LONDON, OH, August 21, 2024 – Do you remember what it felt like the first time you met a horse in person? What about the first time you saw a rare breed — or the first time you met the breed that would become part of your life forever? Meeting horses at Equine Affaire has served as the start of a love affair for tens of thousands of equestrians over the past twenty-six years. We can’t wait to kickstart even more horse-human relationships this fall with our outstanding breed exhibits and the Breed Bonanza, a brand-new competition coming to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. 

Debuting on Sunday, November 10, in the US Equestrian Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition, the Breed Bonanza is a unique under-saddle class designed to highlight horses from across the industry. Sponsored by Blue Seal, the class will be open to all breeds and disciplines, with the winner selected based on the quality of gaits, horsemanship, and turnout. Our judging panel – consisting of a breeder, a horse show judge, and a professional trainer – will be looking for the standout horse and rider combination who epitomizes the cream of the crop. It will be the perfect opportunity for horses and riders of all types, shapes, breeds, and disciplines to shine, and for one lucky adult winner and one lucky youth winner to become the inaugural Breed Bonanza Champions! 

Equine Affaire is accepting entries for the Breed Bonanza until September 6. To apply, click here to download an application, review the rules, and more. The competition will feature one section for adult riders and one for youth riders, ages 12-18. Exhibitors in our Breed Pavilion receive one complimentary entry, which means our attendees will enjoy the chance to watch some of the very same horses they’ll meet over the course of the event strut their stuff in the class on Sunday. 

And speaking of meeting horses, the Breed Pavilion and the Horse and Farm Exhibits at Equine Affaire will be open Thursday, November 7, through Sunday, November 10, at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, Massachusetts. Hundreds of horses representing dozens of different breeds will be on site to populate these exhibits. Their owners and breed representatives will be right alongside them, ready to teach and share about what makes each breed so special and unique. Under saddle demonstrations of the breeds featured in the Breed Pavilion will also be conducted throughout the weekend in the main clinic arenas, which means attendees can develop a new appreciation for the conformation, characteristics, and aptitudes of horses of different breeds and types. 

The Breed Pavilion will be located in the Stroh Building, while the Horse & Farm Exhibits will be housed in C-Barn. The Horse & Farm Exhibits are the perfect place to meet horses and people from local farms, learn about stallions standing at stud, and meet horses for sale – as well as horses up for adoption! The Adoption Affaire will take place during the event, featuring dozens of healthy, adoptable horses from various breeds, disciplines, types, and ages. The adoptable horses will be presented by ASPCA Right Horse representatives or by representatives from many local horse shelters, sanctuaries, and rescues, who work year-round to find forever homes for horses and donkeys in need. If you’ve ever been curious about New England rescues and sanctuaries, the Horse & Farm Exhibits are the place to visit and learn about how to support the important work of these organizations. Looking to meet your next right horse? Consider adoption at Equine Affaire! Information about adoptable horses will be available a week or two prior to the event via our website and social media channels, but the best way to meet your new best friend is by attending the event in person! 

If you’re interested in exhibiting your horses at Equine Affaire, visit our Breed Pavilion or Horse & Farm Exhibits pages. For questions, email Jessica Feasel, our horse exhibits coordinator, at jfeasel@equineaffaire.com. 

Tickets are on sale now for Equine Affaire, North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the expo are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. To purchase your tickets, click here or download the Western Edge app and utilize the Equine Affaire portal.  

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-day parking passes and four-day parking passes can be purchased at the gates upon arrival. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance. Information about host hotels and additional information is available online!

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; Fair Hill Saddlery; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Blue Seal; Chewy; and Boot Barn. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

LONDON, OH, August 8, 2024 – Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, is the stuff a horse lover’s daydreams are made of! Whether you love watching drill teams weave whimsical patterns throughout the arena, enjoy the elegant dance of a dressage, reining, or liberty freestyle, or savor the thrill of seeing mounted archers strike their targets with mind-blowing precision, this is the equestrian show for you. If you attend Fantasia this year, prepare to be astounded by acts like these – and many more!

Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a two-hour theatrical show returning to the Eastern States Exposition on November 7, 8, and 9. With just three performances and a limited number of seats available, don’t wait to buy these tickets! Get yours today by going online to equineaffaire.com or by downloading the Western Edge mobile app to your phone and purchasing though the Equine Affaire portal.

This fall’s Fantasia will feature thrilling acts by some of the country’s most talented horsemen and horsewomen. The Whispery Pines Percherons and the Valley View Miniatures will show off the big and the little of the horse world in a charming double driving act, guaranteed to delight fans of drafts and minis alike. Equestrian Chaos is an incredibly talented all-female team of mounted archers – outfitted in beautiful leather armor and escorted by their very own herald – who will take the arena by storm and dazzle audiences with both their aim and their gymnastic abilities in the saddle. If you’ve ever heard of the Man from Snowy River, you’ll want to stay glued to your seat for Guy McLean’s whip cracks, wise cracks, and spoken word poetry as he guides his Australian stock horses around the arena on horseback and at liberty. And if liberty – and unicorns – are among a few of your favorite things, you’ll adore Mary Miller Jordan’s sweet freestyle liberty routine as she explores a little horse-crazy girl’s dream world. Lauren Sammis and Daisy van Wittenstein will star in a golden, glittering dressage freestyle, set to tunes that will make you want to jump up and dance with them. Reining fans, prep your whistles and cheers: 2022 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Champion, Kevin Raber, will share his award-winning reining freestyle in our fall Fantasia. The award-winning Renegade Equestrian Drill Team will set the arena ablaze and energize you with a dazzling drill routine set to heart-thumping, high-octane music. We’re also thrilled to welcome the talented children and miniature horses of the Mini-Doves Equestrian Drill Team, who will win your hearts and inspire your own children with what’s possible when a horse and a child trust each other.

Why not give yourself and your family an incredible early Christmas gift this November? Get your tickets to Fantasia today by visiting our tickets page. Tickets to Fantasia range from $16 to $27. The show begins at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 7; Friday, November 8; and Saturday, November 9. The doors open for seating at 6:45 pm. For assistance with special seating for those with disabilities, please call Western Edge directly at (833) 329-3277.

If you’re planning to attend Fantasia, why not visit Equine Affaire, too? Equine Affaire is North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the expo are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations.

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-day parking passes and four-day parking passes can be purchased at the gates upon arrival. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance by going here.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, sponsor of the 2024 Fantasia. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

LONDON, OH, July 30, 2024 – Want to piaffe like Peters, ride a clear round like Kraut or bound over the cross country like Boyd Martin and Bruno? There’s nothing like watching the equestrian Olympic games to inspire us all to become better horsemen and horsewomen – and there’s no place better than Equine Affaire to help you meet that goal! Elevate your equestrian experience this fall by attending North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, happening November 7-10, 2024, at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, Massachusetts. Tickets are on sale now at equineaffaire.com!

Whether it’s your first visit or your twentieth, there’s no end to the exciting activities waiting for you at Equine Affaire. Join us for a fantastic four-day equestrian experience, filled with hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; the largest and most diverse horse-related trade show in the east; multiple exciting competitions; a new slew of interactive activities; and thousands of opportunities to see, pet, and admire horses of a variety of breeds and disciplines from all over the country. If you love horses, Equine Affaire is the place to be, and this is your guide on how to get there.

First, we recommend downloading the Western Edge mobile app for iPhone and Android. This premier mobile app platform offers Equine Affaire fans an easy new way to purchase tickets though its user-friendly electronic ticketing system. Whether you purchase your tickets online or through the app, you’ll receive them in your email – but make sure you keep the app on your phone! Through Western Edge, you’ll have all the event details available at your fingertips, including a venue map, the event schedule, exhibitor listings, and much more. Stay up to date on all things Equine Affaire with Western Edge and enjoy some exciting surprises along the way!

General admission tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Bring the whole family and enjoy access to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations, as well as a variety of immersive activities! Hours for the show are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. While you’re buying your general admission tickets, don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets! Review the seating map in the app to select the right seats for you and your friends. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16-$27. Please also remember that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. After you’ve gotten your tickets, remember to book a room! Reserve a room with any one of our 2024 host hotel partners and take advantage of special rates and room blocks by mentioning Equine Affaire! See our host hotels here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/. Or if you’d like to camp on site, visit our website for details: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-campinglodging/. No advance registration is required for camping, and the campgrounds will open to the public at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6.

Curious about who you’ll see at Equine Affaire? This fall’s topflight educational program will be led by equestrian all-stars Guy McLean (Quietway Horsemanship), Chris Irwin (Horse Think, Mind Your Horse), Tik Maynard (eventing and behavioral training), and Ryan Rose (general training & trail). Want to take a closer look at your discipline – or learn about a new one? Look out for discipline-specific clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by Lauren Sammis (dressage), Traci Brooks (hunter/jumper), Barbra Schulte (cutting/sports psychology), Beth Baumert (dressage), Marci Quist (driving), Daniel Stewart (jumping/sports psychology), Ben Longwell (vaquero), Kevin Raber (reining), Ivy Starnes (easy gaited horses), Solange (Stable Riding), Mary Miller Jordan (liberty), Kellie & Sam Rettinger (draft horses), Mini Doves Equestrian Drill Team (miniature horses), Rebecca Platz (miniature obstacle course), Celisse Barrett (mounted archery), the Renegade Drill Team (drill teams), the Copper Hill Vaulting Team (vaulting), and more to be announced! Plan ahead by checking out our preliminary clinic schedule, available now at https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/educational-program/mass-presenters/. Special thanks to Custom Equine Nutrition for sponsoring Guy McLean’s presentations at this year’s event!

And if you love to learn hands-on, we invite you to apply to Ride with a Pro! Sponsored by Fair Hill Saddlery, the Ride with a Pro clinic program offers unique opportunities for riders like you to receive individual instruction and training from many nationally recognized industry professionals. Apply before September 6 for your opportunity to ride with, or have your horse trained by, one of the following: Guy McLean (colt starting), Chris Irwin (general training, horsemanship, HorseThink), Tik Maynard (eventing, general training), Ryan Rose (general training, horsemanship, ranch trail, trail obstacles), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Traci Brooks (hunter/jumper), Barbra Schulte (cutting), Marcie Quist (driving), Daniel Stewart (jumping, sport psychology), Ivy Starnes (easy gaited horses), Kevin Raber (reining), Ben Longwell (vaquero and ranch horse), Beth Baumert (dressage), Solange (Stable Riding), and the Renegades Drill Team (drill teams).  With more than 50 RWAP-eligible clinics to choose from across four days, we guarantee you’ll find a clinic (or two!) to suit you and your horse. The fee for each clinic is $105 and includes clinic participation, event admission, 24 hours of stabling, and a free T-shirt. Visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-ride-in-clinics/mass-ride-with-a-pro/ today to apply.

Crown your day of learning at Equine Affaire by attending a spectacular nighttime performance: Fantasia, a musical celebration of the horse! Sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a stunning theatrical showcase of talented riders, gorgeous horses, and fabulous music. This year’s event will feature acts that will inspire your dreams, bring tears to your eyes, and remind you of all the reasons you fell in love with horses.  This year’s show features the Australian cowboy-poet, Guy McLean; a show-stopping mounted archery routine by the all-female archery team Equestrian Chaos; the beloved Mini-Doves Equestrian Drill Team; a foot stomping dressage freestyle by Lauren Sammis; and even more unbelievable acts. You’ll also see the lilliputian stars of Equine Affaire’s first-ever viral social media video: six matched miniature black horses pulling an adorable wagon! The Valley View miniatures will appear alongside the colossal Whispery Pines Percherons in a double-driving act that will bring you to your feet with excitement. With just three performances, happening November 7-9 at 7:30 pm in the Coliseum, get your tickets early before they sell out.

Equine Affaire in Massachusetts will also feature not just one, not just two, but three exhilarating competitions this year – including the inaugural Breed Bonanza, sponsored by Blue Seal! This exciting under saddle class will highlight a wide variety of breeds and disciplines as the best of the best vie for top honors in the Breed Bonanza. Featuring a section for youth riders and a section for adult riders, the first-ever Equine Affaire Breed Bonanza will take place on Sunday, November 10, at 11 am in the Coliseum. Whether you want to compete or watch, don’t miss this exciting new feature designed to highlight the beauty, grace, and athleticism of horses everywhere. To learn more and enter the Breed Bonanza, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-breed-bonanza/ today. Entries are due September 6.

A beloved annual tradition for riders from across New England and beyond, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition – sponsored by Chewy! — will return on Friday, November 8, at 1 pm in the Coliseum. Designed to test horsemanship, versatility, and horse-and-rider communication, the VHRC enables 25 horse and rider pairs to compete for $5,500 in cash and other prizes as they vie to see who can score the best run through a challenging obstacle course. Applications are due September 6. Don’t miss your chance to ride in this unique and exciting event! Here’s where to apply: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

Don’t own a horse or can’t bring yours to the event? We’ve got a competition for you! First introduced in 2023, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge returns on Saturday, November 9 at 3:00 pm in the GGT Arena in the Young Building. With two barnyard Olympic events to compete in, you can flex your barn rat muscles and compete for prizes and bragging rights in this fun and funny unmounted event. Sign ups for the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge will be available at the event! Want to learn more? Here’s where to go: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/great-equestrian-fitness-challenge/.

Love getting up close and personal with horses? Enjoy this sneak peek into some of Equine Affaire’s incredible interactive attractions:

• NEW! Enjoy a leisurely drive in historical style around the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in a gorgeous stagecoach, drawn by two massive black Percherons. Stagecoach rides can accommodate up to six people and will be available each day of the event for an extra fee.
• The ever-popular Drive a Draft activity will be back! Hosted in partnership with the Whispery Pines Percherons, attendees can learn how to ground drive a draft horse or a pair of draft horses under the supervision of expert drivers Sam and Kellie Rettinger! This activity is free with the price of admission, but sign-ups will be required at the event.
• If you want the full Equine Affaire experience, visit the Breed Pavilion! Brimming with horse breeds ranging from the familiar to the exotic, Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion is home to dozens of horses who serve as friendly and beautiful ambassadors for their breeds. Visitors can walk through the Breed Pavilion any time during the event and take selfies with the horses, meet their owners, and learn more about their registries and associations.
• You can meet even more horses by visiting the Horse & Farm Exhibits, which will be located in C-Barn! Walk through the aisles of the barn and learn about local horse businesses and service providers while you meet their horses. And while you’re there, make sure to visit the Adoption Affaire and learn about all of the horses available for adoption, or check out the sale horses!
• Are you new to horses and curious to learn about the basics? Check out the Equine Fundamentals Forum, which is a special corner of the event just for you where you can watch demos and presentations geared for novice horse lovers; enjoy hands-on exhibits like tail and mane braiding stations; learn about tack and other gear; and lots more. The “EFF” is also home to the College and Career Fair, where you can learn all about different horse-related careers and college degrees and get advice on how to pursue your dreams of employment in the horse industry.

In between clinics and visits to the barn, you’ll want to make time to enjoy an expansive trade show experience at Equine Affaire. It’s the perfect place to get a head start on that Christmas shopping list for all the equestrians in your life. With hundreds of vendors spread out across multiple buildings, you’ll be able to find everything you could possibly need or want to outfit your barn, supply your feed room, or furnish your tack room – not to mention decorate your home, fill the shelves of your equestrian library, or refresh your show apparel! For a current list of exhibitors, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-trade-show/mass-exhibitors/. And if you love thrifting or hunting for good deals on gently used horse items, you’ll want to check out The Marketplace, Equine Affaire’s own consignment shop where you can buy or sell secondhand horse-related items. For more information about the Marketplace, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-sell/mass-marketplace/!

Don’t forget to enter Equine Affaire’s free online raffle! Enter online or through the Western Edge app for a chance to win any number of fabulous prizes from companies like 100X Equine, October Design Equestrian Decor, Triple Crown Nutrition, Kelly Cosby Photography, US Equestrian, Zesterra by Pro Earth Animal Health, State Line Tack, and Equine Affaire. Here’s where to enter: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/mass-free-raffle/.

Would you like to earn free admission to Equine Affaire? We’re looking for volunteers just like you to help us in Massachusetts! Sign up by September 25 by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-help/mass-volunteer/.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; Fair Hill Saddlery; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Blue Seal; and Chewy. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

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LONDON, OH, July 18, 2024 – As the world’s top equestrian athletes gather in Paris next week to compete in front of the Palace of Versailles, will you be breathless with admiration – or brimming with renewed enthusiasm for your sport? Channel that inspiration into your own riding journey! Equine Affaire is proud to announce three thrilling equestrian opportunities tailor-made for riders just like you who want to level up their game. Whether your goal is to compete in the Olympics someday, become more confident and secure in the saddle on a daily basis, or dive into a whole new discipline, there’s a learning opportunity waiting for you in W. Springfield, Massachusetts, at the Eastern States Exposition on November 7-10. 

First, we invite you to Ride with a Pro! Sponsored by Fair Hill Saddlery, the Ride with a Pro clinic program offers unique opportunities for riders to receive individual instruction and training from many nationally recognized industry professionals. This fall’s coterie of elite equestrian professionals was carefully selected to participate in the Ride with a Pro program not just for their incredibly expansive knowledge of the industry, but also for their talent and abilities to connect with and teach riders from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of skills.  

Apply before September 6 for your opportunity to ride with, or have your horse trained by, one of the following: Guy McLean (colt starting), Chris Irwin (general training, horsemanship, HorseThink), Tik Maynard (eventing, general training), Ryan Rose (general training, horsemanship, ranch trail, trail obstacles), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Traci Brooks (hunter/jumper), Barbra Schulte (cutting), Marcie Quist (driving), Daniel Stewart (jumping, sport psychology), Ivy Starnes (easy gaited horses), Kevin Raber (reining), Ben Longwell (vaquero and ranch horse), Beth Baumert (dressage), Solange (Stable Riding), and the Renegades Drill Team (drill teams).  

With more than 50 clinics to choose from across four days, we guarantee you’ll find a clinic (or two!) to suit you and your horse. The fee for each clinic is $105 and includes clinic participation, event admission, 24 hours of stabling, and a free T-shirt. Visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-ride-in-clinics/mass-ride-with-a-pro/ today to apply. 

Next, are you ready to gear up for a challenge? Apply to ride in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, sponsored by Chewy. This wildly popular event is the ultimate test of horsemanship, athletic prowess, and communication between the horse and the rider. As each horse and rider team navigates the obstacle course, they’ll be judged on several horsemanship criteria as well as overall performance — and of course, time! It’s a race against the clock and each other in the pursuit of a championship title. Did we mention there’s $5,500 in cash and other prizes at stake? The top four finalists will receive cash prizes and rosettes, while the top ten will receive rosettes!  

The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition will be judged by Tik Maynard – an accomplished equestrian with an extensive list of national and world championships. The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will take place on Friday, November 8, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Applications are due by September 6. Please apply by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/!  

Finally, prepare to shine in the inaugural Equine Affaire Breed Bonanza, sponsored by Blue Seal! This thrilling new competition will showcase a wide variety of breeds and disciplines. All breeds are welcome to enter and ride against each other in this unique, under-saddle rail class. The class will be divided into a youth and adult section with up to 24 competitors in each section. Both gaited and non-gaited horses are welcome to apply. The class will be evaluated in both directions at three gaits (or the equivalent for gaited horses). A carefully curated panel of three judges will evaluate every horse and rider on quality of gaits, horsemanship, and of course, turnout. Polish your tack, practice your braiding, dust off your boots, and prepare to put your very best foot forward. We are looking for the standout horse and rider combination who will epitomize the cream of the crop. This competition will take place on Sunday, November 10, in the Coliseum. Apply at this link by September 6: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-breed-bonanza/.  

Are you ready to learn more about Equine Affaire? The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the show are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Fantasia requires separate tickets. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16-$27. Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Purchase your tickets here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-tickets/. 

Book a room with any one of our 2024 host hotel partners and take advantage of special rates and room blocks by mentioning Equine Affaire! See our host hotels here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/.  

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; Fair Hill Saddlery; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; LRP Matting; Zesterra by Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Chewy; and Blue Seal. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

LONDON, OH, July 8, 2024 – Equine Affaire is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Western Edge, a premier mobile app platform designed for the Western sports community. Starting July 10, horse lovers can purchase their tickets for the 2024 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and Fantasia through Western Edge’s user-friendly electronic ticketing system, available online and through a mobile app for iPhone and Android.  

“After converting our ticketing system to a digital format several years ago, we were looking forward to taking the logical next step into the world of mobile apps,” Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire, said. “Partnering with Western Edge will make the ticket purchase process even easier for our fans and give them another way to easily access event features and information at the show.” 

Starting July 10 at 9 am Eastern, advance tickets for the 2024 Equine Affaire and Fantasia in Massachusetts will go on sale for the first time via Western Edge. Attendees can purchase their tickets online, by phone, or through the mobile app. To buy tickets online, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-tickets/ and click “Order Here” to access the ticket purchasing portal through Western Edge. To purchase by phone or for assistance with ticket orders, attendees should call Western Edge Ticketing at (833) 329-3277. For the mobile app, navigate to the App Store (for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Androids) on your phone and download the Western Edge App for free. Once you’ve downloaded the app, create your own free Western Edge account and search for “Equine Affaire” to locate the ticket portal. Then you can purchase single-day general admission tickets or four-day general admission passes to Equine Affaire, and tickets to Fantasia –Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse evening event. Upon purchase, your tickets will be emailed to your inbox where you can print them. You can also save your tickets to your phone or mobile device.  

“In addition to the ticket purchase portal, we’re looking forward to using some of the creative amenities within the Western Edge app to enhance everyone’s experience of Equine Affaire and to create a fun new social community for our fans,” Long said.  

Within the Equine Affaire portal inside Western Edge, fans can learn more about the event; get help with ticket support; access trade show info; and preview the dates for next year’s events. As the event gets closer, more amenities will become available, such as access to the event schedule, clinician lists, and event maps, as well as fun interactive surprises, like a digital scavenger hunt and other ways to earn points and prizes on the app. But that’s not all! Starting July 10, fans will also be able to enter the official Equine Affaire raffle through the app. 

“The Equine Affaire raffle is a fan-favorite staple for our events. After all, who doesn’t love the opportunity to win free stuff for themselves and their horses?” Allison Rehnborg, Equine Affaire’s marketing coordinator, said. “We’re especially excited about the prizes up for grabs this fall, thanks to our generous raffle program partners.” 

The Equine Affaire raffle will officially open on July 10. Fans can enter online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/mass-free-raffle/ or by clicking on the raffle icon within the Western Edge app. After filling out a quick survey, participants will be entered for a chance to win fabulous prizes offered by some of the industry’s most popular brands. This year, enter for a chance to win: 

• A prize pack from 100X Equine consisting of a branded YETI Cooler containing 1 gallon of GutX, 1 gallon of Joint Flex, 1 gallon of Regen-X, and 1 gallon of Osteo-Max 

• One of two hand-crafted, leather-framed equestrian mirrors from October Design Equestrian Decor 

• One of two Triple Crown Nutrition prize packages consisting of 10 bags of Triple Crown feed 

• One of three $100 gift certificates to Kelly Cosby Photography 

• One US Equestrian prize package of US Equestrian-branded merchandise 

• One of ten pairs of single-day admission tickets to the 2025 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts 

It’s easy to enter, and participants do not need to be present to win. Entries will close on November 12, 2024, and winners will be notified by email or phone no later than November 30, 2024. Make sure to get your entries in! One entry per household, please. The raffle is open to residents of the United States, ages 18 or older as of November 12, 2024.  

Ready to learn more about Equine Affaire? The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the show are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Fantasia requires separate tickets. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16-$27. Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking.  

Book a room with any one of our 2024 host hotel partners and take advantage of special rates and room blocks by mentioning Equine Affaire! See our host hotels here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/.  

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; and Custom Equine Nutrition. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

 

 

LONDON, OH, June 19, 2024 – As your summer calendar fills with dates for horse shows and trail rides, here’s one more very important date for you to save: July 10! That’s the day advance tickets go on sale for Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and the Fantasia —Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Equine Affaire will return to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, accompanied by Fantasia on November 7-9. Circle the dates, bookmark equineaffaire.com, and prepare to claim your tickets to the quintessential equestrian experience when they go on sale at 9 am ET on July 10.

With all that Equine Affaire has to offer, there’s simply no better place to indulge your love for horses than North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering. Make your plans now to join us for an incredible four-day experience, filled with hundreds of topflight educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; the largest horse-related trade show in the east; exciting competitions; a new slew of interactive activities; and thousands of opportunities to admire horses of a variety of breeds and disciplines from all over the country. If you love horses, Equine Affaire is the place to be!

This fall’s educational program will be led by equestrian all-stars Guy McLean, Chris Irwin, Tik Maynard, and Ryan Rose, along with an assembly of exceptional equestrian educators in disciplines like hunter/jumpers, dressage, cutting, sports psychology, driving, jumping, easy gaited horses, draft horses, vaulting, mounted archery, and more. Additional clinicians and presenters will be announced in the months to come. Information about how to participate in a clinic through Equine Affaire’s highly popular Ride with a Pro clinic program will be released in July. Stay tuned to our website for more details!

Plan to top off your day of learning at Equine Affaire by attending a spectacular nighttime performance: Fantasia, a musical celebration of the horse! Sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a stunning theatrical showcase of talented riders, gorgeous horses, and fabulous music. This year’s event will feature acts that will inspire your dreams, bring tears to your eyes, and remind you of all the reasons you fell in love with horses. With just three evening performances on November 7-9, get your tickets early before they sell out!

Equine Affaire in Massachusetts will also feature three competitions: the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, and a brand-new contest, the Breed Bonanza! This exciting under saddle class will highlight a wide variety of breeds and disciplines as the best of the best vie for top honors in the Breed Bonanza. Featuring a section for youth riders and a section for adult riders, the first-ever Equine Affaire Breed Bonanza will take place on Sunday, November 10, at 11 am in the Coliseum. Entries are due September 6.

Love getting up close and personal with horses? We have a host of incredible interactive attractions lined up for this fall, including stagecoach rides, the ever-popular Drive a Draft activity, the Breed Pavilion, the Horse & Farm Exhibits, and the Adoption Affaire.

In addition to all kinds of educational and entertainment opportunities, you can enjoy an expansive trade show experience at Equine Affaire this fall and get a head start on that Christmas shopping list for all the equestrians in your life. With hundreds of vendors spread out across multiple buildings, it’s the perfect place to shop for what you need. And if you love thrifting or hunting for good deals on gently used horse items, you’ll want to check out The Marketplace, Equine Affaire’s own consignment shop where you can buy or sell secondhand horse-related items.

Ready to learn more about Equine Affaire? The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the show are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Fantasia requires separate tickets. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16-$27. Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking.

Book a room with any one of our 2024 host hotel partners and take advantage of special rates and room blocks by mentioning Equine Affaire! See our host hotels here.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; and Custom Equine Nutrition. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

 

LONDON, OH, April 25, 2024 – Along with tens of thousands of excited horse lovers, Equine Affaire proudly celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of its flagship event in Ohio on April 11-14, 2024. For four days, equestrians and equine enthusiasts gathered to ride, drive, exhibit, compete, shop, and adopt horses, not to mention talk about them, teach about them, and of course, admire them! The Ohio Expo Center in Columbus provided an expansive backdrop for an array of equine-centric activities, from clinics, seminars, and demonstrations to competitions to shopping marathons to the incredible nighttime show, Fantasia, which took place for three nights, April 11-13.  

The Ohio Expo Center has been home to Equine Affaire in Ohio since 1997; before that, Equine Affaire was produced at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton from 1994-1996. That means 2024 marks the thirtieth year that Equine Affaire has served as a mainstay of equestrian culture in the Midwest and beyond. 

“We had a wonderful time celebrating such an important anniversary in our home state,” said Coagi Long, president and owner of Equine Affaire. “Equine Affaire means so much to so many people, and our staff members are honored to be part of bringing the joy of horses to our attendees year after year. We’d like to say thank you to everyone who has supported our event over the years. It wouldn’t be Equine Affaire without all of you.” 

One of the biggest draws of any Equine Affaire is its educational program, which consists of hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by industry experts. This spring, Equine Affaire was pleased to host headliners Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy, as well as a slew of discipline-specific clinicians like seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton (eventing), Congress champion Kevin Raber (reining), Dave Treharne (roping), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Larry Keith (ranch sorting), Stacey Giere (driving), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), and many more. The educational program also featured presentations by veterinarians, equine business experts, authors, farriers, and lots more. 

Equine Affaire also expanded this spring’s clinic program by including a new educational feature, Cowtown in Cooper! Sponsored by Western Life Today, Cowtown in Cooper was an expansive two-day tour of cow-oriented Western disciplines that introduced horses, riders, and audiences to disciplines like ranch riding, ranch sorting, roping, reined cow horse, and others. Cowtown in Cooper provided a fascinating glimpse into cowboy culture for our Ohio audience and met with rave reviews from clinicians and attendees alike. It also marked the first time that cattle were on site for clinic work in ten years! The cattle were provided by Dave Treharne of Treharne’s Training Center in Negley, OH. The Cowtown clinician roster included Steve Lantvit, Dave Treharne, Ken McNabb, Larry Keith, and Kevin Raber. 

Another feature that drew rave reviews included the interactive Drive a Draft activity, presented by the owners and horses of Whispery Pines Percherons! Kellie and Sam Rettinger brought six gorgeous Percherons to the event to host Drive a Draft, to exhibit in breed demonstrations, and to perform in Fantasia. The Drive a Draft activity enables attendees to experience ground driving a single Percheron or a pair of Percherons in harness under the expert eye of the Rettingers. Participation is included with general admission, but the time slots for each activity always fill up quickly – and attendees who got to partake in the experience were unanimous in their enjoyment. 

“Thank you for including Whispery Pines Percherons and Drive A Draft,” one attendee wrote after the show. “It is a fantastic addition to Equine Affaire! I’ve been coming for 27 years and this was one of the best shows I have attended.” 

The Whispery Pines Percherons were also instrumental in helping present a special anniversary celebration surprise this year, teaming up with John May of May Farm Activities to bring in a stately stagecoach and a pair of May Farm Percherons to provide carriage rides to attendees on the grounds. The carriage rides proved to be incredibly popular, especially during the weekend when the weather was bright and sunny. 

On Friday of the event, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition – sponsored by Espana Silk – went off without a hitch in the US Equestrian Coliseum. Twenty-four horses and riders went through a challenging obstacle course that featured drags, jumps, mounted and unmounted maneuvers, gates, and more, but only one pair came out on top: Sidney Hawk and TJ Smokin Silverado! Sidney and TJ won the championship with a score of 64, taking home $2,500 in cash, a rosette, and a special prize pack from Espana Silk Grooming Products. The competition was judged by Steve Lantvit and the master of ceremonies was the official voice of Equine Affaire, Noah Rattner. The president of Equine Affaire, Coagi Long, and the owner and president of Espana Silk Grooming Products, Trudy Midas, presented Sidney and the remainder of the top ten placers with prizes. Adam Black and his gorgeous mule, Just June, came in second with a score of 59, winning $1,750; Randy McStoots and Docs Gay Gold Digger scored third place and received $1,000; and Kristin Fouty and Dun Got It Goin On won fourth place and won $250. For full results, please visit equineaffaire.com/press!  

First introduced at the 2023 Equine Affaire in Massachusetts, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge debuted in Ohio this spring on Saturday of the event and proved to be a tremendous hit. Attendees loved the opportunity to compete in the Bouncy Pony Race, the Horse Nugget Relay, and the Barn Chores Marathon, winning both medals and bragging rights. Sponsored by Boot Barn, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge is a fun and exciting competition that’s open to all attendees, no horses needed, and challenges competitors to flex their barn muscles and show off their talents at everyday barn chores like hauling hay, mucking stalls, carrying buckets, and more.  

The Equine Affaire Best Booth Award Contest also debuted in Ohio. The Best Booth Award Contest was designed to reward especially innovative or interesting booth designs of trade show, Breed Pavilion, and Horse and Farm exhibitors. The staff of Equine Affaire toured the show on Thursday to select the top five finalists, which were then posted on Equine Affaire’s official Facebook and Instagram profiles for audiences to vote for their favorites until Saturday of the show. When the votes were tallied, this year’s winner was Stable Riding at Horsehaven Stables, which was located in the Bricker Building. This booth inspired attendees to learn how to “ride more, fall less” with Solange’s Stable Riding System. Solange and her team demonstrated the basics of her Stable Riding System by inviting attendees into the booth to practice riding on Equicizers. Stable Riding at Horsehaven Stables’ booth was crowned with a Best Booth Award Banner, and they also received a credit toward next year’s exhibit space. Second place in the Best Booth Award Contest went to the US Trotting Association and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association booth in the Breed Pavilion, which featured a harness cart and a virtual reality headset that literally enabled attendees to “take the reins” and experience harness racing from the driver’s seat. Congratulations to all our finalists and honorable mentions!  

Over the course of the show, the ASPCA hosted its annual Adoption Affaire event for 32 horses from eight ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partner organizations as well as from the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center in Oklahoma. Each group brought along several adoptable horses, including riding horses, ponies, minis and companion horses and the ASPCA was present to support them and answer the public’s questions about equine adoption. The Adoption Affaire event resulted in 30 horses being adopted, including a special adoption by the owners of Equine Affaire adopting two sweet senior ponies Cookie and Abrilla, with pending adoptions for the two remaining horses.   

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 30 successful adoptions from this year’s Equine Affaire and are grateful for our ongoing collaboration with Equine Affaire to find loving homes for many more incredible horses,” said Cailin Caldwell, director of the ASPCA Right Horse program. “We encourage the horse-loving public to visit the Adoption Affaire at future events and in the meantime, meet adoptable horses nationwide at myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines.”

Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, returned for three nights only and showcased an incredible variety of performances by some of the nation’s top riders and performers. Sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Fantasia featured 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 John Squibb’s miniature horse hitch, a beautiful pas de deux act with Brendan Wise of Unbridled Wings and Kaleigh Marie of Braveheart Beasts, bridleless jumping by Brendan Wise, 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. The show also featured a jaw-dropping mounted archery performance by Equestrian Chaos, who were newcomers to Fantasia! This team of female mounted archers from Mobile, AL, channel the traditions and costumes of warriors of old while wowing audiences with their skills at shooting arrows upside down and backwards on horseback. Sergeants Jerry Paulsen and Nathan Lolley, accompanied by Bauke K of Miley Friesians, also opened each evening with a moving tribute to fallen soldiers, including prisoners of war and those missing in action. Just as it has been for decades, Fantasia proved to be the perfect way to end a horse-filled day spent at Equine Affaire for thousands of our attendees!  

If you missed this year’s event, we invite you to save the dates for our next two Equine Affaires. Equine Affaire will be at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024, and at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, on April 10-13, 2025. 

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, Boot Barn, Pro Earth Animal Health, Espana Silk Grooming Products, and Best Sand Equestrian Sand. 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! 

COLUMBUS, OH, April 13, 2024 – A very special congratulations is in order for Sidney Hawk and TJ Smokin Silverado, our newly-crowned champions of the 2024 Ohio Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! Sidney and TJ “smoked” the competition and won with 64 points in a class of 24 horses and riders. This spring’s event was sponsored by Espana Silk Grooming Products.

 

Sidney Hawk and TJ Smokin Silverado, 8 year old American Quarter Horse gelding 

Sidney started TJ when the gelding was a two-year-old, and they’ve been together ever since. Sidney is currently attending the University of Findlay as a double major in equine business management and equine Western studies, with a minor in marketing. She has been riding horses since she was just five years old, and they’re her passion in life. After graduation, she wants to be a horse trainer and run her own business from her farm. This is her second time competing in the VHRC; last year, she placed in the top ten with Zippo’s Blue Sky. She came back to try it again, this time with TJ.

“I want to give my show horse a chance to show what he can do!” Sidney said.

You certainly did, Sidney, and TJ did not disappoint! Sidney won the championship, $2,500 in cash, a beautiful rosette, and a special prize pack from our title sponsor, Espana Silk Grooming Products. The competition was judged by Steve Lantvit and the master of ceremonies was the official voice of Equine Affaire, Noah Rattner. The president of Equine Affaire, Coagi Long, and the owner and president of Espana Silk Grooming Products, Trudy Midas, presented Sidney and the remainder of the top ten placers with prizes.

Here is the complete list of official 2024 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition Results.

1. Sidney Hawk, TJ Smokin Silverado, Score: 64
2. Adam Black, Just June, Score: 59
3. Randy McStoots, Docs Gay Gold Digger, Score: 54.5
4. Kristin Fouty, Dun Got It Goin On, Score: 54.5
5. Wendy Montgomery, SF Distinguished Gentleman, Score: 47.5
6. Marissa Filbrun, Hancocks Lucky Draw, Score: 44.5
7. Kelley Forster, Jolene, Score: 44.5
8. Myron Martin, Newt, Score: 44
9. Charli Cuvelier, Sweet Baby Jesus, Score: 42.5
10. Natalie Vizard, Posie, Score 41
11. Taryn Homier, Docs Genuine Show, Score: 39.5
12. Amy Bailey, Lucy Lu, Score: 37.5
13. Diana Tomes, Rowan, Score: 37.5
14. Katie Finley, Travel Gun, Score: 36.5
15. Robin Ball, Bentley, Score: 33
16. Miranda Roesel, Shamrock, Score: 33
17. Kat Weigand, WHR Tiny Dancer, Score: 32
18. Bella Sweigard, Shelby Dreaming, Score: 31.5
19. Olivia Giuffrida, Tiny, Score: 26
20. Kiersten Bradley, Flo Dun It Again, Score: 23.5
21. Kelsey Spencer, Raggedy Ann, Score: 21
22. Kayla Schlabach-Bossler, Masquerade, Score: DQ
23. Jessica Mammel, Fancy Lik That, Score: DQ
24. Tori Bromme, I’m Going to Ace This, Score: Timed Out

Congratulations to all of our incredible competitors. We’re very proud of you and look forward to seeing you again in the future! Official competition photos are by Winslow Photography and will be made available online within a few weeks of the show. Contact arehnborg@equineaffaire.com for more information or a direct link to the photo gallery.

 

LONDON, OH, April 8, 2024 – For the staff, crew, and connections of Equine Affaire, “elevating the equestrian experience since 1994” is more than our tag line. It’s a faithful summary of our grounding mission, and we are proud to serve the people and horses of our industry through our events, which include educational programs, networking opportunities, adoption events, interactive activities, and more. This week, on April 11-14 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Equine Affaire will mark the 30^th anniversary of our flagship event in Ohio with four days of exciting activities, all centered around horses and horse people.

In addition to celebrating this milestone event, Equine Affaire is proud to announce its selection as a finalist for the Equine Industry Vision Award, which is presented by American Horse Publications and sponsored by Zoetis. The Equine Industry Vision Award is given annually in recognition of outstanding leadership, creativity, and meritorious contribution toward positive changes in the equine industry. This year’s class of finalists includes Equine Affaire, Glenn Hebert, The United States Pony Clubs, Inc, and #WeRideTogether.

“We are honored to be finalists for this prestigious award alongside such outstanding individuals and organizations,” says Coagi Long, president and owner of Equine Affaire. “From our attendees to our presenters to our volunteers and staff, everyone who comes to Equine Affaire every year comes to celebrate the horse and to elevate the industry. We’re proud to have been working for the horse industry for thirty years, and we look forward to spending another thirty years promoting and serving the horse. Being selected as a finalist for the Vision Award is a wonderful way to kickstart our celebrations this week.”

The 2024 Equine Affaire in Ohio will include all the mainstays and activities that our fans and attendees have come to know and love, plus a selection of new and exciting features in honor of an extra-special anniversary. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new this spring:

• Cowtown in Cooper, sponsored by Western Life Today, is a brand-new educational feature that will launch on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13! Some of the industry’s most cow-savvy clinicians, including Steve Lantvit, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and Tanner Keith, will present clinics on a variety of cow-oriented Western disciplines in the Cooper Arena. Horses and riders in the clinics will have the opportunity to work with cattle under the expert guidance and tutelage of these clinicians, while audience members will learn valuable lessons about working with cattle, as well as practical methods for continuing their skills at home sans cattle. For a full schedule of Cowtown clinics, review the event schedule today: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-educational-program/ohio-presenters/.
• The Best Booth Award Contest launched at our 2023 Massachusetts event, and we are proud to bring it to Ohio so that we can recognize the hard work of our trade show’s most outstanding exhibitors. The Best Booth Award Contest will begin on Thursday as soon as the photos and names of five finalists are published on Equine Affaire’s Facebook and Instagram profiles. Once posted, it’s up to the audience to vote for their favorite booth display. On Saturday at noon, the votes will be tallied and we’ll announce the winner. The winner will receive a credit toward next year’s exhibit space, as well as the honor of displaying an official Best Booth Award banner over their booth space. To learn about the winner of our 2023 Best Booth Award Contest, click here for our exclusive interview: https://youtu.be/xla2fKdCn9I!
• The Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Boot Barn, is coming to Ohio! This exciting competition will take place on Saturday at 3 pm in the GGT Arena in the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center. Attendees can sign up to compete in one of three activities – a Barn Chores Marathon, a Bouncy Pony Race, or a Horse Nugget Relay – to win prizes and bragging rights! Whether you want to enter or just cheer on your friends, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge is a must-see. It’s free to sign up, and no horses are needed. Visit the Equine Affaire Information Booth in the Bricker Building any time prior to the competition to sign up for a slot.
• The Whispery Pines Percherons are offering stagecoach rides daily during the event, from 12 pm to 4 pm, on the east side of the Voinovich! Enjoy a scenic stagecoach ride around the grounds and see the Ohio Expo Center like never before – from behind a pair of gorgeous horses. Rides are $10 per person or $50 per six people for a private ride. Children, ages 5 and under, ride for free with an adult.
• Equine Affaire is proud to announce our Celebrity Horse In Residence, GG Kiss Me Kate! Owned by Samantha Hull-Crook, this gorgeous Gypsy Vanner mare has won 42 Supreme Champion titles, including 3 National Supreme Titles. She is the only mare to win a National Supreme and she is the only horse to have won a National Supreme title more than once. Kiss Me Kate will be in the Breed Pavilion as well as in the Horse and Farm Exhibits. She will also participate in a special Celebrity Horse Showcase, which will take place once a day in various arenas around the event. Consult your event schedule for your chance to see Kiss Me Kate in action!
• In honor of our anniversary, 3,000 lucky guests at this year’s event will receive a special voucher upon arrival, good for 25% off one item of Affaire Wear! Affaire Wear is available for sale at the Equine Affaire Information Booth in the Bricker Building. Arrive early to increase your chances of receiving one of these special vouchers, and then make sure to redeem it at the Information Booth so you can celebrate Equine Affaire all year round.
• Love raffles? You’re in luck! Equine Affaire is hosting a free online raffle before the event. Enter the raffle online and you could win one of several great prizes: a $500 gift certificate to Zero Proof Horse Treats, a travel fence from Greystone USA, a $100 gift certificate to Bronco Western Supply Co, an equestrian-themed mirror from October Design Equestrian Decor, a prize package from US Equestrian, or tickets to next year’s event! Entries are accepted through April 15, 2024, at https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-win/ohio-free-raffle/.

For a full list of activities, features, exhibitors, and competitions, visit our website and review our official event program, which is available online at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/44770363#/44770363/1.

Everyone is invited to join us at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, April 11-14, and tickets are on sale now! Single day tickets and four-day passes for Equine Affaire are available for purchase here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/tickets/. Crown your day at Equine Affaire in style by attending one of three performances of Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm in the Coliseum. Separate tickets are required for Fantasia. This year, for three nights only, Fantasia will feature an incredible lineup of performers, including the Whispery Pines Percherons, Braveheart Beasts, Kevin Raber, Lauren Sammis, Unbridled Wings, the Young Guns Drill Team, Bethany & Rider Kiesner, and many more.

If you have more questions or need to get in touch with our staff, there are plenty of ways to reach out to us! Bookmark our website (www.equineaffaire.com), follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire, or call our office at (740) 845-0085, 9:00am-5:00pm EST (M-F). We can’t wait to see you at Equine Affaire!

LONDON, OH, April 4, 2024 – The competition we’ve been anxiously awaiting all this time is almost here! On Friday, April 12, starting at 1:30 pm, our riders will step into the US Equestrian Arena, prepared to ride their best in the 2024 Ohio Versatile Horse and Rider Competition as they compete for $5,500 in cash and other prizes! Join us on Friday, April 12, at Equine Affaire and cheer for all our incredible competitors. This spring’s competition is sponsored by Espana Silk!  

In this post, meet the final set of talented competitors who will join the race at North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering. 

Kiersten Bradley and Flo Dun It Again, 4 year old Kiger Mustang mare 

Kiersten purchased “Flo” as an unbroken 3-year-old and started her under saddle in May of 2022. After two years together, Kiersten says that Flo is the most rewarding horse she’s ever worked with. 

“Flo has such a big heart and tries so hard at everything I ask of her,” Kiersten says. “I was chosen to compete with Flo last year, but found out I was pregnant, so one of my friends competed instead. I am super excited to compete on her this year!”

Robin Ball and Bentley, 10 year old Appaloosa gelding  

Robin Ball and Bentley have been together for eight years, trail riding and riding recreationally. But when they competed in last year’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, something changed for Robin – in a good way! 

“I’ve always grown up with horses and ridden every chance I could, but last year’s competition made riding an everyday event,” Robin says. “I found so much joy in training, competing, and growing an even closer bond with Bentley. I was humbled to see how my community supported, encouraged, and cheered me on. It was awesome to watch them get excited about my equine passion. Several even came to watch!” 

Encouraged by her experiences, Robin decided to make riding and spending time with Bentley her mission in life. 

“I didn’t want to go back to just riding when I had time. I wanted to ride all the time. I wanted to share the joy I have in the saddle with the world, or at least my community,” Robin says. 

Robin and Bentley began sharing “all things equine” with their community, riding in parades and performing demonstrations at vacation Bible schools, summer camps, schools, and other festivals and fairs in their area. But Robin didn’t stop there. 

“I have opened our farm up so that people have a place to come and experience the joy and peace horses lend to us,” she says. “Equine Affaire has always been a place that holds special memories for me as a child, but for the adult I’m growing into, it has sparked a fire and opened doors and given me the courage to build my everyday life around these magnificent creatures and to share their beauty and joy with my community. I am so excited to see what opportunities are ahead of Bentley and me!” 

Sidney Hawk and Tj Smokin Silverado, 8 year old American Quarter Horse gelding 

Sidney started TJ when the gelding was a two-year-old, and they’ve been together ever since. Sidney is currently attending the University of Findlay as a double major in equine business management and equine Western studies, with a minor in marketing. She has been riding horses since she was just five years old, and they’re her passion in life. After graduation, she wants to be a horse trainer and run her own business from her farm. This is her second time competing in the VHRC; last year, she placed in the top ten with Zippo’s Blue Sky. Now she’s back to try it again, this time with TJ.  

“I want to give my show horse a chance to show what he can do!” Sidney says. 

Taryn Homier and Docs Genuine Snow, 14 year old American Quarter Horse mare 

Taryn and “Snowy” have been a team since 2013, when the mare was 3 and Taryn was 16. They’ve accomplished a lot in their time together, including many year-end Quarter Pony of the Year awards, achieving her NQPA Championship, versatility awards, and Trail Challenge winner. They’ve also traveled a lot and gone trail riding in a variety of environments. 

“Snowy is one of the quietest horses that I have ever ridden,” Taryn says. “She will take anything scary in stride. We’ve developed a bond on how to overcome scary obstacles, with patience and reassurance that I would never put her into a position that would harm her.” 

But in addition to the high points of their journey, they’ve encountered their share of low points, too – including the lowest point in 2020, when Snowy contracted an unknown illness that caused neurological symptoms and instability on her feet.  

“A week at OSU led to no answers, but she was eating fine, so they said to take her home and give her a chance,” Taryn remembers. “I was the one to give her daily injections and IV infusions. She eventually stabilized and, in the fall of 2021, I decided to see how she would handle being ridden again. She came back as if she never stopped, so I have decided we are going to ride like we don’t have tomorrow, because having her still here with me is the biggest blessing. We would love for a chance to compete in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition to showcase that no matter how much you think stands in your way, or how many times life knocks you down, you can get back up and succeed!”

Tori Bromme and I’m Going to Ace This, 5 year old Mustang gelding 

A young horse trainer based in Dayton, OH, Tori adopted “Ace” in late July of 2023 and started him under saddle the following month. She’s training the Mustang to compete in eventing, but they’re also competing in local ranch shows and working toward learning to drive.  

Tori has competed in two Extreme Mustang Makeovers in the past two years. She has been starting mustangs for almost 3 years now. She finally decided she was going to take on her own mustang to showcase the breed and versatility of mustangs, and that’s how she ended up adopting Ace. Tori and Ace have enjoyed jumping, trail riding, ranch riding, and trick training.  

“Ace has proven to be too smart for his own good, athletic, quite stubborn, and very sweet,” Tori says, adding that she has big goals for Ace to be a breed ambassador for the American Mustang.

Wendy Montgomery and SF Distinguished Gentleman, 19 year old Rocky Mountain gelding 

Wendy and “Rocky” are familiar faces in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, easily identifiable thanks to Rocky’s flashy good looks. They’ve been selected to compete in five VHRCs, placed third in last spring’s VHRC, and are back to ride again!  

The pair have been partners for sixteen years and enjoy a variety of disciplines, including obstacle challenges, Western, endurance, trail, and more. In the last ten years, they’ve competed in obstacle competitions in nine different states and traveled over 7,000 miles together. But Wendy says the VHRC holds a special place in her heart, and she’s excited to come back. 

“I love this event and all the anticipation and excitement it brings,” she says. “It pushes my horsemanship skills to their absolute maximum, and I love that.  When I enter the arena, it’s not about beating my competition: it’s about the partnership I have with Rocky.  I really think he loves the crowd and loves when people cheer for him.  Rocky is my heart horse, [and] there will never be another like him. I know my time riding in competitions like this with him is growing to a close, so I want to make as many memories as possible.  I love sharing him with the world and he loves meeting new people!” 

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. 

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