been together for five years. Together, they perform mountain trail, mounted archery, liberty, jumping, dressage, driving, pole bending, and trail riding. They compete in adult level 3 mountain trail challenges, introductory dressage, beginner novice jumping, liberty/bridleless riding competitions, and adult walk/trot mounted archery.  

“I adopted Shelby, untouched, from the Bureau of Land Management in 2019, fulfilling my dream of training a wild mustang,” Bella says. “Previously, I gained experience when I received a pair of underutilized racking horses that had only been used for light trail riding. I was able to get them in working condition. That experience set me up for success when I finally adopted an unhandled mustang. Since Shelby’s arrival, we have spent countless hours building trust and skills in all kinds of ways. Shelby has shown remarkable aptitude in many disciplines during our training, and I am excited to showcase our accomplishments in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.”  

Charli Cuvelier and Sweet Baby Jesus, 4 year old American Quarter Horse mare 

Charli and Sweet Baby Jesus have been working together for the last two years and enjoy competing in ranch, obstacle, trail, and English disciplines in lower level open shows. Sweet Baby Jesus is the first horse that Charli has purchased, trained, and broken herself. When she first began handling her as a yearling, Charli spent a great deal of time desensitizing the filly to anything she could build or get her hands on. Her eventual goal was to compete with Sweet Baby Jesus in the VHRC, so that goal gave a special direction and purpose to her training. Charli has taken Sweet Baby Jesus to as many open shows and clinics as she could afford and spent a few months working with Adam Black. 

“Adam allowed me to join him at his farm and bring my filly along to continue my training,” Charli says. “I gained a wealth of knowledge there and feel like I am ready for this competition. Sweet Baby Jesus always handles everything I throw at her with grace and gives me the best try I could ask for.” 

Christine Weimer and Sir Par Bar, 22 year old American Quarter Horse gelding 

Christine purchased “Johnny” when he was just seven. In their fifteen years together, she estimates they’ve ridden thousands of miles on trails throughout state parks, metro parks, and private farms. 

“Johnny goes wherever I ask,” Christine says. “He goes over it, under it, through it, willingly. He is always the lead horse when a new rider wants to take their horse on the trail for the first time.”  

Christine and Johnny compete in mountain trail obstacle courses through Premier Mountain Trail, which are competitions based on precision, rather than speed. They have been successful throughout the years, earning the title of Grand Champion in both riding and in-hand. They have also competed bridleless.  

“I have watched this competition for years at Equine Affaire and have always wanted to sign up, however, I never had the self confidence,” Christine says. “I am hoping that by participating in this competition we can inspire older riders with senior horses to branch out and try something new!” 

If you’re excited for this year’s Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, make your plans today to attend Equine Affaire on Friday, April 12, and watch the competition unfold. Learn more about the competitors for this exciting event by following along on our social media channels leading up to the event, and stay tuned after the event for results! This year’s event will be judged by Steve Lantvit and the master of ceremonies will be the official voice of Equine Affaire, Noah Rattner. 

Read More
02 29

EMPOWER YOURSELF AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, March 1, 2024 – Knowledge is power, and nowhere is that more true than in the equine industry. Empower yourself this spring to become a more knowledgeable horse owner, a stronger rider, a more confident handler and trainer, and a better all-around horseperson by attending Equine Affaire in Ohio. From the very beginning, Equine Affaire’s mission has been to improve the horse management, training, and riding skills of horsemen and horsewomen everywhere. Thirty years later, that mission hasn’t changed. This spring, you’re invited to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary with us at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024. Come ready and eager to learn, and we guarantee you’ll leave a better horseperson than when you arrived! 

North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will take place over four days, from Thursday to Sunday, which means you’ll have endless opportunities to learn about show jumping, dressage, reining, ranch riding, breakaway roping, positive reinforcement training, and everything in between, plus tons of sessions all about horse health care and training. With sessions going on in five arenas and on the seminar stage every day, you’re going to need to plan carefully to catch everything – and everyone! — you want to see. The full schedule for Equine Affaire is now available on our website, along with a list of the dozens of equine educators who will be on site teaching clinics and seminars and giving demonstrations throughout the weekend: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-educational-program/ohio-presenters/ 

If you’ve always been curious about Western disciplines, then this is your year! Attend Cowtown in Cooper on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, to learn all about the Western way of riding and how horses and riders can interact with cattle safely and effectively. This brand-new educational feature is sponsored by Western Life Today and includes a variety of clinics on roping, reining, ranch riding, ranch sorting, boxing, and reined cow horse topics presented by Steve Lantvit, Tanner Keith, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and others. Take part in this authentic Western experience and learn something new! 

Our featured general horsemanship and training clinicians for this spring’s event include Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy. Attendees will also enjoy learning from Daniel Stewart (jumping, fitness & sports psychology), Phillip Dutton (eventing), Kevin Raber (reining), Dave Treharne (roping), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Kristine May (barrel racing), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Stacey Giere (driving), Solange (stable riding system), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), Matt McHugh (trailer driving), Kellie & Sam Rettinger (Draft horses), Karin Bump (college & career fair), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Penley Horsemanship and the Mid-Ohio Mauraders (mounted shooting), the Young Guns 4-H Drill Team (drill team), and many, many more! 

MIKE MAJOR hails from Bowie, TX, where he owns and operates Mike Major Horsemanship. Mr. Major has spent his lifetime starting, training, and showing horses in multiple Western disciplines, including ranch horse versatility, ranch riding, roping, cutting, cowhorse, and reining. He has won countless awards through American Quarter Horse Association and Stock Horse of Texas events, including three AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Open World Championships, five AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Open Reserve World Championships, five SHOT Open World Championships, two World’s Greatest Versatility Ranch Horse Championships, and many more. He has also received his AQHA 50 Year Breeder Certificate. Mr. Major specializes in enhancing the clarity of communication between the horse and rider through body control and softness to succeed in all disciplines and at all levels. In addition to his accomplishments in the show pen, Mr. Major is an avid supporter of the industry, serving as a Special Advisor to the Mustang Heritage Foundation and as a member of the AQHA Ranch Horse Committee. 

KEN MCNABB is a lifelong horseman who grew up on the edge of the wild-horse country on the Wyoming-Montana border, both using horses for work and observing them in wild herds nearby. Mr. McNabb decided to make horsemanship his vocation early on. He began training horses for neighbors before he was 15 and apprenticed to Colorado master John Lyons at that young age. In the years since, Mr. McNabb has spent countless hours in the saddle, many of them behind a microphone, teaching participants in regional equine expos, horse shows, horsemanship clinics, instructional DVDs, and through a national RFD TV show. His TV show, “Discovering the Horseman Within,” appears weekly on the RFD satellite channel. Ken’s methods are commonly ascribed to the “natural horsemanship” persuasion of training, working with a horse’s natural inclination towards learning and rewards. He also periodically competes in prominent horse-starting competitions, including the 2008 Road to the Horse and wins at the 2007 Colt Starting Challenge at the Mane Event in Washington and the 2008 Trainers Challenge Colt Starting Competition in BC, Canada. 

In 1982, PAT PARELLI began creating a natural horsemanship program to improve the relationship between humans and horses. Mr. Parelli promoted the concept of love, language, and leadership. His desire to spread this knowledge to the world rose up in him after watching his mentors Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt work with horses. In 1984, Parelli began teaching clinics, and in 1991, he coined the name Natural Horsemanship. Natural Horsemanship has become a viable and important aspect of the international horse industry and continues to expand and influence how horses are trained. Mr. Parelli provides amazing talent for both training horses and teaching people. Today, Parelli Natural Horsemanship and the program have spread to 76 countries, over a million people, and have improved the lives of horses around the world. For more information about Pat Parelli and Parelli Natural Horsemanship, please visit Parelli.com. 

STEVE LANTVIT is a versatility performance horseman whose training program is based on trust, gentle hands, and a true partnership with the horse. Steve focuses on creating a light horse by establishing a strong foundation and providing correct timing and consistency with his methods. Mr. Lantvit competes successfully in cow horse and ranch horse events and enjoys coaching riders in the same. His guiding mission is to help riders achieve their dreams in and out of the show pen by producing handy, steady, and well-rounded horses. Mr. Lantvit hosts the popular TV show, “Sure in the Saddle” (as seen on RFD-TV and the Cowboy Channel), and conducts clinics across the country offering effective, meaningful instruction for riders of all levels across multiple disciplines. His knowledge, common-sense approach to teaching, and humor have made him a favorite at clinics, horse expos, and other exhibitions across the country. 

Owner of Unexpected Farm in Wales, Maine, CHELSEA CANEDY is an upper-level event rider known for combining traditional horsemanship with proven training methods from the behavioral sciences, and has a reputation as someone who understands how horses think and learn. Through these integrative practices, Ms. Canedy helps riders to understand their horse, overcome their fears, and reconnect with their goals. Working with riders and horses ranging from novice to professional, she approaches athletic training for both with empathy, patience, and understanding; she deepens the horse-rider connection through more precise communication, positive reinforcement, and her “reward the try” philosophy. Ms. Canedy is a premier trainer for those dedicated to their goals, willing to navigate their personal obstacles, and discover their own mastery in the ring and beyond.    

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now! Come to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024, and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. And don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets, too! Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, will take place April 11-13 at 7:30 pm each evening and feature incredible equine entertainment. Fantasia is sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family and come to Equine Affaire! To purchase tickets, find an event schedule, review hotel accommodation information, or learn other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

Read More
02 29

PUT THE “EQUINE” IN EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, February 29, 2024 – Equine Affaire simply wouldn’t be Equine Affaire without horses, and the proof is in our name! This spring, we invite you and your whole herd to join us for the thirtieth anniversary of Equine Affaire in Ohio. As North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering, our event is the perfect place to show off your horses in exhibits, breed demonstrations, and display stalls to the tens of thousands of admirers who will gallop to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024. Are you ready to join us? Keep reading to find out how you and your horses can be a part of this landmark celebration and elevate the equestrian experience for everyone! 

The Breed Pavilion and the Horse & Farm Exhibits at Equine Affaire are two of the most popular exhibits at our event because they give our visitors the chance to go nose-to-muzzle with horses of a variety of breeds, types, and personalities. These exhibits are also the perfect opportunity for you, as a horse owner or horse business owner, to connect with thousands of potential new customers and contacts in the industry. Whether you own a business, are part of an association or organization, own a farm, stand a stallion, or have horses for sale, your brand belongs at Equine Affaire. There are myriad ways to participate, from using your stall fronts as promotional displays to sharing brochures and other literature to putting up photo displays, handing out business cards, and more. Best of all, exhibiting at Equine Affaire is an economical and fun way to expand your reach within the industry. Here’s how to participate! 

Have a farm, stallion, or equine business? Choose a Horse & Farm Exhibit Stall! Prices are $160 for an in-line stall, $185 for an end-stall in the center aisle, or $215 for an end stall on an outer aisle. To participate in the Horse & Farm exhibits, exhibitors must commit to presenting for at least three days. 

Regardless of position, all stalls are 10 x 10 stalls in the Gilligan Complex and come with: 

  • A listing of the stall number, farm name, horse breed, and phone number (or website) on equineaffaire.com before the event 
  • A listing of the above in the official event program 
  • One four-day admission ticket to Equine Affaire ($52 value) 
  • Tack stalls are available for an additional $110 each.  

Are you looking for buyers for your horses, or are you an equine rescue or sanctuary hoping to place horses for adoption or expand the reach of your organization? Put those horses in front of tens of thousands of potential buyers or adopters with a For Sale stall or an Adoption Affaire stall. Many of our attendees come to Equine Affaire specifically to find their new best friend, so these stalls are the perfect way to market horses who need new homes. Prices are $160 for an in-line stall, $185 for an end-stall in the center aisle of the barn, and $215 for an end stall on an outer aisle of the barn. All stalls are 10 x 10 stalls in the Gilligan Complex, and include: 

  • A “For Sale” or “Adoption Affaire” sign to post on the stall 
  • A free listing on equineaffaire.com before the event 
  • A listing in the event program 
  • One four-day admission ticket to Equine Affaire ($52 value) 
  • The option to sign up to display your horse in one of two exciting Sale Horse Showcase events during Equine Affaire 
  • If a horse sells early, you may substitute another horse! 
  • Tack stalls are available for an additional $110 each.  

The Sale Horse Showcase events will take place on Thursday and Saturday afternoons in the US Equestrian Coliseum. Lead your sale horse or adoptee through the coliseum in front of crowds of interested attendees while our announcer shares details about your horse and how to get in contact with you. To find out how to sign up for a spot in the Sale Horse Showcases, contact Jessica Anderson at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112, or janderson@equineaffaire.com 

Are you part of a breed association or group, or do you own a rare breed of horse? Consider sharing your horses in the Breed Pavilion! The Breed Pavilion educates horse people about all breeds of horses and invites them to get involved with new breeds. Exhibit booths in the Breed Pavilion are specially designed portable 10’ x 10’ stalls set within exhibit booths, and each stall may be used to display up to four different horses each day, Thursday through Saturday, and up to three different horses on Sunday, which allows organizations to present multiple equine ambassadors throughout the event. For more information on how to get involved in the Breed Pavilion or to participate in a breed demonstration, please visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/exhibit/breed-exhibits/breed-pavilion/ 

If you’re interested in reserving your stalls at Equine Affaire in Ohio this spring, act quickly! Contact Jessica Anderson at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112, or janderson@equineaffaire.com, to learn more about how to get involved.  

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now! Come to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024, and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. And don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets, too! Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, will take place April 11-13 at 7:30 pm each evening and feature incredible equine entertainment. Fantasia is sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family and come to Equine Affaire! To purchase tickets, find an event schedule, review hotel accommodation information, or learn other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

Read More
02 15

CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE OF HORSES WITH FANTASIA

LONDON, OH, February 15, 2024 – Set your hearts and your imaginations free this April by attending Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Whether your love of horses is a new discovery or a lifelong affair, that love is worth celebrating with a show like Fantasia. With just three performances, happening April 11-13, you simply can’t miss this musical celebration, which will feature a curated collection of performances by some of the nation’s most talented equine and equestrian entertainers. Tickets are on sale now, but don’t wait. Get yours today!

Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia is unlike any show you’ve ever seen – and that’s because every performance features a wide array of disciplines and styles of riding as well as a variety of breeds of horses. Whether you love the precision and elegance of dressage, the seemingly effortless high-speed turns and stops of reining, the excitement of mounted archery, or the thrill of trick riding, there’s a performance guaranteed to inspire you in this year’s show. Are draft horse hitches, flaming whips, bridleless jumping, liberty, or drill teams more your speed? We’ve got all that, too… and more!

Ready for a glimpse of the talented array of riders and horses you’ll see in the spotlight in this spring’s Fantasia? The riders of the Young Guns 4-H Equestrian Drill Team may be young, but their skills at the art of the drill speak for themselves. Enjoy patriotic, fast-paced, and rousing rides from this herd of talented youth and their stalwart mounts, lovingly coached and mentored by Joyce Voet. Lauren Sammis, a two-time US team medalist at the 2007 Pan Am Games and an aspiring Olympian, will take command of the coliseum with an elegant dressage freestyle. Liberty lovers will adore Kaleigh Marie’s Braveheart Beasts and marvel at her connection with her gorgeous black-and-white mounts. Expertly driven by Sam and Kellie Rettinger, the Whispery Pines Percherons will bring the “big” — while Jonathan Squibbs, driving a set of miniature horses, will bring the “little”! Reining fans, prepare to be amazed by 2022 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Champion, Kevin Raber, as he brings his award-winning reining freestyle to adorn our Fantasia. Seasoned bridleless riders Brendan and Melanie Wise of Unbridled Wings will take your breath away as they crisscross the arena, leaping lighted obstacles that move from place to place and change heights between every jump. Equestrian Chaos, a stunt team that demonstrates the bond between women, horses, and their bows, will perform astounding gymnastic feats on horseback – all while manipulating their bows, tossing arrows to one another, and shooting at targets!  Rider and Bethany Kiesner are bringing their own unique brand of Western style entertainment to Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. This incredible duo combines trick riding, trick roping, trick shooting, and whip tricks into a performance that has stunned audiences across the nation and the world and won countless awards, including the 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year. With so many incredible performances, all choreographed to music, Fantasia is the kind of show you must see to believe – and that’s why you’re invited!

Fantasia will take place in the coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13. Doors will open at 6:45 pm each evening to expedite seating. Tickets are available now and range in price from $16 to $25, depending on seat location. You can purchase tickets online or by calling our office at (740) 845-0085, M-F, 9:00am to 5:00pm ET. Group, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia. Call our office to secure your 30% discount on group tickets! Please note that Fantasia tickets are separate from Equine Affaire general admission tickets.

Equine Affaire, North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering, is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its event in Ohio! Join tens of thousands of horse lovers at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, on April 11-14, 2024. Attendees will enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family with Equine Affaire! For an event schedule, hotel accommodation information, and other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

Read More
02 06

GET READY TO JUMP FOR JOY

LONDON, OH, February 6, 2024 – Are you searching for fresh inspiration for your riding journey? Looking for answers to questions about horse behavior or training? Maybe you’re interested in connecting with other horse owners, learning about new products, or searching for the perfect piece of gear to complement your new riding goals. Or if you’re brand new to horses, you might be eager to learn all about your new passion and meet other people who share in it. Whatever you’re looking for in the horse world, you can find it at Equine Affaire in Ohio! 

Now proudly celebrating the thirtieth year of our event in Ohio, North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will be returning to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, on April 11-14, 2024. Since its inception, Equine Affaire has been crafted by equestrians for equestrians – which means it’s an event tailor-made for horse lovers of all skill levels, disciplines, and backgrounds to come together and share their passion for horses. That’s exactly what our founder, Eugenia Snyder, had in mind when she launched the first Equine Affaire in 1994. Three decades later, our team is excited and proud to carry on an event that has become a beloved family tradition for tens of thousands of horse lovers. 

Come to Columbus this April and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a sprawling trade show; interactive activities; themed pavilions; breed demonstrations; and lots more, including Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse! Sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a nighttime theatrical extravaganza that features exciting performances by gorgeous horses and talented equestrians, all choreographed to music. Enjoy a stunning dressage freestyle by Lauren Sammis, an exciting and patriotic drill performance by the Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team, a reining freestyle by Kevin Raber, a spectacular driving act with the Whispery Pines Percherons, and a heart-stopping trick riding, trick roping, and gun spinning act by seven-time NFR performers and 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year Rider and Bethany Kiesner, plus many more! Spend the whole day at Equine Affaire, and then enjoy an evening of spectacular entertainment by attending Fantasia: it’s the best way to fill your day to the max with all things horse. 

Tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia are both available for purchase now at equineaffaire.com — and they make great Valentine’s Day gifts for the horse lover in your life! Advance general admission tickets are $16 for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. General admission tickets will also be available at the gate at $18 per single day adult, $55 per four-day adult ticket, and $10 single-day child. General admission is free for children, ages 6 & under, whether in advance or at the gate. Gate sales are cash only, so please plan accordingly. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16 to $25, depending on seating location. Fantasia show dates are Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13; at 7:30 pm ET in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Club, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia only – to receive this discount, call our office at (740) 845-0085. If you’re eager to attend Fantasia on a particular night or sit in a particular section, buy your Fantasia tickets early! Seats sell quickly, and you don’t want to miss this year’s show. 

Elevating the equestrian experience since 1994, Equine Affaire is the ultimate field trip for horse lovers. Plan now to spend a day – or four! — at the event and enjoy unparalleled learning opportunities at clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by the nation’s most elite equestrian educators. This spring, Equine Affaire is proud to present general horsemanship clinicians Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy, as well as discipline-specific clinicians Phillip Dutton (eventing), Kevin Raber (reining), Daniel Stewart (jumping, fitness, and sports psychology); Dave Treharne (roping), Tanner Keith (ranch sorting), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Kristine May (barrel racing), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Stacey Giere (driving), Solange (stable riding system), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), Matt McHugh (trailer driving), Kellie & Sam Rettinger (Draft horses), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Mid-Ohio Marauders (mounted shooting), the Young Guns 4H Drill Team (drill teams), and more.  

Many of these clinicians are also looking for riders to participate in their clinics. You can find more details on how to “Ride with a Pro” by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-ride-in-clinics/ohio-ride-with-a-pro-2/! Applications are due by February 15. Apply today for your opportunity to ride with – or have your horse trained by – some of the industry’s top-notch coaches, clinicians, trainers, and instructors, and enjoy the opportunity to enhance your skills in the saddle and engage with new perspectives on horsemanship and training.  

Brand new this year at Equine Affaire, Cowtown in Cooper is an exciting educational feature designed to showcase an assortment of cattle-oriented Western events through clinics and demos. Sponsored by Western Life Today, this two-day event will feature opportunities for applicants to ride in clinics with – and for attendees to learn from – such experts as Steve Lantvit, Tanner Keith, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and others. Topics will include roping, boxing, ranch sorting, reining, and cutting. Wear your cowboy hats and cowboy boots and take part in an authentic Western experience on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 in Cooper Arena.  

Although the clinics are geared to educate attendees of all skill levels and backgrounds, there are a variety of learning opportunities specifically for people who are new to the industry or families with children who are interested in horses. The Equine Fundamentals Forum in the Celeste Center is the ideal place to start, featuring exhibits and activities about the basics of horsemanship and management as well as educational sessions in the EFF Demo Ring. The EFF also features crafts and activities for kids like a Stick Horse Rodeo (daily at 3 pm), where they can win fun prizes. Students, young adults, and adults in search of equine career or college opportunities are also invited to attend the College and Career Fair presentations by Dr. Karin Bump, which will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 2 pm in the EFF. The College and Career Fair is the perfect way to explore new opportunities in the industry and network with other professionals. On Sunday, April 14, young equestrians will enjoy watching the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Western 5S Finals Show from 9 am-5 pm in the Cooper Arena. Enjoy watching young equestrians compete in reining and horsemanship, and then seize your chance to learn about the IEA, which provides equestrian competition and instruction opportunities to middle and secondary school students. 

Next, visit the Voinovich Center and tour the Breed Pavilion, where you can interact with horses from a variety of breed organizations and associations and ask questions of knowledgeable representatives. You might even meet a live Breyer Horse! Then head over to the Gilligan Complex to tour the Horse & Farm Exhibits, where you can connect with horse owners and horse business owners and learn all about opportunities to visit local riding establishments, boarding facilities, or other businesses. The Horse & Farm Exhibits are also home to the Sale Stalls and the Adoption Affaire. Presented in partnership with the ASPCA Right Horse, the Adoption Affaire invites horse rescues and sanctuaries to bring healthy, adoptable horses to the event in hopes of finding new, forever homes among our attendees. Attendees can look for their next horse at the Adoption Affaire or by visiting horses in Sale Stalls, and even go on test rides (with the proper release forms).  

And speaking of shopping, Equine Affaire is home to the nation’s largest horse-related trade show, which sprawls across four buildings at the Ohio Expo Center. The trade show is the place to shop for all your horse and rider needs. Whether you’re outfitting one horse or several, need equipment for your farm or footing for your arena, want to purchase the perfect souvenir or need new boots and show clothes, you’ll find it in our trade show! Check out our list of exhibitors here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-trade-show/ohio-exhibitors/. More exhibitors will be added in the weeks and months to come, so keep checking back!  

Do you have used tack, riding apparel, or horse equipment that you no longer use, and you’d like to turn it into cash? Consign those items to the Marketplace Consignment Shop and allow our staff to sell your items while you tour the event. You might even earn back your admission and souvenir money! Featured in the northwest corner of the Voinovich Center, the Marketplace is a popular place to shop throughout the weekend for attendees who love to hunt for bargains on used goods. Our consignment fees are lower than other venues’ fees and consigning is easy. Sign up in advance to save $5 on your registration fee and expedite your consignment process when you arrive. Learn more on our website: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-sell/ohio-the-marketplace-consignment/ 

Love watching – or participating in – competitions? Then check out the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition and the brand-new Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge! First, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition features the opportunity for 25 pre-selected horse-and-rider pairs to traverse a challenging obstacle course and demonstrate their horsemanship skills in front of judge and featured clinician, Steve Lantvit. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top four riders, and the top ten riders will receive ribbons. Whether you want to ride in it or just watch, the VHRC is guaranteed to thrill! Apply to ride by February 15. Application materials are available here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/. The VHRC will take place at 1:30 pm on Friday, April 12, in the Coliseum.  

Or if you’re interested in competing on foot, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge is making its Ohio debut! Sponsored by Boot Barn, this fun new competition features three barnyard Olympic events. Participants can break a sweat in the Barn Chores Marathon, race their friends in the Bouncy Pony Race, or team up with a buddy in the Horse Nugget Relay, all in the name of good fun and the chance to win prizes and bragging rights. The GEFC will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 3 pm in the Voinovich Center. If you’d like to participate, visit the Information Booth in the Bricker Building prior to the competition to sign up.  

And speaking of interactive opportunities, there are even more! Draft horse fans will enjoy driving a draft horse or a pair of draft horses with the Whispery Pines Percherons on Friday, April 12, or Saturday, April 13. Sign up on site by visiting the Whispery Pines Percherons stalls in the Gilligan Complex near the green wall. If you’re a veteran, active duty, or a first responder, bring the whole family and sign up to participate in A Horse for Heroes with Operation Horses and Heroes. These activities offer our everyday heroes and their families a chance to experience the effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies and connect with an organization dedicated to helping veterans. To sign up, submit a Ride with a Pro application, or you can visit the OHH booth in the Voinovich on site. A Horse for Heroes will take place on Friday, April 12, and Sunday, April 14.  

Need help planning your trip? Check out our list of host hotels by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/ohio-host-hotels/, and make sure to mention Equine Affaire when you book to receive special discounted rates. Camping spaces with electrical, water, and sewer hookups are available on the Ohio Expo Center grounds. Visit our website for more details on how to camp. Hours for the event are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Please note that the Ohio Expo Center charges for parking: $10/entry or $20/four day pass. For event maps and other details, visit equineaffaire.com today!  

Want to earn free admission to Equine Affaire? We’re looking for volunteers! Volunteers who work a certain number of hours can earn free admission, free four-day passes, and fun souvenirs, all while getting a backstage pass to one of the industry’s most well-run and expansive horse expos! Apply by February 26, 2024, by filling out our application form, available online: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-help/ohio-volunteer/. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsors that help make this event possible: Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Rod’s, GGT Footing, US Equestrian, Western Life Today, and Boot Barn. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

Read More
01 25

FIND YOUR STRIDE AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, January 23, 2024 – Depending on where you live, January weather may not be prime riding weather – but it can be prime planning weather! It’s time to get excited about going riding again. While you’re stuck inside and thawing out from your morning barn chore regimen, start working on your riding applications for Equine Affaire in Ohio. Application materials are now available online for Equine Affaire’s ever-popular Ride with a Pro clinic program as well as the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition. Bring your horses and get the best seat in the house – literally – by riding in a clinic or competition at North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, happening April 11-14, 2024, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH. This year’s event promises to be extra special, as it will mark the thirtieth anniversary of Equine Affaire in Ohio. Don’t miss your chance to participate in an extraordinary event as we celebrate both our history and our future on horseback.

This year’s schedule features multiple unique opportunities to participate in clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by clinicians hailing from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including dressage, driving, English pleasure, eventing, hunter/jumpers, mountain trail, Western dressage, and others. Equestrians from all corners of the industry will enjoy the opportunity to learn something new in a clinic, whether it’s an eventing clinic by seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton, a dressage intensive by two-time US team medalist Lauren Sammis, or a colt-starting demo by modern-day cowboy Mike Major. Riding, training, or participation slots are available with the following presenters:

Operation Horses & Heroes…Interactive activities for veterans

Kristine May…Barrel racing

Daniel Stewart…Biomechanics and sports psychology

Brendan & Melanie Wise…Classical horsemanship and bridleless riding

Mike Major…Colt starting

Lauren Sammis…Dressage

Stacey Giere…Driving

Duane Esser…English Pleasure

Phillip Dutton…Eventing

Ken McNabb…General training and horsemanship

Pat Parelli…General training and horsemanship

Chelsea Canedy…General training and horsemanship

Steve Lantvit…General training and horsemanship

Cynthia Hankins…Hunters/jumpers

Mark Bolender…Mountain trail

Tanner Keith…Ranch sorting

Dave Treharne…Roping

Solange…Stable riding system

Lynn Newton…Western dressage

Equine Affaire is also proud to announce the debut of a brand-new educational feature this year in Ohio: Cowtown in Cooper, sponsored by Western Life Today! Embark on a two-day tour of cattle-oriented Western events, which will also feature opportunities for applicants to ride in clinics and learn firsthand about roping, boxing, ranch sorting, reining, cutting, and more from Steve Lantvit, Tanner Keith, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and others. Wear your cowboy hats and cowboy boots and take part in an authentic Western experience. Cowtown in Cooper will take place on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 in Cooper Arena.

Application materials and clinic summaries are available online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-ride-in-clinics/ohio-ride-with-a-pro-2/. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024. Clinic fees are $105 and include clinic participation, event admission, 24 hours of stabling for your horse, and a T-shirt. Clinicians will make their selections based on applications and videos from applicants, so make sure to read up on all the details on our website so you can put your best foot forward for this year’s Ride with a Pro.

Or if you’re looking for something to bring out your competitive side, applications are also open for the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition. This beloved mainstay will take place on Friday, April 12, during Equine Affaire. Competitors must navigate a challenging obstacle course under the watchful eye of an expert judge and the pressure of a ticking clock. Riders don’t know what the course will consist of until they check in on site, but past obstacles have included jumping, backing through patterns, pole bending, roll backs, gymkhana games, and other creative exploits. With a field capped at 25 pre-selected horse and rider teams, don’t miss your opportunity to vie for $5,500 in cash and other prizes, as well as the honor of being named the 2024 Versatile Horse & Rider Champion! Application materials are available online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024.

If you’re interested in participating in Equine Affaire in a non-riding capacity, we’ve got an exciting opportunity or two available for you! Consider competing in the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Boot Barn! This fun new venture is arriving just in time to help commemorate the 30th anniversary of Equine Affaire in Ohio. The GEFC will feature three events: a barn chores marathon, a bouncy pony race, and a horse nugget relay. You can sign up for the event of your choice on site – no horses needed and no entry fee required, besides general admission! Prizes will be awarded to the top ten participants in each event, as applicable. Whether you decide to compete or just want to watch, you’re guaranteed to have a fabulous time at the GEFC! Flex your barn rat muscles, bring your work boots and gloves, and get ready to compete.

Attendees are also invited to apply to work as volunteers at this year’s event. Volunteers who work a certain number of hours can earn free admission, free four-day passes, and fun souvenirs, all while getting a backstage pass to one of the industry’s most well-run and expansive horse expos! Apply by February 26, 2024, by filling out our application form, available online: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-help/ohio-volunteer/.

Tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia, the musical celebration of the horse, are available for purchase online any time (https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/tickets/) or by calling our office at 740-845-0085, M-F, 9 am to 5 pm EST. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free! Tickets to Fantasia, sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, are also available online or by phone. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16 to $25. Show dates are Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13; at 7:30 pm ET in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Club, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia only – to receive this discount, call our office at (740) 845-0085.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsors that help make this event possible: Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Rod’s, GGT Footing, US Equestrian, Western Life Today, and Boot Barn. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

Read More
01 08

CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF HORSES WITH EQUINE AFFAIRE IN OHIO

LONDON, OH, January 8, 2024 – Equine Affaire invites horse lovers everywhere to join in an extra-special milestone celebration on April 11-14, 2024! This spring, make the pilgrimage to North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering and celebrate thirty spectacular years of Equine Affaire in Ohio. This landmark event will take place at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, and include four days of everything the horse industry has come to know and love about Equine Affaire – plus a wealth of exciting new features, fun giveaways, and special guests. Elevate your equestrian experience this spring and saddle up for the equine event of the year. 

Like all great movements, Equine Affaire first began as an idea. In 1993, founder Eugenia Snyder set out to create a first-class, education-oriented horsemen’s exposition, where horse people from all breeds and all disciplines could convene in a non-competitive environment and share their passion for horses with each other. The very next year, Eugenia and her staff produced the first Equine Affaire at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton. Just three years later, the expo outgrew the Dayton facility and relocated to the Ohio Expo Center, where it has been produced annually ever since. In 2024, Equine Affaire is proud to continue celebrating its traditions by uplifting and uniting the horse industry. With a little over three months to go until the first horses set foot into the arenas of the Ohio Expo Center, now is the perfect time to begin exploring your options for joining the celebrations! Whether you’d like to attend, ride, participate, compete, volunteer, or exhibit, there’s a way for you to become part of Equine Affaire. 

For three decades, equestrians have traveled from all over the globe to attend Equine Affaire and give themselves – and their horses – the gift of better horsemanship through education. This spring, attendees will enjoy clinics, seminars, and demonstrations by such spectacular horsemen and horsewomen as Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy, who will present on topics relating to general horsemanship and training. The event’s discipline-specific educators will include Daniel Stewart (jumping, fitness & sport psychology), Phillip Dutton (eventing), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Stacey Giere (driving), Solange (stable riding system), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), Matt McHugh (trailer driving), Karin Bump, PhD (college/career fair), Jerry Paulsen (equine-assisted activities), and the Mid-Ohio Marauders (mounted shooting), plus many more to be announced in the months to come.  

Many of these clinicians will be searching for horses and riders to participate in their clinics and demos at the event. Interested riders are welcome to apply to Equine Affaire’s clinic participation program, Ride with a Pro! Application materials and clinic titles and topics will be available online in mid-January. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024. Clinic fees range from $85 to $350 and include clinic participation, event admission, and 24 hours of stabling for your horse. Clinicians will review applications and videos from applicants. Whether you’re hoping to improve your dressage scores, tackle a new discipline, fine-tune your communication skills with your horse, or something else, there is a spectacular learning opportunity waiting for you at Equine Affaire! 

And speaking of learning opportunities, Equine Affaire is pleased to introduce a brand-new educational feature this year, focused on highlighting the Western way of life: Cowtown in Cooper. Get ready to embark on a two-day tour of Western cattle-oriented disciplines in the Cooper Arena on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13. Attendees will enjoy learning from – or riding with – some of the industry’s finest clinicians in roping, boxing, ranch sorting, reining, cutting, and more. Wear your cowboy hats and cowboy boots and take part in an authentic Western experience. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more information about Cowtown in Cooper, including our featured Western clinicians and clinic titles, in the weeks to come.  

Looking for something to bring out your competitive side? The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition may be right up your alley! This hugely popular feature will take place on Friday, April 12, during Equine Affaire. Competitors must navigate a challenging obstacle course under the watchful eye of an expert judge and the pressure of a ticking clock. Competitors don’t know what the course will consist of until they check in on site, but past obstacles have included jumping, backing through patterns, pole bending, roll backs, gymkhana games, and other creative exploits. With a field capped at 25 pre-selected horse and rider teams, don’t miss your opportunity to vie for $5,500 in cash and other prizes, as well as the honor of being named the 2024 Versatile Horse & Rider Champion! Application materials are available online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024. 

Attendees are also invited to apply to work as volunteers at this year’s event. Volunteers who work a certain number of hours can earn free admission, free four-day passes, and fun souvenirs, all while getting a backstage pass to one of the industry’s most well-run and expansive horse expos! Apply by February 26, 2024, by filling out our application form, available online: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-help/ohio-volunteer/ 

Equine Affaire is also proud to announce the return of Fantasia, the musical celebration of the horse. With just three performances, Fantasia is can’t-miss entertainment that serves as the perfect bookend for a day spent at Equine Affaire. Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, this two-hour extravaganza is bursting at the seams with gorgeous horses, talented riders and performers, and great music. This spring, enjoy performances by 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year and 7-time NFR performers Rider Kiesner and Bethany Iles; Brendan and Melanie Wise’s fantastical bridleless jumping; a touch of Pony Magic from the Pegasus Riders; a fast-paced, patriotic drill team routine by the Young Guns; a dressage freestyle by Lauren Sammis, and more! Tickets for this special show are available online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/tickets/. Buy your Fantasia tickets early because seats are selling fast! 

In addition to riding and educational opportunities, the 2024 Equine Affaire in Ohio will showcase a sprawling trade show; a Breed Pavilion and Horse and Farm Exhibits; an Adoption Affaire; a college & career fair; an Interscholastic Equestrian Association Horse Show; and lots more. Booth spaces on the trade show floor are going quickly, so if you would like to exhibit and share your products, company, and brand with the tens of thousands of attendees who will be coming to Equine Affaire, act today! Application materials for the trade show are available here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/exhibit/trade-show/ohio-exhibitor-information/ 

If you own a farm, specialize in a particular breed of horse, or provide industry services, we welcome you to exhibit with us in the Breed Pavilion or the Horse & Farm Exhibits! These features are beloved elements of Equine Affaire and allow attendees to meet and greet with you and your horses in order to learn more about you, your horses, and the service and value you provide to the industry. Breed and Horse and Farm exhibitors are welcome to visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/exhibit/breed-exhibits/breed-pavilion/ or https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-breed-exhibits/ohio-horses-and-farm-exhibits/ to learn more about these fantastic opportunities.

Part of this year’s anniversary celebrations will also include the debut of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge in Ohio. If you’re the king or queen of the barn chore list, a master stall mucker, or a true barnyard athlete, you’ll want to come to Equine Affaire ready to compete in the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge. This fun new competition will feature three events: a barn chores marathon, a bouncy pony race, and a horse nugget relay. You can sign up for the event of your choice on site – no horses needed and no entry fee required, besides general admission! Prizes will be awarded to the top ten participants in each event, as applicable. Whether you decide to compete or just want to watch, you’re guaranteed to have a fabulous time at the GEFC! 

And that’s not all. In the days and weeks to come, stay tuned to our website and to our social media channels for announcements of new features, special guests, and schedule details for Equine Affaire in Ohio.  

Tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia, the musical celebration of the horse, are available for purchase online any time (https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/tickets/) or by calling our office at 740-845-0085, M-F, 9 am to 5 pm EST. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free! Tickets to Fantasia, sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, are also available online or by phone. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16 to $25. Show dates are Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13; at 7:30 pm ET in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Club, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia only – to receive this discount, call our office at (740) 845-0085. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsors that help make this event possible: Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Rod’s, GGT Footing, and US Equestrian. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

Read More
12 01

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU MISSED AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, December 1, 2023 — Last month, Equine Affaire in Massachusetts celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Eastern States Exposition – and what a celebration it was! Filled with endless opportunities to celebrate the horse, North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering drew tens of thousands of eager equine enthusiasts from all over the globe to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 9-12, 2023. Attendance at the 2023 event increased compared to last year’s event, in large part due to the excitement of celebrating the expo’s milestone achievement.

Attendees brought their families, friends, and horses to Equine Affaire to commemorate the expo’s silver anniversary in style. They attended hundreds of educational clinics, shopped an extensive trade show, participated in exciting interactive workshops and activities, savored thrilling competitions, and engaged with horse lovers from across the industry. Visitors also enjoyed extra-special surprises, such as fun new competitions like the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Boot Barn, and the Best Booth Award Contest; screenings of HorseWeek.TV, courtesy of the Equine Network; signings from Olympians Steffen Peters and Phillip Dutton; and sold-out performances of Fantasia, sponsored by Absorbine!

“This year’s event in Massachusetts was a true celebration,” said Coagi Long, president and owner of Equine Affaire. “We’re proud to have reached the twenty-five-year mark of our event in New England, and we simply couldn’t have done it without the support of all the people who help make Equine Affaire great. Many volunteers and contracted staff have been working with us since the beginning, not to mention all the attendees who have faithfully attended every event over the years, and of course, the incredible staff of the Eastern States Exposition. It was wonderful to get to celebrate with all our friends, both old and new.”

Equine Affaire was incorporated in 1993 by Eugenia Snyder, a keen horsewoman with experience in both marketing and event production. She wanted to create a first-class, education-oriented horsemen’s exposition, where horse people from all breeds and disciplines could convene in a non-competitive environment and share their passion for horses with each other. The very next year, Eugenia and her staff produced the first Equine Affaire at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton, OH. In 1997, the expo relocated to the Ohio Expo Center. Then, in 1998, a second Equine Affaire debuted at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA. Twenty-five years later, attending North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering has become a beloved tradition in New England, uniting horse lovers of all ages and from all corners of the equine industry.

“It doesn’t matter which event we’re talking about – Massachusetts, Ohio, or California – people attend Equine Affaire because they want to learn more about what they love,” says Cheryl McLeod, who has been working at Equine Affaire events since 1997. “I think gaining knowledge about horses transcends anything that might make people different from one another.”

This year’s Equine Affaire featured a wealth of educational clinics presented by Mike Major, Julie Goodnight, Jason Irwin, Brandi Lyons, and Chelsea Canedy, plus Phillip Dutton, Steffen Peters, Greg Robinson, Jeanne McDonald, Mark Bolender, Bronwyn Irwin, and many more of the industry’s best and brightest instructors, coaches, experts, and practitioners. In between clinics, attendees browsed acres of shopping on sold-out trade show floors and enjoyed networking and connecting with representatives from hundreds of equestrian companies, including Absorbine, US Equestrian, GGT Footing, Horizon Structures, Fair Hill Saddlery, LRP Matting, Triple Crown, Tribute Nutrition, Espana Silk All Natural Grooming Products, Sentinel, Saddle Up Clothing Company, Equine Network, and others. The ever-popular Breed Pavilion and the Horse and Farm Exhibits presented opportunities to engage with breeds as familiar as the Morgan and the Haflinger and as exotic as the Dales Pony, the Gypsy Vanner, the Irish Draught, the Icelandic pony, and the Swiss Freiberger.

The event also produced a slew of winners through mounted and unmounted competitions as well as a Best Booth award contest for trade show exhibitors, the annual Equine Affaire raffle, and a special award for clinicians.

  • On Friday, Nov 10, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, sponsored by Chewy, took place in the US Equestrian Coliseum as twenty-five pre-selected horse-and rider pairs raced the clock and each other to conquer a challenging obstacle course. Brittany Mayer of Cumberland, Rhode Island, won first place aboard My Sharoana’s Time to Shine with a score of 70. She also took second with her second mount, Copy That, with a score of 60. Rob West won third aboard Moonshine Lady, and Scott Keyes took home fourth aboard KC. Congratulations to all VHRC competitors! For full results, and to learn more about all the competitors and their mounts, please visit https://equineaffaire.com/press/.
  • On Saturday, Nov 11, attendees enjoyed the chance to compete in the inaugural Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Boot Barn! The GEFC featured three fun events: the Barn Chores Marathon, the Bouncy Pony Race, and the Horse Nugget Relay. Winners included Lydia Bajus; Elsa Lately; Dylan McCoskery; Nicole & Kasey Czarnecki; and Miriam and Sarah Slate. The event’s master of ceremonies was equestrian fitness coach Ifa Simmonds, owner and creator of the Equestrian Fitness Academy. For a full list of competitors and scores, visit https://equineaffaire.com/press/.
  • In honor of the 25th anniversary, Equine Affaire also hosted the first-ever Best Booth Award contest for exhibitors and vendors. On Thursday, November 9, the staff of Equine Affaire selected and submitted five finalists to our social media audiences to vote for their favorite. The out-and-out winner was EquestriYUM Bakery, owned and operated by Katie Friesema! Congratulations to EquestriYUM Bakery and the other finalists: The Impeccable Equerry, Horizon Structures, Erreplus, and Dubarry of Ireland. The Equine Affaire staff would also like to award Honorable Mentions to the New England Equine Rescue, Sarah Lynn Richards Art, Purina Animal Nutrition, ABI Attachments, and Taborton Equine Books.
  • During the final performance of Fantasia on Saturday, November 11, Jason Irwin of Jason & Bronwyn Irwin Horsemanship received the Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award in a special awards presentation ceremony. The Equine Affaire Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award was created in 2001 to recognize an individual within the horse industry who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the education and training of horsepeople. Mr. Irwin is a lifelong equestrian and horse trainer from Ontario, Canada, who works with both western and English riders of all skill levels and ages. Congratulations to Jason Irwin!
  • The official Equine Affaire raffle also produced twenty-four lucky winners! The raffle, which was hosted online through November 13, 2023, offered prizes from Dubarry of Ireland, Back On Track USA, October Design Equestrian Décor, Blue Seal-Sentinel, US Equestrian, and Equine Affaire. A full list of winners is available on our website at https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/mass-free-raffle/. Review the list to see if you won, and then check your email for a winner notification. Special thanks to all of the incredible companies who donated to this year’s raffle!

Attendees also enjoyed plenty of hands-on and interactive educational activities. The Whispery Pines Percherons team offered three chances for visitors to learn how to “Drive a Draft” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the event. With supervision from Sam and Kellie Rettinger, owners of Whispery Pines, participants took the reins – literally – and learned how to drive either a pair of draft horses or a single draft horse around the ring. Ifa Simmonds partnered with Equine Affaire to offer Equestrians in Motion, sponsored by Blue Seal-Sentinel. These three special interactive workshops provided participants with the chance to learn about different exercises to increase their balance and mobility from Mr. Simmonds, who offers special coaching and workout programs designed for equestrians through Equestrian Fitness Academy.

Sponsored by Absorbine, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, returned for three spectacular performances, November 9-11, in the US Equestrian Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. The Friday and Saturday evening performances both sold out. Attendees were treated to a fabulous and varied display of equestrian performances, including bridleless dressage and jumping by Brendan Wise and Melanie Ferrior-Wise; drill team exercises by the Friesian Heritage Drill Team and the Young Guns Drill Team; a drive-off between the Whispery Pines Percherons and the Morrisville College Belgians; liberty and trick-riding by the Pegasus Riders; a liberty performance by Melissa Barnett; and an incredible Wild West trick-roping finale by Loop Rawlins. Loop Rawlins’ performance was sponsored by Espana Silk Natural Grooming Products. Each evening also included a solemn tribute to American veterans, POWs, and MIAs by Jerry Paulsen of Operation Horses and Heroes, who presented the audience with a special reading and a Remembrance Table display.

The staff of Equine Affaire are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate twenty-five great years in Massachusetts and look forward to celebrating twenty-five more – at least! Save the dates for the 2024 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts, happening November 7-10, 2024, at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield.

Equine Affaire is also looking ahead to celebrating the 30th anniversary of its event in Ohio, which is happening April 11-14, 2024, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH. Tickets for that event – and for Fantasia in Ohio, sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates – will go on sale December 6, 2023, at equineaffaire.com.

To learn more about our event, visit our website (www.equineaffaire.com) or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

Read More

ELEVATING THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE SINCE 1994 TM