03 16

Cancellation of 2020 Equine Affaire in Ohio

Equine Affaire Attendees, Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Participants,

It is with great sadness and disappointment that we announce the Equine Affaire scheduled to take place April 2-5 at the Ohio Expo Center has been cancelled. This cancellation is based upon the evolving COVID-19 virus threat that is sweeping not only our state and nation, but the globe. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health have issued an executive order prohibiting mass gatherings and events from taking place within the State of Ohio until further notice as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

The staff and management of Equine Affaire highly value the health and well-being of all who enthusiastically support Equine Affaire from year to year, and this cancellation is not something that we take lightly. Details will be forthcoming regarding refunds, exchanges and plans for moving forward. Updates will be posted on equineaffaire.com by March 25th. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to finalize plans for our patrons.

Looking forward, we encourage you to mark your calendars as we will be returning to the Ohio Expo Center April 8-11, 2021 and to W. Springfield, MA, on November 12-15, 2020, bringing you the nation’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. We are all in this together and wish the best of health and well-being to all as we navigate the unique and challenging times before us.

Read More
03 02

Embrace the Equestrian Experience

Share the magic of Equine Affaire with your family and friends!

This spring, pamper the horse lover in your family with tickets to North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. On April 2-5, 2020, tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts will gather at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, for four days of horse-filled activities at Equine Affaire. With tickets at just $15/day per adult and discount and free tickets available for kids, there’s no better place to bring the whole family to discover the magical world of the horse. At Equine Affaire, you can experience the joy of riding horses for the first time with special ride-a-horse events, learn all about horses from the industry’s top experts and trainers, and shop for your perfect horse accessories at the largest horse-themed trade show in the Midwest.

To purchase tickets, visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085. General admission tickets for adults are $15/day or $50/four-day pass. Tickets for children, ages 7-10, are $8/day, and children ages 6 and under receive free admission. With Equine Affaire’s new digital ticket delivery methods, entry at the event is hassle-free! After purchase, electronic tickets will be delivered to you via email. Store electronic tickets on your mobile device for scanning upon arrival at the event or print your own at home. Hours for the event are 9 am to 7 pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Please note the Ohio Expo Center charges for parking.

For the price of general admission, you can attend all clinics, seminars and demonstrations, visit dozens of specially themed pavilions and exhibits, browse acres of vendors at the Equine Affaire trade show, and cheer on horses and riders in multiple competitions throughout the weekend. Special hands-on activities, such as Ride A Haflinger, are also included. Be sure to visit the Ohio Haflinger Association booth in the Breed Pavilion to sign up for your chance to ride a unique breed of horse known as the Haflinger. Veterans, active-duty soldiers and first responders, visit the Operation Horses & Heroes, Inc. booth in the Breed Pavilion to sign up for A Horse for Heroes, a special opportunity for you to experience the benefits of equine-assisted activities for the first time.

Equine Affaire also presents two brand-new events this year. In addition to the annual Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, Equine Affaire will host the International Liberty Horse Association Freestyle Invitational and the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program Challenge. First, don’t miss the excitement of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, which will take place Friday, April 3 in the Coliseum. More than two dozen horse-and-rider pairs will compete to see who can complete a timed obstacle course with the fewest penalties in the shortest amount of time. Then explore the ILHA Freestyle Invitational, which showcases the special performances of liberty trainers and their horses, and the Mustang TIP Challenge, which features a two-part event where trainers will gentle untamed mustangs right before your eyes. Catch the prelims of the ILHA Freestyle Invitational and the Mustang TIP Challenge on Friday, April 3, and then stay for the finals for both events on Saturday, April 4.

When you purchase your tickets for Equine Affaire, be sure to buy separate digital tickets for Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse! Performances of Fantasia will take place in the Coliseum at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of the event. No day at Equine Affaire is complete without experiencing the Fantasia, an evening filled with incredible equine performances set to various types of popular music. Sponsored by Absorbine, the Fantasia will feature liberty routines, freestyles, comedic performances, thrilling drill team demonstrations, and a breathtaking display of speed and fire by the exotic Icelandic ponies and their riders. Tickets for Fantasia range from $14-$25 and are available online at equineaffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085. Like your Equine Affaire general admission tickets, Fantasia tickets will be delivered to your email after purchase.

Make your hotel reservations for Equine Affaire early by visiting our list of host hotels, available online at equineaffaire.com. Mention Equine Affaire when you make the reservation to get special discounted rates. For more information about the event, including a full schedule, call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday, or go online to equineaffaire.com. We’ll see you in Columbus!

Read More
02 20

Never Stop Learning at Equine Affaire

Hone your horsemanship skills by learning from the best at Equine Affaire in Ohio.

With education at its heart and the equine industry as its canvas, there’s no better place to learn more about horses than Equine Affaire. In addition to educational forums and interactive exhibits designed to educate youth and beginners, Equine Affaire offers a robust schedule of educational clinics, demonstrations and seminars for equestrians from every discipline and skill level. Plan your trip to Columbus, Ohio, today to visit the Ohio Expo Center on April 2-5, 2020, for the opportunity to learn firsthand from some of the industry’s best and brightest clinicians during Equine Affaire.

This year’s event showcases the knowledge and talents of Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard, Lynn Palm, Jonath Robles and Jim Thomas, plus dozens of other discipline-specific clinicians. With clinics covering everything from general training and horsemanship to core strengthening and yoga for horses, there’s a session for everyone. Best of all, attendance for all clinics is included in the price of general admission – just $15/day for adults or $50 for a four-day pass, while tickets for children (7-10) are $8/day and children six-and-under attend for free. Purchase your tickets today by visiting equineaffaire.com and enjoy the added convenience of new digital ticket delivery.

At Equine Affaire in Ohio, make sure to attend one of Jonathan Field’s sessions on general training and horsemanship. When he isn’t at home on his ranch north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Jonathan Field travels throughout North America sharing his “Inspired by Horses” horsemanship program and working with students of all riding levels. Though his initial equestrian pursuits were within the English realm, he transitioned years ago to become a working cowboy. Following an industrial accident at the age of only 19, horses played a crucial role in Field’s recovery—both physically and mentally. This tragedy cemented his dedication to horses and his desire to “give back to the world of horses” by building his career around them and sharing what he has learned.

Craig Cameron’s motivational and entertaining speaking style focuses on the training principles of patience and understanding. A life-long rancher, working cowboy and horse trainer, Craig Cameron has developed a keen understanding of the Western lifestyle and discipline. After years of bull riding on the professional rodeo circuit and successfully operating his cattle business, Cameron decided to give something back to the horse by devoting his time and talents to training horses. By honing his horsemanship skills and conducting clinics throughout North America and beyond, Cameron has become a household name in the horse industry. His work has earned him the prestigious American Cowboy Culture Working Cowboy of the Year award. Currently Cameron can be found hosting a horse training program as well as his Extreme Cowboy Races on RFD-TV and at equine venues throughout the country and working on his Double Horn Ranches in Bluff Dale, TX, and Lincoln, NM.

Although Warwick Schiller grew up riding Quarter Horses in Australia, he has called the United States home for almost thirty years. An accomplished reining competitor, Schiller has multiple championship titles in the United States and Australia, including being a member of the 2010 and 2018 Australian Reining Teams at the World Equestrian Games. In addition to training his own horses, Schiller is passionate about working with riders from all disciplines to help them improve their communication and relationship with their horse. In 2012, he began to record his training methods for everything from starting young horses to retraining problem horses. Originally started on a YouTube channel, the Warwick Schiller Performance Horsemanship Online Video Library now hosts more than 500 videos and 300 hours of training footage with more than 20 million views. Though his home base is in Hollister, CA, Schiller spends a lot of time on the road conducting clinics throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Eventer and natural horsemanship advocate Tik Maynard is a fifth generation equestrian from Vancouver, Canada. He spent his youth riding in Pony Club, where he got involved in Tetrathlon, a sport that incorporates running, swimming, shooting, and riding. He eventually found his way to Modern Pentathlon competitions, which include all of the sports that make up Tetrathlons, plus fencing. Maynard spent six years competing in the Modern Pentathlon on the Canadian National Team and was a member of the Canadian team at the 2007 Pan American Games, three World Championships, and eleven World Cups before focusing his competitive sights on eventing. He was long-listed for the Canadian eventing team for the 2012 London Olympics and is currently long-listed for the national eventing team. Maynard conducts eventing and natural horsemanship clinics throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

For 50 years, Lynn Palm has championed the partnership of horse and rider. An international clinician, she travels extensively from her facilities at Fox Grove Farm in Ocala, FL, where she and her husband, Cyril Pittion-Rossillon, teach the fundamentals of their Palm Equestrian Academy. Palm is an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judge and holds her USEF R Western Dressage judges license. Continuing to compete in both United States Dressage Federation and Western Dressage Association of America shows, her competition record is second to none. Palm was a special guest performer at the 1996 Olympics and was named 2000 AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2003, she was the recipient of Equine Affaire’s Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award, and she was titled Horsewoman of the year in 2007 by the American Quarter Horse Association. Palm presented as a clinician and entertainer at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals.

Like many trainers, Jonath Robles grew up with a passion for horses. Though he put his passion on hold to attend the University of Oregon and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, his education ultimately influenced his training methods. Robles researched why certain people were more successful in life than others — namely due to opportunity, education, and having the right connections — and implemented those ideas into the world of horses. Out of his J. R. Horse Training in Newberg, OR, Robles specializes in colt starting, western dressage, reining, and working with “problem” horses. After being exposed to horse trainers that used a lot of old school cowboy training methods, which seemed more cruel than effective in his eyes, Robles became fascinated with natural horsemanship, and now uses it as the driving teaching method in his training. When he’s not training or teaching clinics, Robles enjoys competing in colt starting competitions. Robles was named the Colt Starting Reserve Champion during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2016.

Jim Thomas has spent his entire life surrounded by horses, but it wasn’t until his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2007 that he began training horses full-time. That same year, he competed in his first Extreme Mustang Makeover, which became a pivotal point in his horsemanship journey. After training that mustang, Thomas earned a reputation for being able to work with wild or difficult horses. He has trained almost 100 mustangs since then and continues to compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover every year. Outside of working with horses and riders of all disciplines on his ranch in Pittsboro, NC, Thomas conducts clinics, writes articles for Southeast Equine and Carolina Hoofbeats, and is currently working on a book. He has also served in various positions as a North Carolina Horse Council Executive Board Member and is a member of the Chatham County Equine Advisory Board.

Attendees at the 2020 Equine Affaire in Ohio will also have the opportunity to learn from:

  • Jonathon Millar, hunter/jumper
  • Jeremy Steinberg, dressage
  • Kevin Oliver, reining & trail
  • Tik Maynard, eventing
  • Kristin Weaver-Brown, barrel racing
  • Liz Austin, dressage
  • Heidi Potter, Centered Riding®
  • Lynn Palm, western dressage
  • Rick Christy, Western horsemanship & hunter under saddle
  • Suzy Stafford, driving
  • Simon Cocozza, core strengthening & yoga for horses
  • Gary Lane, easy gaited horses
  • Sarah Track, saddleseat
  • Jerry Paulsen, veteran equine assisted activities
  • Paul Garrison, mules
  • Heidi McLaughlin, overcoming fear
  • The Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team, drill teams
  • The 6th Ohio Mounted Buglers and 2nd Cavalry Brigade, mounted cavalry

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now at equineaffaire.com. After purchase, electronic tickets will be delivered via email. Store your electronic ticket on your phone for scanning upon arrival or print at home and present your printed tickets at the gate. For additional information about Equine Affaire, including demo schedules, host hotels, and more, visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Read More
02 13

Equine Affaire Podcast #7

In this episode, we talk to Loretta Weber, who has participated in the Ride with a Pro clinic program at Equine Affaire many times. Loretta lives in Burlington, New Jersey, and raises and trains American Paint Horses and American Quarter Horses. Loretta enjoys trail rides, trail challenges, ranch riding, ranch pleasure, dressage, hunters, and gymkhanas. Through Ride with a Pro, Loretta has ridden with Julie Goodnight, Steve Lantvit and Lynn Palm.

Interested in participating in the Ride With A Pro clinic program at Equine Affaire? Hurry! Applications are due on Friday, February 14. Application materials are available online here.

General admission tickets to Equine Affaire (available online here) include auditing of hundreds of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations scheduled for April 2-5, 2020 at the Ohio Expo Center!

Read More
02 05

Equine Affaire Podcast #6

In this episode we talk to Michele Sumner about exhibiting in the Breed Pavilion.

Michele is from Brunswick, Ohio, and has attended multiple Equine Affaire events. Her first experience at Equine Affaire as an active participant was in Massachusetts in 2016, when she assisted at the Gypsy Vanner Horse booth. Michele is the proud owner of a 3-year-old registered Gypsy Vanner mare named Sugar Hill Ailish West, and she has exhibited with Ailish in the Breed Pavilion at Equine Affaire twice. Hear all about what you can find in the Breed Pavilion at Equine Affaire.

To learn more about the Breed Pavilion at Equine Affaire, and view a list of participating breeds, click here. If you’re interested in exhibiting in the Breed Pavilion, please click here or contact Karin Brennan at (740) 845-0085 ext. 112 or kbrennan@equineaffaire.com.

General admission tickets to Equine Affaire (available online here) include admission to the Breed Pavilion and all other specialty pavilions along with the hundreds of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations scheduled for April 2-5, 2020 at the Ohio Expo Center!

Read More
02 03

Share the Equestrian Experience: Showcase Your Horse & Farm at Equine Affaire in Ohio

If you own horses, you already understand the special nature of the connection between horses and humans. At Equine Affaire, you can share the equestrian experience with people from all walks of life, including those who have never had the opportunity to love a horse like you do. By presenting at the Horse & Farm Exhibit, you can interact with tens of thousands of horse lovers and share all about your horse, your farm or your equestrian business. There’s no better place to share your love of horses than at North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. Bring your horses and reunite with your equine community on April 2-5, 2020, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Every year, the Horse & Farm Exhibits present visitors with a glimpse into the wide world of horses by showcasing a variety of breeds, from the familiar to the fascinating. This year’s event includes horses ranging in size from majestic Clydesdales to adorable ponies and miniature donkeys. In addition to promotional booths, breed exhibits and horses for sale, the Horse & Farm Exhibit includes the Adoption Affaire. Participating in the Horse & Farm Exhibits is easy, economical and fun, and there are multiple ways for equine businesses to participate in one of Equine Affaire’s most popular exhibits.

Reserve your Horse & Farm stall today and come prepared to decorate your stall front or aisle with celebratory banners, awards and photos to promote your horse or farm. Located in the Gilligan Complex, Horse & Farm stalls are priced as follows: inline stalls, $150; end stalls on the center aisle of the barn, $175; and end stalls on the outer aisle of the barn, $200. All stalls are 10×10 and include a one-line listing of the stall number, horse breed and phone number (or website) on the Equine Affaire website before the event and in the official event program during the event. Applications and payment must be received by the Equine Affaire office by 2/28/2020. Exhibitors should commit to presenting for at least three days. Interested parties can also take advantage of possible participation options with Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion.

Bring your horses for sale to Equine Affaire. Marked by orange tags at the event, the For Sale stalls are a popular part of the Horse & Farm Exhibits. For $150, you can house your horse for sale in a 10×10 inline stall in the Gilligan Complex. All For Sale stalls include a sign to post on the stall and a free listing pre-event on equineaffaire.com. You must commit to exhibiting your horse at least two days of the event, and if your horse is sold, you may substitute another horse. Potential buyers, age 18 and over, may test ride your horse at the event with the proper releases. Find your horse’s next perfect home at Equine Affaire!

Equine Affaire is proud to promote the missions of equine rescues, sanctuaries, and The Right Horse Initiative, and provide a special way for horses in need to find new owners through the Adoption Affaire. Adoption stalls are $150 for a 10 x 10 stall in the Gilligan Complex. Each stall includes a green “Adoption Affaire” sign to post on the stall and a free listing, pre-event, on the Equine Affaire website that provides the horse’s breed, age, gender, name, discipline, price, photo and stall location. Adoption participants should commit to exhibiting their horse for at least two days of the event.

All stalls include one 4-day adult ticket ($50 value). Tack stalls are also available for $100. Showcase your horse and farm at Equine Affaire—the place where all breeds, all disciplines, and all facets of the equine industry come together to celebrate the horse! For more information about participating at Equine Affaire in Ohio, contact Karin Brennan at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112, or email kbrennan@equineaffaire.com. You can also visit equineaffaire.com for more information.

Read More
01 23

Fall in Love with Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s Musical Celebration of the Horse

If you love horses, music and a good time, then Fantasia is the show for you! Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse combines the talents of the world’s best equestrian performers with the magic of music to create one of the horse industry’s most beloved traditions. Purchase advance tickets online today at equineaffaire.com to claim your seat at one of just three performances of Fantasia, happening nightly from April 2-4, 2020, during Equine Affaire at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

After a day spent enjoying the sights and sounds of Equine Affaire in Ohio, let Fantasia thrill you with the wonders of an equestrian’s dream brought to life. From bridleless dressage freestyles to exciting drill team routines, this year’s Fantasia promises to delight equestrians of all ages with a medley of equestrian performances. Third-generation circus performer and equestrian Jenny Vidbel will perform one of her most popular liberty routines, featuring eighteen horses and ponies. Dressage fans will love the elegance and precision of Cedar Potts’ bridleless dressage freestyle, while Caleb Carinci will defy gravity with a vaulting routine. Nate Eicher’s comical freestyle showcases the talents and abilities of his Mustangs, and the Jerry Diaz Family will add a touch of Spanish flair to the show. If you love speed, the Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team and the Red Rock Riders Drill Team will set your heart to pounding with their speedy turns and elaborate drill patterns. Finally, the Knights of Iceland will set fire to the Coliseum – quite literally – with their band of speedy Icelandic ponies, sharing a glimpse into the myths and wonders of Iceland. The doors to the Coliseum open nightly at 6:45 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm.

Equine Affaire returns to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio on April 2-5, 2020. General admission tickets for Equine Affaire and advance tickets for Fantasia, priced from $14 to $25, are available now at equineaffaire.com. Purchase your tickets online to enjoy Equine Affaire’s new hassle-free digital ticket delivery. Print tickets at home or present them on your mobile device to be scanned for easy entry to both events. You can also purchase tickets for both events by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, any time between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Equine Affaire proudly acknowledges Absorbine® as the official sponsor of Fantasia. Visit the Absorbine® booth in the trade show during your visit to Equine Affaire in Ohio to learn more about one of the horse industry’s oldest and most trusted brands.

Read More
01 20

Elevate Your Equestrian Experience in Ohio

Buy your tickets, book your hotel reservations, and prepare to experience the best of Equine Affaire.

Shake off those winter blues by making plans to attend Equine Affaire in Ohio this spring! On April 2-5, 2020, elevate your equestrian experience by attending Equine Affaire at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. As North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire offers horse lovers the opportunity to spend four days surrounded by everything to do with horses, from clinics and educational demonstrations to barns filled with horse and farm exhibits to the largest equine-themed trade show in the Midwest. Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now, so purchase your digital tickets online today at equineaffaire.com.

General admission tickets for adults are just $15/day or $50/four-day pass; for children ages 7-10, tickets are $8/day; for children ages 6 and under, admission is free. Spend your day browsing the trade show, visiting theme pavilions, cheering on your favorite riders in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, or learning all about horses from the many clinics, seminars and demonstrations that make Equine Affaire a top educational destination for horse lovers everywhere.

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are now digital, so after purchase, your electronic ticket will be delivered to you via email. Store your electronic ticket on your phone for scanning upon arrival or print at home and present your printed tickets at the gate. Hours for the event are 9 am to 7 pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Please note the Ohio Expo Center charges for parking.

All equestrians know the old saying: “There’s always something new to learn in the horse industry.” With a robust schedule of more than 200 educational sessions, Equine Affaire offers learning opportunities for equestrians of all skill levels and disciplines. At this year’s event, learn more about general training and horsemanship from Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard and Lynn Palm. Other featured topics and clinicians include Lynn Palm (Western dressage), JR Robles (general training and colt starting), Jim Thomas (general training and horsemanship), Jonathon Millar (hunter/jumper), Jeremy Steinberg (dressage), Kevin Oliver (reining and trail), Kristin Weaver Brown (barrel racing), Liz Austin (dressage), Heidi Potter (Centered Riding®), Rick Christy (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Suzy Stafford (driving), Simon Cocozza (core strengthening and yoga for horses), Gary Lane (easy gaited horses), Sarah Track (saddleseat), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Paul Garrison (mules), Heidi McLaughlin (overcoming fear), Maggie Herlensky (sidesaddle), Laura Benson and Carrie Brandt (Icelandics), the Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team (drill teams), and much more.

For visitors who are new to the horse industry, consider starting your day at the Equine Fundamentals Forum. The Forum features hands-on exhibits and fun educational displays about the basics of equine health care and management. Originally designed to help introduce kids to the wide world of horses, the Equine Fundamentals Forum has become dedicated to educating horse lovers of all ages, including adults.

And for aspiring equestrians, take part in the college/career fair on Saturday, which starts in the Equine Fundamentals Forum at 10:00am. Learn about equine-related careers, educational opportunities, and take part in a scavenger hunt throughout the event to win fun prizes.

Between clinics, browse Equine Affaire’s legendary trade show. Sprawling across five buildings and featuring more than 350 vendors, you’re guaranteed to find whatever you need (or want!) for you, your horse or that special equestrian in your life at Equine Affaire in Ohio. If you have tack or other horse-related items to sell, visit the Marketplace to consign your items for a small fee and then enjoy your day while the Marketplace staff sells your items. At the end of the day, come back by the Marketplace to collect the proceeds from the sale of your items. Or if a new horse is on your shopping list, browse the For Sale stalls in the barn or attend the Adoption Affaire to find your next horse. The Adoption Affaire features an array of adoptable horses of various breeds, ages and skill levels, and you can apply to adopt on the spot. Become part of a special horse’s adoption story by providing a loving home to a horse in need.

In addition to the educational seminars, Equine Affaire in Ohio will host an array of special events throughout the four-day weekend:

  • Operation Horses and Heroes has partnered with Equine Affaire to offer A Horse for Heroes, which provides veterans, active duty and first responders the chance to interact with horses in a safe, inviting atmosphere and experience the effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies. Activities will take place Friday in the Bricker Annex from 1:30-3:00pm and on Saturday in the Cooper Arena from 1:00-2:30pm. To sign up, visit the Operation Horses and Heroes booth in the Breed Pavilion.
  • Ride a Horse for the first time … or the first time in a long time! Equine Affaire has partnered with the Ohio Haflinger Association to provide opportunities for new and aspiring horse lovers to have their first encounter with a horse. Representatives of area horse farms and trainers affiliated with the Ohio Haflinger Association will provide basic instruction and seasoned lesson horses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 2-4. Sign up in advance at the Ohio Haflinger Association booth in the Breed Pavilion.
  • Mustang fans, don’t miss the Mustang TIP Challenge at Equine Affaire. During the Challenge, trainers will gentle untamed mustangs in the hopes of demonstrating each horse’s value and trainability in a competitive environment. The preliminary competition made up of 35 contestants will take place in the Cooper Arena on Friday, April 3rd, from 10 am-2 pm, with the finals taking place on Saturday from 3-5 pm.
  • Equine Affaire has teamed up with the International Liberty Horse Association to feature a two-part liberty Invitational competition on Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th. Select trainers will highlight their talents with horses of a variety of breeds and backgrounds.
  • For young riders (grades 4-12), the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Intensive Clinic offers a unique opportunity to see inside the mind of an IEA judge. The clinic will feature a judge’s perspective and offer tips for competing at IEA shows in both English and Western disciplines, as well as dressage. This clinic will take place on Sunday, April 5, from noon to 4 pm in the Cooper Arena.
  • The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will take place on Friday, April 3, at 1 pm in the Coliseum. This timed obstacle race tests the partnership and communication between horse and rider. Competitors may be asked to ride their horses under a balloon arch, sidepass down a piece of lumber, carry a barrel, or gallop around the arena dragging a parachute. Come prepared to cheer on your favorite horses and riders as they compete for top honors and $5,500 in prize money in this exciting event.

Finally, no day is complete at Equine Affaire until you’ve experienced the magic of Fantasia. Sponsored by Absorbine®, the Fantasia is Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Every year, the Fantasia showcases an array of equestrian acts, from liberty and reining freestyles to drill team performances, comedy, driving, and much more. The Fantasia will take place Thursday through Saturday nights in the Coliseum. Ticket prices range from $14 to $25. Tickets go fast, so don’t wait. Purchase your digital tickets for Fantasia online at equineaffaire.com today.

Finally, make your hotel reservations for Equine Affaire early! Visit our list of host hotels, available online at equineaffaire.com, and mention Equine Affaire when you make your reservation to get a special discounted rate on your room. Round out your experience by joining the team! Volunteers for Equine Affaire receive free admission, so register with the Equine Affaire office by 3/1/20 to secure your spot. For more information about the event, host hotels or other details, call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday. We’ll see you in Ohio!

Read More
01 08

Develop Your Skills in the Saddle: Clinics and competitions offer opportunities for equestrians to learn, ride, and compete at Equine Affaire in Ohio

LONDON, OH, January 8, 2020 – If you’ve ever wished you could ride your own horse in a clinic with your favorite trainer, that wish can come true at Equine Affaire in Ohio! On April 2-5, 2020, Equine Affaire returns to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, with a brand-new roster of the country’s top trainers and equestrian experts. Many of these presenters are now seeking horses and riders to participate in their clinics through Equine Affaire’s Ride with a Pro program. Apply to Ride with a Pro and you could find yourself sharing the arena with such trainers as Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard or Lynn Palm at the 2020 Equine Affaire in Ohio.

With more than 200 educational sessions in a variety of disciplines, there’s something for everyone to learn at Equine Affaire. Riders and horses of all skill levels are invited to apply to participate, and applying is easy. Visit equineaffaire.com (select the Ohio event, click “Participate” and then “Ride with a Pro”) or contact Coagi Long by emailing clong@equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085, ext. 114. Fees range from $75 to $350 depending on the clinic. The application deadline is February 14, 2020, so get a head start on your materials by applying today!

This year’s lineup of presenters includes such equestrian all-stars as Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard, and Lynn Palm, presenting on general training and horsemanship. Other featured clinicians and topics include JR Robles (general training & colt starting), Lynn Palm (Western dressage), Jim Thomas (general training & horsemanship), Jonathon Millar (hunter/jumper), Steve Colclasure (cutting & reined cow horse), Jeremy Steinberg (dressage), Kevin Oliver (reining and trail), Kristen Weaver Brown (barrel racing), Liz Austin (dressage), Heidi Potter (centered riding), Rick Christy (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Suzy Stafford (driving), Simon Cocozza (core strengthening & yoga for horses), Sarah Track (saddleseat), Paul Garrison (mules), and Heidi McLaughlin (overcoming fear).

Equestrians of all disciplines are also invited to compete in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, hosted by Equine Affaire on Friday, April 3 at 1:00 pm in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Apply by February 14, 2020, for your chance to vie for $5,500 in prize money and the top honor of being crowned as the 2020 Versatile Horse and Rider Champion at Equine Affaire in Ohio. The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition consists of a timed obstacle race, specially designed to test the communication and partnership between horse and rider. Judges will also evaluate competitors based on general horsemanship criteria and overall performance. Up to 25 pre-selected horse and rider pairs will compete, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top four contestants, with ribbons presented through tenth place. The $350 entry fee includes three single-day admission tickets and stabling for one horse, Wednesday through Saturday of the event. To apply, visit equineaffaire.com online (select the Ohio event, click “Participate” and then “Versatile Horse and Rider Competition”).

To learn more about opportunities to saddle up for Equine Affaire in Ohio, visit our Ride With A Pro clinic program page, check out our Versatile Horse & Rider Competition page, or call the office at (740) 845-0085, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST (M-F). See you at Equine Affaire!

Read More
11 22

Equine Affaire in Massachusetts Celebrates Another Year of Elevating the Equestrian Experience

For horse lovers, nothing kicks off the holiday season like celebrating a successful Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. On November 7-10, 2019, the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield played host to the 22nd annual Equine Affaire in Massachusetts.

As North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire is a bucket-list destination for thousands of horse lovers, equestrian experts and equine businesses from across the United States and beyond. From the buzz of the trade show floor to the hustle and bustle of clinics and the happy hum of the barns, the event offered something special for equine enthusiasts of all ages.

“Equine Affaire is very professional and organized, and their volunteers are exceptional,” said Chris Cox of Chris Cox Horsemanship, who presented multiple clinics and sessions on general horsemanship at this year’s event. “They create a little bit of something for everyone here. Coming to an event like this for the price, you can see a lot of great horsemen and horsewomen in different disciplines. You just can’t beat it.”

This year’s event hosted more than 150 sessions with the industry’s leading horsemen and horsewomen, including Chris Cox, Julie Goodnight, Dan James, Steve Lantvit and Jason Irwin. Equestrian experts from around the world presented on topics such as dressage, eventing, show jumping, barrel racing, driving, hunters, western dressage, hunter under saddle, gaited horses, saddle seat, sidesaddle, and more.

Many of the clinics featured riders and horses who had been selected for Equine Affaire’s Ride with a Pro program, which invites individuals to apply to ride with experts at clinics during the event. Equine Affaire attendee Jade Warren participated in one of Julie Goodnight’s clinics, and said she came away with helpful exercises that she plans to continue using at home with her horse.

“What I appreciated most about Julie’s teaching style was her gentleness,” Jade said. “It really helped me out a lot that she was so calm and willing and able to help with whatever I needed. If you’re on the fence about applying for a future Ride With A Pro opportunity, my advice is to do it! You only live once.”

Between clinics, attendees browsed acres of equine-themed shopping at the east coast’s largest horse-related trade show. From gleaming horse trailers to fun equine-themed board games, there were goods of almost every kind available for purchase, including tack, apparel, jewelry, horse feed samples and plenty more. Many clinicians and presenters also hosted their own booths in the trade show, where visitors could ask questions, buy products, request autographs and more.

“I’m here all day in my booth answering questions and looking at pictures of people’s horses and hearing their stories,” Julie Goodnight said. “At Equine Affaire, you get to interact face-to-face with people you might never otherwise have a chance to see. The same is true of the vendors. We have a lot of pharmaceuticals, a lot of veterinary products and nutritional products. You can get very educated in these trade shows. If I have a question about building a stall or figuring out what I want in a horse trailer, I can come to a trade show like this and compare all the different kinds of horse trailers. There’s a lot of value to events like Equine Affaire.”

In addition to the clinics and the trade show, special events took place each day during Equine Affaire. Whispery Pines Percherons offered a brand-new activity called Drive A Draft, where visitors learned firsthand how to drive a massive Percheron horse. Attendees also had the chance to ride one of the nation’s most versatile horse breeds at the Ride A Morgan event. Another new event this year was created especially for veterans and first responders. Equine Affaire partnered with BINA Farm to offer A Horse for Heroes, which gave veterans and other heroes the opportunity to interact with a horse for the first time and experience the magical bond between horse and human.

The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition took place on Friday in the Coliseum, featuring 25 horse-and-rider pairs who vied with each other for the top prize of $2,500 and the honor of being named the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Champion. Judged by Chris Cox and announced by Steve Lantvit, the competition featured a daunting obstacle course specially designed to test the communication between horse and rider. Riders asked their horses to leap a series of small jumps, carry a barrel from one end of the arena to another, drag a parachute, execute a tight turn atop a small platform, and many other challenging maneuvers.

Danelle Osinchuk of Springfield, Vermont, and her horse, a 19-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding named Slip Me A Dual Pep, took home top honors with a score of 58 points and a time of 5 minutes and 9 seconds.

“The VHRC is a competition that encompasses asking you to know a little bit from all of the different disciplines,” Danelle reflected. “You might have to jump, you might have to spin, who knows. I like trying to prepare my horse for something where you don’t necessarily really know what to expect.”

Danelle and “Magic” have competed multiple times in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, but this year marks their first win.

“I really, really love this event and I look forward to it,” Danelle said. “I would encourage anyone to try it out. I don’t make a living training horses, I don’t keep my horse with a trainer, and I have three young kids. If I can work my way to the top, I am sure many others can, too. I’ve enjoyed the journey and the camaraderie that has come with it.”

Finally, no day at Equine Affaire is quite complete unless you’ve experienced the beauty and wonder of the Fantasia. Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse featured a variety of horse-themed acts, each one filled with the special kind of magic that only horses can bring. Ambra Andrine rallied her Arabian horses to create a fabulous equestrian ballet, complete with aerial acrobatics and dance. World-renowned horseman Dan James performed his award-winning freestyle routine atop the stallion, Don Magnum. Lisa Dufresne performed in two acts: first, she appeared in a series of stunning costumes with her beautiful Friesian, Flip; and second, she performed with a lovable team of six miniature stallions, each costumed like a lion cub. Hope Cooper executed a stunning dressage freestyle with her horse, Hot Chocolate W, and Tribe Ermes had the audience perched on the edge of their seats with their fabulous vaulting routine. The dueling draft horse hitches of Morrisville College and Whispery Pines Percherons, a Wild West show with Austin Anderson, Chelsea Fisher and Trevor Draher, and the Crimson Acres Glory Riders Drill Team rounded out an already fabulous evening. For the big finale, a team of Icelandic horses and riders literally set the arena on fire in a stunning display of horsemanship, speed and song during their Tribute to Throstur.

Equine Affaire is grateful for the generous support of its sponsors, including Absorbine, sponsor of Fantasia; US Equestrian, sponsor of the Coliseum Arena; Cosequin, sponsor of the Equine Fundamentals Forum; Farnam, sponsor of the Courtesy Shopping Bag; Horizon Structures, the official barn of Equine Affaire; Horze Equestrian, the official apparel of Equine Affaire; GGT, sponsor of the Mallary & Young Arenas; Wahl, official clipper of Equine Affaire; and Nutrena, sponsor of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.

For more information about Equine Affaire, visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, any time between 9am and 5pm EST, Monday through Friday. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again next year!

Read More

ELEVATING THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE SINCE 1994 TM