THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

The excitement is building for the 2021 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! Sponsored by Nutrena, the competition will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition during Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. With $5,500 in cash and other prizes at stake, it’s going to be one exciting race as 18 competitors and their mounts vie for top honors. In this post, meet four of the competitors that will join the race at Equine Affaire. (Check out Parts 1, 2, and 3 to meet more of the competitors.)

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Karli Knapp

Horse: Meadowbrook’s Sir Prize, 13-year-old Gypsy Vanner gelding

Karli and “Prize” are all about versatility. Together, they’ve competed in reining, ranch riding, dressage, hunter jumper, and pleasure driving. Prize has also escorted two brides by carriage on their special days, proving he’s got the looks to go with the talent! Karli and Prize’s most recent accomplishment was earning a 67 on their very first reining pattern. Karli says her goal with Prize is to show how versatile the gypsy breed truly is.

Stephanie Speers

Horse: Leap of Faith, 24-year-old Haflinger mare

Partners for eleven years, Stephanie and “Faith” have tried their hand at eventing, cattle sorting, dressage, Western dressage, hunt seat, Western pleasure, trail riding, and driving. Faith has also served as a therapeutic riding horse and has been a visitor to nursing homes. At just 14 hands high, Faith has a heart of gold and plenty of try. Stephanie and Faith placed 8th in the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, and they’re excited to return this year.

Rob West

Horse: Moonshine Lady, 11-year-old Mustang mare

Rob and Moonshine Lady ride in all disciplines and have earned a jumping championship to boot. They placed 5th in the 2015 Extreme Mustang Makeover and have made the top ten in a previous Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Carly Wade

Horse: Wranglin Attraction, 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Carly and “Pauli” enjoy reining, ranch riding, and trail riding. They actively show in National Reining Horse Association events and have placed in the top 5 in the Rookie Pro class multiple times. They also love trail riding and versatility obstacles.

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Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

Ready to marvel at what’s possible when a horse and rider trust each other through it all? Check out the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! Sponsored by Nutrena, this exciting, timed competition will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition during Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Eighteen competitors and their mounts will compete for $5,500 in cash and other prizes as they race through a course of obstacles specially chosen to test their athletic prowess and the partnership between horse and rider. In this post, meet four more of the determined horse-and-rider pairs who will compete this fall. (And if you missed Parts 1 & 2, click here and here.)

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Logan DeCourcey

Horse: Chandler Bing, 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Logan DeCourcey is excited to compete in this year’s VHRC with Chandler Bing, an off-the-track Thoroughbred who was rescued by her trainer in 2019. In just two short years, Chandler has transformed from a lame, malnourished horse who refused to get on a trailer into a capable, athletic mount who’s both brave and bombproof. Since 2020, Logan and Chandler Bing have competed in several A-rated shows, earned several year-end championships in local shows, and had wins at USEF and USHJA-rated shows.

Sarah Morgan

Horse: Pat, 12-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding

Sarah and Pat are two-time National Barrel Horse Association division champions as well as the proud owners of blue ribbons in extreme trail challenges and team penning. Pat started out life as a ranch horse, then found his way east to become Sarah’s mount in a variety of disciplines, including barrel racing, working cow horse, trail, and hunt seat. Sarah says she worked hard to earn Pat’s trust by introducing the gelding to different obstacles; the more things she showed him that he’d never seen before, the more Pat learned to trust Sarah, and vice versa. Sarah hopes to take her partnership with Pat to new levels by competing in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Geoff Goodson

Horse: Stella, 10-year-old Mustang mare

A certified journeyman farrier and the owner-operator of Geoff Goodson Horsemanship and Double G Farm, Geoff Goodson will bring not one, but two mounts to the 2021 VHRC: Taco and Stella. Stella is a 2010 BLM mustang mare from the Adobe Town Herd Management Area in Wyoming. Geoff and Stella’s partnership began by chance – literally – when the mare turned out to be Geoff’s random draw for the 2015 Extreme Mustang Makeover. After they finished in the top ten, Geoff purchased Stella. Today, Stella is a staple in Geoff’s program and they enjoy riding in versatility events, working cow classes, ranch classes, and trails.

 

Kayla O’Leary

Horse: Wildfire, 11-year-old Mustang mare

Kayla says as soon as she sat on Wildfire for the first time, she knew they’d be partners for life. Six years into their journey together, Kayla and Wildfire are keen adventurers. From competing in local ranch pleasure shows to riding in Teddy Roosevelt Rough Rider reenactment demos, they’ve tried and loved it all. This year marks their third time to compete in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

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Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

On Friday, November 12, 2021, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition returns to the Eastern States Exposition! Judged by Ed Dabney, eighteen horse-and-rider pairs will race through a timed obstacle course in pursuit of $5,500 in cash and other prizes. In this post, meet four of the horse-and-rider pairs who will ride in this exciting competition at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Sponsored by Nutrena, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition is an event not to be missed!

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Lisa Doyle

Horse: Dagger L.S.F. Ster, 12-year-old Friesian gelding

Lisa and “Harry” have come a long way together in just two and a half years. According to Lisa, when their partnership began, Harry would bolt when confronted with challenging situations. But today, he has become a confident and brave partner for Lisa. Together, they compete in a variety of disciplines, from team penning and mounted shooting to dressage, pleasure, breed shows, and more! They also competed in the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Nicolina Foti

Horse: Ginger, 22-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Nicolina has been dreaming of competing in the VHRC ever since she was a little girl, and this year, her dream is coming true. Nicolina and Ginger have been partners for 18 years and grew up together. They’ve done it all, including English and Western pleasure, show jumping, Hunter paces, gymkhana, ranch horse, team penning, cutting, team roping, polo, and trail riding. This year, they’re excited to compete in their first VHRC together and see just what they can accomplish together.

Amanda Malone

Horse: Ironwood Turbo, 16-year-old Norwegian Fjord gelding

With both championships and ribbons to their name, Amanda and “Turbo” are a team to be reckoned with. They compete in 3-day eventing, combined tests, competitive mountain trail rides, foxhunting, and more. Turbo also loves to play on the teeter-totter and the Vegas box and enjoys going swimming.

Danielle Gauvin

Horse: Put A Little Pep In Your Step, 17-year-old Quarter Horse gelding

Danielle says “Pep” is a jack of all trades and a true athlete. This pair have done everything together, including gymkhana, jumping, and more. They’ve won the Woodstock Fair Classic in barrel racing and pole bending, made many accomplishments in the National Barrel Horse Association, and competed in eventing and jumping. This year, they’re looking forward to testing themselves in the 2021 VHRC in Massachusetts.

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Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

Sponsored by Nutrena, the hugely popular Versatile Horse and Rider Competition will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition during Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Under the watchful eyes of this year’s judge, internationally acclaimed clinician Ed Dabney, competitors will tackle a timed obstacle course specially designed to test their horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. This year, eighteen horse-and-rider pairs are slated to compete for $5,500 in cash and other prizes. In this post, meet the first four horses and riders who will compete in this fall’s exciting event!

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April Baronas

Horse: Que Sera Sera, 21-year-old Chincoteague Pony mare

Partnered for more than five years, April and “Moon” compete in obstacles, trail, eventing, and hunt seat equitation. April and Moon have competed in three previous VHRC competitions, placing in the top 10 each time. Although Moon is now 21 years old, April says the little mare is as capable and solid as ever, and the pair are excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Jackie Rappel

Horse: Beckett’s Hickory Doc, 20-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding

Jackie and “Roanie” have earned a number of buckles in reined cow horse, versatility, and cow sorting events. They’ve also competed in the VHRC a total of five times, taking home a 4^th place one year and a 5^th place another year. Although Roanie is now semi-retired, Jackie has high hopes for competing in this year’s VHRC and can’t wait to ride into the coliseum aboard Roanie once again.

Danelle Osinchuk

Horse: Slip Me a Dual Pep, 21-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding

VHRC veteran competitors Danelle and “Magic” enjoy competing in O.H.I.O EXCA events and versatility competitions. Together, they’ve earned multiple year-end championships in stock horse events and are leading the buckle series in O.H.I.O EXCA for the intermediate and non-pro divisions. The pair also won the 2019 Massachusetts Versatile Horse and Rider Competition. When he’s not competing, Magic spends his days teaching Danelle’s kids how to ride.

Geoff Goodson

Horse: Takota, 17-year-old Mustang gelding

Geoff Goodson is a certified journeyman farrier as well as the owner-operator of Geoff Goodson Horsemanship and Double G Farm. Geoff has been working with “Taco,” an unbranded mustang gelding, for more than ten years. Taco is an accomplished all-around horse, with experience in obstacles, Western dressage, trail riding, and winter skijoring. Geoff will also be competing in the VHRC aboard Stella, another mustang; you can learn more about Geoff and Stella in Part 3 of this series.

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Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

Do you love sharing your horses, your favorite discipline or your equine business with other horse lovers? If you do, then there’s no better place for you to exhibit this fall than at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts! Equine Affaire will take place November 11-14, 2021, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. As North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire is the go-to destination for tens of thousands of equestrians from all around the United States and beyond. In addition to providing top-notch education and entertainment, Equine Affaire gives horse lovers the opportunity to network with each other through its hugely popular Horse & Farm Exhibits.

Located in C-Barn at the Eastern States Exposition, the Horse & Farm Exhibits provide the perfect place for horse owners, farm owners and equine service providers to connect with customers who are interested in all breeds of horses and a variety of equestrian disciplines. Bring your horses to exhibit as breed representatives in the Horse & Farm stalls, and you could become part of a new horse lover’s introduction to the world of horses. If you have horses for sale, consider marketing your horses to thousands of potential buyers in For Sale stalls. Do you own and operate an equine rescue or horse sanctuary? You’re invited to bring your adoptable horses to participate in the Adoption Affaire, a special event produced by Equine Affaire to help horses in need find their new forever homes. Adoptable horses will be stabled in C-barn along with sale horses and the Horse & Farm Exhibits, which means they’ll be seen and visited by thousands of potential adopters over the course of the event.

If you’d like to participate, submit your materials as early as possible. All For Sale stalls are $150 and include a 10 x 10 inline stall in the C-barn, a “For Sale” sign to post on the stall and a free listing pre-event on equineaffaire.com, plus two 4-day adult tickets to Equine Affaire ($100 value). You must commit to exhibiting your sale horses at least two days of the event; if your horse is sold, another horse may be substituted. Potential buyers, ages 19 and over, may test ride your horse at the event with the proper releases. Horse & Farm stalls are $150 for an inline stall, $175 for an end stall on the outer aisle of the barn or $200 for an end stall on the main center aisle of the barn. All stalls are 10 x 10 and include a one-line listing of the stall number, farm name, horse breed and phone number (or website) on our website before the event as well as in the official event program. Horse & Farm Stalls also include two 4-day adult tickets to Equine Affaire. Tack stalls are available for $100 each. Stall applications, payment and information must be received by September 10, 2021, so apply today!

Ready to learn more about the Horse & Farm Exhibits, apply to participate and more? Visit equineaffaire.com, select the Massachusetts event, click “Attend” and then “Horse & Farm Exhibits.” You can also contact Karin Brennan at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112 or email kbrennan@equineaffaire.com. Exhibitors may also participate in the Breed Pavilion demonstrations or sessions; just ask when you submit your materials.

We can’t wait to see you at Equine Affaire! Visit us online at equineaffaire.com for updates between now and November. If you have questions, call our office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9:00am-5:00pm EST, Monday-Friday.

Equine Affaire extends our grateful thanks to our sponsors: Absorbine®, US Equestrian, Farnam, Horizon Structures, GGT Footing, Nutrena®, Cowboy Magic and Mane N Tail. To learn more about our sponsors, plan to visit their booths in the trade show this fall.

Are you ready to experience the wonder and magic of Fantasia? Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse returns this fall to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, for three spectacular nighttime performances! Become part of the magic on Thursday, November 11; Friday, November 12; or Saturday, November 13 at 7:30 pm in the Coliseum. Sponsored by Absorbine®, every performance of the Fantasia is unique and filled with exciting equestrian performances, novelty acts and elite demonstrations of multiple disciplines, such as liberty, drill team routines, Spanish garrocha, driving, and more. With just three performances, tickets will sell out fast – so buy your tickets online today at EquineAffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085.

Fans of Fantasia know that when the lights go down in the Coliseum, the stars come out in the form of dancing horses and riders. This fall, there’s no end to the stars that will illuminate the Coliseum arena. Third generation circus animal trainer Jenny Vidbel O’Donnell will thrill audiences with a liberty performance featuring 16 horses and ponies. Coached by champions, the Diamond D Cowgirls Mounted Drill Team performs exciting, star-spangled drill routines at rodeos, competitions and events across the nation, and this year, they’ll bring their own particular brand of magic to the Fantasia! National champion para athlete Fred Win will perform Spanish garrocha and light up the coliseum with the beauty and grace of his performance. Featuring spins, circles and thrilling stops, renowned National Reining Horse Association Professional Horseman Bryan Penquite’s reining routine will bring audiences to their feet. If you’ve never seen a high school long-lining routine set to music, then you don’t want to miss lifelong horsewoman Christine Drentwett’s fabulous performance. Other acts will include a pas de deux, Gypsy Vanner driving and more. You never know what you’ll see at Fantasia.

Ready to purchase your tickets for Fantasia? Depending on your seat selection, tickets cost $14, $18, $20 or $25. Tickets sell out quickly, so reserve your seat today! General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are also on sale now. You can purchase your Fantasia and Equine Affaire tickets online at EquineAffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire Office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9 am to 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the official sponsor of Fantasia, Absorbine®. To learn more about Absorbine® and its family of products, visit their booth in the trade show at Equine Affaire this fall, November 11-14, 2021. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

From the recreational trail rider to the top eventer, there’s always something new to learn for every equestrian. This fall, join us at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts for an educational equine extravaganza. This year’s event includes more than 150 individual clinics, seminars and demonstrations with some of the industry’s most renowned horsemen and horsewomen, so it’s the perfect time to seize your chance to Ride with a Pro! Apply by September 10, 2021, for your opportunity to participate in a clinic with our featured general horsemanship clinicians, Ken McNabb, Dan James, Lynn Palm and JR Robles, or with the discipline-specific clinician of your choice. More than 20 presenters have confirmed so far, and additional clinicians will be announced in the coming months as we count down to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts on November 11-14, 2021.

With educational sessions for riders of all disciplines at all skill levels, there is a clinic tailor-made for you. Need help with general horsemanship? Apply to ride with Ken McNabb, Dan James, Lynn Palm or JR Robles. Elevate your dressage skills with Lendon Gray and Stephen Hayes or try your hand at Western dressage with Lynn Palm. Reining and ranch horse fans will delight in working with Bryan Penquite, while trail and general horsemanship enthusiasts should apply to ride with Ed Dabney. Other confirmed clinicians include Laura Kelland May (hunter/jumper), Steven Stevens (general horsemanship), Bob Giles (driving), Shaina Humphrey (hunter under saddle), Anita Howe (easy gaited horses), Karen Rohlf (biomechanics), Luke Reinbold (trail obstacles), Stephanie Hayes (working equitation), Wendy Murdoch (SureFoot, Murdoch Method) and Sharon Wilsie (Horse Speak®). Stay tuned to equineaffaire.com or follow us on social media @EquineAffaire as more presenters are announced.

To apply to Ride with a Pro, visit equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, click “Participate” and then “Ride with a Pro”) or you can contact Lori Helsel at lhelsel@equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085, ext. 107. Fees for clinics range from $75-$350. All clinic fees include participation in the clinic, admission to Equine Affaire on the day of the clinic and twenty-four hours of stabling for your horse. All applications are due by September 10, 2021.

It’s also time to apply for the 2021 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, which will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Put your horsemanship skills to the ultimate test by competing with other horse and rider pairs in a timed obstacle race! The course for the VHRC will be constructed within the coliseum arena and may feature any number of trail obstacles and riding challenges, such as backing through patterns, pole bending, gymkhana games, working gates and others. With $5,500 in prize money at stake, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to showcase your horse’s exceptional talents and willingness to please! Cash and other prizes are available for the top ten riders. Riders must be at least 18 years old to apply. For application materials and other details, visit equineaffaire.com and select the Massachusetts event, click “Participate” and then click “Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.”

General admission tickets and Fantasia tickets are on sale now through equineaffaire.com or by calling the main office. If you’re ready to plan your trip to Massachusetts, visit our website for a list of host hotels, location and event hours, health and safety guidelines and more. For questions or ticket orders, call our office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

Horse lovers, it’s time to get excited for the best news you’ve heard all year! This fall, join us in person in West Springfield for the 2021 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. After three successful virtual Equine Affaire events, we are delighted to return to the Eastern States Exposition on November 11-14, 2021, for our first in-person event since 2019. Make plans today to buy your tickets for the nation’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, where horse lovers and equestrians from all disciplines and walks of life will enjoy four jam-packed days of horse-themed education, entertainment, and shopping. Tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia go on sale July 7, 2021.

General admission for Equine Affaire includes entry to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Tickets for adults are $16/day or $50/four-day pass; children’s tickets for kids aged 7-10 are just $8/day; and children six and under are admitted for free! Get your hand stamped and come and go as you please during event hours, which are 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Thursday through Saturday and 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. Please note the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Make your hotel reservations in advance, and if you stay at one of our host hotels (check out the full list on equineaffaire.com), make sure to mention Equine Affaire to get a special discounted rate.

When you buy your general admission tickets for Equine Affaire, remember to purchase separate tickets to save your seat for Fantasia! Equine Affaire’s beloved musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, will also return to the Eastern States Exposition on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (Nov 11-13) during the event. Sponsored by Absorbine®, Fantasia features dressage, reining, liberty, Spanish garrocha, driving, specialty acts and much more. It’s a show you won’t want to miss! Tickets range from $14-$25 per seat and sell out fast.

Equine Affaire has been dedicated to elevating the equestrian experience since 1994, and that includes providing education for all equestrians, from the recreational trail rider to the Olympic medalist. This year’s event schedule features hundreds of training clinics, seminars, and demos with some of the world’s leading coaches, competitors, trainers, and experts. Attend the 2021 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts for your opportunity to learn from leading presenters Ken McNabb, Dan James, Lynn Palm and JR Robles. Looking for something specific to your discipline? You’re in luck! Attend our discipline-specific clinics and demos with Bryan Penquite (reining and ranch horse), Lendon Gray and Stephen Hayes (dressage), Bob Giles (driving), Shaina Humphrey (hunter under saddle), Anita Howe (easy gaited horses), Karen Rohlf (biomechanics), Luke Reinbold (trail obstacles), Ed Dabney (trail and general horsemanship), Stephanie Hayes (working equitation), plus others. More presenters will be announced in the coming months, so visit us online at equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook @EquineAffaire to stay up to date!

In between clinics, browse acres of shopping in Equine Affaire’s massive trade show, which features hundreds of vendors spread out across 5 buildings. You’ll also want to savor the opportunity to visit our Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits, where you can get up close and personal with many different breeds of horses and learn about them firsthand from friendly breed representatives and horse owners. Aspiring and novice horse owners will love touring the Equine Fundamentals Forum, which showcases valuable information for horse lovers about all aspects of horse care and management. If you’re shopping for a horse of your very own, be sure to stop by the For Sale Stalls to see the horses for sale – or if you’ve always wanted to adopt a horse, check out the Adoption Affaire! Equine Affaire is partnering with a variety of horse rescues and sanctuaries to help horses in need find their forever homes. On Friday, Nov 12, check out the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition and cheer on your favorite horse and rider teams as they race the clock to conquer an obstacle course. All of these activities (and others) are included in the price of general admission, so there’s always something to watch, learn about, shop for or admire!

Equine Affaire in Massachusetts will also feature three new activities for guests. First, if you have tack or other equine paraphernalia to sell, stop by The Marketplace to consign your items in Equine Affaire’s own consignment shop. You can drop off your items in the morning and our friendly staff will tag and sell the items for you. Then you can stop by at the end of the day to collect your earnings. Next, we’ve partnered with the International Liberty Horse Association to offer the Freestyle Invitational. In the Freestyle Invitational, handlers will work with their horses at liberty to demonstrate a myriad of  maneuvers and skills. You’ll be amazed at the level of communication that’s possible when a horse and handler trust each other and work together in liberty. Finally, young riders will love attending the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Clinic to learn more about this fantastic organization and how to improve their riding skills in the IEA show ring.

Equine Affaire wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous sponsors: Absorbine®, Farnam, Horizon Structures, GGT Footing, Nutrena, Mane ‘n Tail, and Cowboy Magic. We extend our grateful thanks to these companies and others. To learn more about our sponsors firsthand, plan to visit their booths in the trade show this fall.

Ready to plan your trip to Massachusetts? Visit us online at equineaffaire.com for updates between now and November. If you have questions, call our office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

This spring, join all your favorite trainers, horse professionals and equine industry vendors online for a virtual equine extravaganza with Equine Affaire in Ohio on April 8-11, 2021. This virtual event will be a free online experience accessed through a digital platform, available online at www.equineaffaire.com and on social media. Just like our popular in-person events, the virtual Equine Affaire includes shopping guides, educational video presentations of content by select clinicians, interviews with clinicians and performers, a virtual Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, video contest, highlights of signature event features and much more! Mark your calendars for April 8 when all access links will become active, and bookmark https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/virtual-event/ in your web browser today!

Elevating the equine experience since 1994, Equine Affaire is dedicated to serving horse lovers and equine enthusiasts of all ages and from all walks of life. Part of that mission includes education. This year, the virtual Equine Affaire event will feature pre-recorded video presentations and interviews with some of the world’s most renowned equine clinicians, including Monty Roberts, Guy McLean, Julie Goodnight, Dan James, Linda Tellington-Jones, Pat Parelli, Warwick Schiller, Stacy Westfall, and many more.

If you follow us on Facebook @equineaffaire, then you already know we’ve been soliciting your votes for your favorite breeds! That’s because Equine Affaire will feature a virtual Breed Pavilion, complete with information on different breeds, their respective associations and special features on the Fan-Favorite breed (based on your votes via social media). We also invite you to submit your favorite videos of your own horses in our “Don’t Worry…Be Horsey” Video Contest. Grab the camera, let loose and have some fun with your horses, and then enter your favorite video for a chance to win an Equine Affaire prize pack. From funny horse videos to breathtaking costumes to nifty tricks, TikTok videos or other ways your horse makes you smile, share them all through Equine Affaire with other horse lovers just like you! Entries are due March 15, so hurry over to https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-other-features/horse-video-contest/ for entry forms.

Have you been perfecting your online shopping game during the global pandemic? Then you’ll love our 2021 virtual shopping guides! These special shopping guides connect our attendees with our exhibitors so you can find the products you need, the gifts you want, and everything in between. Shop by category or exhibitor name and prepare to shop ‘til you drop! You’ll also enjoy enhanced advertisements with product videos and pop out photos to help answer all your most burning questions about the latest products.

Relive the magic of Fantasias past by enjoying exclusive interviews with some of our favorite performers, including a mini-concert with country music singer/songwriter and touring artist Templeton Thompson. You’ll also get the opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn fun facts from past and future Fantasia performers.

Missing the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition? We are, too. That’s why we created the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition “Home Edition,” sponsored by Nutrena. Similar to the traditional VHRC, but with a new format, the virtual VHRC encourages competitors to video their performances in their home arenas. The top ten performers will be featured in the virtual event, with winners announced via social media on Friday, April 9. Want to enter? Visit us online for entry details and more at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.  Entries are due March 12^th!

Finally, the Mustang Trainers Incentive Program Challenge, which was originally scheduled to take place at our in-person event, will be broadcast via our virtual event on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Participants in the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program adopt a wild mustang, then spend one hundred days gentling the animal in order to showcase its trainability and value in a competition setting. Children as young as eight are eligible to participate and compete alongside adults, and you’ll be amazed at what these youths and adults can accomplish with these horses by building on a foundation of time, trust, patience and skill.

Remember, the virtual Equine Affaire is free to attend! No tickets needed. Make plans today to join us online on April 8-11, 2021, and bookmark https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/virtual-event/. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire online!

For more information on Equine Affaire, please visit www.equineaffaire.com, email info@equineaffaire.com, or call our office at (740) 845-0085.

 

To Equine Affaire’s Supporters and Participants,

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect each and every one of us, our surroundings, and our businesses. Infection numbers continue to increase and while there is hope that the pandemic will begin to subside in 2021, we sadly share that Equine Affaire in Ohio on April 8-11, 2021, will not take place as an “in-person” event. The Ohio Expo Center is currently being utilized by Columbus Health and will continue to serve as a COVID-19 testing site in the coming months. It is also slated to be a location for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines once they become available for distribution. With the inability to produce the event at the Ohio Expo Center coupled with current health guidelines and regulations beyond our control, the 2021 “in-person” Equine Affaire in Ohio originally scheduled for April 8-11, will not take place at the Ohio Expo Center next spring and will instead be held as a virtual event.

The virtual Equine Affaire will occur online on April 8-11, 2020, complete with education, shopping, competition and more! Stay tuned to our web site, equineaffaire.com, and social media platforms as we connect attendees with exhibitors and other virtual content, plus exciting updates about upcoming events and special features.

Equine Affaire will reach out directly to attendees who had exchanged tickets for the 2021 Ohio event as well as exhibitors regarding their exhibit arrangements.

Equine Affaire highly values the health, safety, and well-being of all who enthusiastically support Equine Affaire from year to year, and we are committed to producing our signature in-person events again in the future. Mark your calendars for November 11-14, 2021, as we return to W. Springfield, MA, and April 7-10, 2022 in Columbus, OH, bringing you the nation’s premiere equine expositions and equestrian gatherings!

We wish the best of health and well-being to all and look forward to celebrating the horse and the equine industry with you at the next Equine Affaire!