Seasoned VHRC competitor Brenda Hanson clinched this year’s “Champion” title at the Ohio Equine Affaire’s Versatile Horse & Rider Competition! Brenda and her 7-year-old quarter horse gelding PVF Frosted Ace scored 65 points and finished the course in 4 minutes and 55 seconds. This pair has earned Reserve Champion at this competition in years past, but this is their first Champion ribbon at the VHRC!

Second place was awarded to Jason Charles and Ms Whiz It, trailing by just one point with a score of 64. Jason also earned third place, on Loretta Weber’s Colonel Smoken Badger with 62.5. Scoring 59.5 points to finish fourth was Martin Schwartz on Guy Gene Cutshaw’s Show Me Sterling. Rounding out the top five in fifth place was Tammy Burgard aboard WR Classic Whiskey with 57.5 points.

And for those of you that might be wondering about competitor Britiny Spangler, who took an unplanned dismount during the competition, we have heard that she has been cleared by the EMTs and is doing fine.

Full placings for the competition are listed below:

 

Martin Schwartz

Horse: Show Me Sterling (aka “Sterling”), 9-year-old Appaloosa gelding

Two-time champions Martin and Sterling will return to defend their title at the 2019 VHRC! Sterling’s owner, Guy Cutshaw, is unable to ride so he takes great joy in watching Sterling’s success with Martin. Guy has raised and cared for Sterling since he was an 8-month-old colt and looks forward to watching this stellar pair compete once again in the VHRC.

Britiny Spangler

Horse: Peaches, 12-year-old AQHA mare

Britiny and Peaches have been a team for 5 years. Peaches was not broke to ride until Britiny started working with her at the age of 7. During their time together, they have been training with fellow VHRC competitor Brenda Hanson of Hanson Horse Training.

Alex Tyson

Horse: Chex My Loaded Gun, 9-year-old AQHA mare

This team has been together for 3 years. Together they compete in working equitation. In 2018, they were the WE United Region 5 Level 3 Champions and third place in Level 2 for their season overall.

Loretta Weber

Horse: Shining Gold Badger (“Badger”), 9-year-old APHA gelding

Loretta and Badger have been a team for 6 years. In that time they have trained and competed in all-around English and western, ranch riding, trail, and basic dressage. With many accomplishments in the past six years, such as champion of the day at open shows and 1^st place in the open division at the Patriotic Trail Challenge, they’re ready to tackle the VHRC!

Kat Wiegand

Horse: Spence Farms Shadow Dancer (aka “Gracie”), 9-year-old Drum horse mare

Kat started out showing in 4H as a teen, and a few years ago quit her job as a Cost Estimator in the automotive industry to focus on her true passion – breeding, showing, and selling horses with her husband. Kat started Gracie under saddle at the age of 8 years old, just over a year ago! Gracie is a quick learner with an eager personality and has excelled in halter and rail classes but seems to love tackling obstacles the most.

Eddie Landry

Horse: Tejons Shadow Bar (aka “Cielo”), 7-year-old AQHA mare

Coming off a very successful show season earning two buckles in different ranch show series, this team will be partaking in their 5^th Equine Affaire event. In the past, they’ve competed in VHRC and also participated in Equine Affaire clinics. Eddie has studied and brought Cielo up through the vaquero tradition and looks to learn and improve every year.

Wendy Montgomery

Horse: SF Distinguished Gentleman (aka “Rocky”), 13-year-old Rocky Mountain gelding

Rocky and Wendy have been together for 10 years and have competed in obstacle challenges for 6 years. They are returning competitors and placed 8^th at last year’s VHRC. With many championships under their belts, including Smoky Mountain Trail Amateur Champion, IMTCA Adult Level 2 & 3 Region Champions, and 2^nd place RMHA Versatile Horse of the Year, Wendy is aiming for a win at this year’s VHRC!

 

Wendy Montgomery and SF Distinguished Gentleman

Angela Morse

Horse: Bliss, 15-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Angela and Bliss have been together for 3 years. Together they compete in ranch riding, reining, and jumping at the open level. They have also won high point awards with the Southern Ohio Quarter Pony Association. This will be their first year competing at the VHRC.

Miranda Roesel

Horse: Shamrock, 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding

Miranda and Shamrock have been a team for just a year and a half, and Shamrock will be the youngest horse in this year’s VHRC! Together they have been participating in ranch riding at open shows with placings in ranch pleasure, trail, and ranch riding.

Sheryl Sheffler

Horse: Real Peppy Hank (aka “Hank”), 24-year-old Quarter Horse gelding

Sheryl describes Hank as her “once in a lifetime super horse.” They’ve been partners for more than 14 years, and have competed in Working Cow Horse events, Team Penning/Sorting, Contesting, Trail Challenges, and more. Hank also gives therapeutic rides to special needs riders. Hank is the oldest horse competing in this year’s VHRC, and this will be his last year of competition before living out the rest of his retirement days in a spacious pasture with his four “girlfriends.”

Jason Charles

Horses: Colonel Smoken Badger (aka “Smoke”), 9-year-old APHA stallion & Ms Whiz It, 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Multiple-time VHRC champion Jason Charles will be competing on two horses at this year’s event. “Smoke,” owned by fellow competitor Loretta Weber, has taken home blue ribbons in several judged trail rides, has APHA points in multiple disciplines, and placed 2^nd in last year’s VHRC in Ohio. Ms Whiz It, who Jason has had since she was 2 years old, competes in reining and other western disciplines, works as a lesson horse, and won last fall’s VHRC in Massachusetts.

Kristin Fouty

Horse: Dun Got It Goin On (aka “Boo”), 13-year-old Paint gelding

This pair has been together for 11 years. They compete in multiple disciplines, including roping, hunt seat, dressage, and rodeo as well as participating in parades. Boo is the first horse Kristin broke herself, and has since also taken multiple youth to the winner’s circle in 4H and open shows. Kristin is a carded judge for Michigan 4H and Open shows and will be competing this year for her third time in the VHRC.

Marc Gellart

Horse: Red River Banjo (aka “Red”), 10-year-old AQHA gelding

Marc has been riding Red River Banjo for 3 years, competing in reining and ranch riding. Red’s lifetime NRHA earnings have totaled over $25,000! Last year they qualified for the AQHA World Show in Senior Ranch Riding, Amateur Ranch Riding, and Amateur Reining. This will be the pair’s second year in a row competing in the VHRC.

Brenda Hanson

Horse: PVF Frosted Ace, 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding

Brenda and Ace have been a team for 4 years and compete ranch horse/obstacle competitions. They are two-time VHRC reserve champions and have also placed 3^rd and 4^th in past VHRC competitions. They’ve won many year-end awards and close to $10,000 in obstacle competitions!

Anna Kowal

Horse: JD Sambo’s Flame (aka “Flame”), 10-year-old Rocky Mountain mare

When Anna got Flame four years ago, she had only been ridden three times. Since then, this pair has competed in gaited, English, western, and trail obstacle classes in 4H, open, and breed shows. They also competed in last year’s VHRC. Anna is currently a student at Asbury University in Kentucky and studies Equine Science. She and Flame have been training there with Jesse Westfall since last August.

Melinda Adams

Horse: Bella Beretta, 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Melinda and Bella Beretta have been a team for 3 years, and in that time they have participated in Breyerfest, competed at the Quarter Horse Congress in Freestyle Reining, and competed at the ARHA World Show in Ranch Reining. They have also competed at Equine Affaire’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition three times, placing as high as 4^th.

Shannon Barth

Horse: Whata Golden Girl (aka “Piper”), 4-year-old APHA/PHBA mare

Shannon started out riding trail horses and showing in 4H. Since November 2017, she and Piper have successfully showed in Hunter Under Saddle and Ranch events, and were named the 2018 Mid Ohio Horse Show Association Ranch Division Championship.

 

Valerie Boatman

Horse: MSU Supersticious (aka “Spartan”), 12-year-old Arabian gelding

Valerie purchased Spartan as a 2-year-old from Michigan State University, where he was bred. She describes him as sensible, willing, and smart. Together, they have ridden trails, been in parades, and since 2015 have also been competing in dressage. They have shown in over 100 recognized shows and more than 100 schooling shows!

 

Tammy Burgard

Horses: Alot Nu Jazz, 6-year-old AQHA gelding & WR Classic Whiskey, 7-year-old AQHA mare

Tammy will be competing on two horses, and both have impressive resumes. Alot Nu Jazz is a Reserve World Champion in Ranch Horse Versatility, and WR Classic Whiskey holds multiple state and regional championships in Extreme Cowboy Racing, along with being a World Championship Finals qualifier the past three years.

 

Sydney Casto

Horse: Angel, 12-year-old American paint mare

Sydney is one of this year’s youngest competitors at just 19 years old. She received her horse Angel as a Christmas gift 6 years ago, and since they have competed in contesting, jumping, pleasure, and trail. This pair took grand champion at the county fair’s trail class three years in a row. In addition to showing, Sydney and Angel trail ride almost every week, up to 25 miles at a time!

Don’t miss the action! The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition will take place at 1pm on Friday, April 12th at Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/

LONDON, OH, March 6, 2019 – Interested in improving your horsemanship skills, but not sure where to start? Equine Affaire in Ohio is the answer! As North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire offers visitors countless opportunities to learn about all aspects of horsemanship. Whether you’re just starting out in your riding career or you’ve been in the saddle since birth, there’s a clinic on the schedule for you. Equine Affaire returns to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, on April 11-14. Make plans today to attend and learn from such renowned horsemen and horsewomen as Guy McLean, Julie Goodnight, Steve Lantvit, Neil Davies, Jason Irwin, and many more.

With more than 200 educational sessions on the schedule, Equine Affaire’s robust clinic program caters to equestrians of all skill levels and disciplines. Since its inception, part of Equine Affaire’s mission has been to educate equestrians and to promote communication and collaboration within the industry. Since continuing education is the lifeblood of the equine industry, clinics are an ideal way for horsemen and horsewomen to educate and inspire one another.

“At its heart, Equine Affaire is about celebrating the horse,” said Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire. “Part of celebrating the horse is learning about ways to improve our horsemanship and handling skills. That’s why Equine Affaire focuses on bringing the best and brightest in the industry, from Olympians and World Champions to professional equestrian performers, authors, and judges. If you want to learn, there’s no better place to be.”

As one of the featured clinicians of Equine Affaire, Australian-born horsemanship trainer Guy McLean will conduct sessions on colt starting, control under saddle and on the ground, horsemanship, and liberty work. After a lifetime spent in the saddle, Guy McLean believes that the best tools to use in horsemanship are knowledge, compassion, patience, and imagination. Since 1999, Guy and his beloved team of horses have been performing for equestrian audiences around the world. In addition to teaching clinics, Guy will perform his signature liberty act in Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse.

Julie Goodnight is known around the world for her focus on classical horsemanship and improving the relationship between horse and rider. A gifted teacher, Goodnight shares her expertise in multiple disciplines through clinics, articles, podcasts, and on-demand videos. At Equine Affaire, Goodnight will teach sessions on refining the canter, finding your balance and rhythm, developing soft hands, and teaching the horse to give to the bit. Named an Exceptional Equestrian Educator by Equine Affaire, Goodnight is also the spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association and a certified Master Clinic Instructor.

Award-winning horseman Steve Lantvit promotes training built on trust, gentle hands, and true partnership. At Equine Affaire, Lantvit will present on transitions, true collection, warm-ups and exercises, and how to recognize your horse’s footfall patterns. Lantvit regularly conducts clinics and presentations at equestrian events across the United States. He also hosts his own television program on RFD-TV, “Sure in the Saddle.”

Canadian-born horseman Jason Irwin trains foundation Quarter Horses at Northstar Livestock in Ontario. In addition to owning and operating a beef farm with his family, Irwin shares his knowledge of training horses through clinics and presentations. His sessions at Equine Affaire will include side-passing, emergency stops, problem-solving in horse training for youth, and more.

Neil Davies of Fear-Free Horse Training believes in using trust, confidence, and understanding to train horses. A horse trainer and author, Davies will teach sessions on the fundamentals of fear-free horsemanship, including teaching your horse about correct forward motion, building your horse’s work ethic, and developing everyday disciplines of communication and consistency.

A host of other discipline-specific clinicians to be featured at Equine Affaire include Candice King and Ali Wolff (hunter/jumper), Mette Rosencrantz and Susan Mandas (dressage), Sandy Collier (reined cow horse), Jesse Westfall (reining), Jane Melby (barrel racing), Muffy Seaton (driving), Sylvia Zerbini and Luke Gingerich (liberty), Dana Hokana (western horsemanship, hunter under saddle), Michael Gascon (easy gaited horses), Gayle Lampe (saddleseat), Tom Seay (trail riding and camping), Kelsey Lauberth (trick riding), Sam Rettinger (draft horses), Asbury University (mounted police horse training), and more. For a full list of clinicians and a complete schedule, visit equineaffaire.com.

General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased online at equineaffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, Mon-Fri from 9 am-5 pm EST. Single-day adult tickets are $15. Single-day youth tickets (age 7-10) are $8, while children ages 6 and under attend free. Four-day adult passes are available for $50. For the price of general admission, visitors can shop at North America’s largest horse-related trade show, interact with hundreds of horses on display in breed exhibits, marvel at competitions, and attend all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Please note that separate tickets are required for admission to Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse. Fantasia tickets can also be ordered online or through the Equine Affaire office.

LONDON, OH, February 18, 2019 – Interested in improving your horsemanship skills, but not sure where to start? Equine Affaire in Ohio is the answer! As North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire offers visitors countless opportunities to learn about all aspects of horsemanship. Whether you’re just starting out in your riding career or you’ve been in the saddle since birth, there’s a clinic on the schedule for you. Equine Affaire returns to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, on April 11-14. Make plans today to attend and learn from such renowned horsemen and horsewomen as Guy McLean, Julie Goodnight, Steve Lantvit, Neil Davies, Jason Irwin, and many more.

With more than 200 educational sessions on the schedule, Equine Affaire’s robust clinic program caters to equestrians of all skill levels and disciplines. Since its inception, part of Equine Affaire’s mission has been to educate equestrians and to promote communication and collaboration within the industry. Since continuing education is the lifeblood of the equine industry, clinics are an ideal way for horsemen and horsewomen to educate and inspire one another.

“At its heart, Equine Affaire is about celebrating the horse,” said Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire. “Part of celebrating the horse is learning about ways to improve our horsemanship and handling skills. That’s why Equine Affaire focuses on bringing the best and brightest in the industry, from Olympians and World Champions to professional equestrian performers, authors, and judges. If you want to learn, there’s no better place to be.”

As one of the featured clinicians of Equine Affaire, Australian-born horsemanship trainer Guy McLean will conduct sessions on colt starting, control under saddle and on the ground, horsemanship, and liberty work. After a lifetime spent in the saddle, Guy McLean believes that the best tools to use in horsemanship are knowledge, compassion, patience, and imagination. Since 1999, Guy and his beloved team of horses have been performing for equestrian audiences around the world. In addition to teaching clinics, Guy will perform his signature liberty act in Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse.

Julie Goodnight is known around the world for her focus on classical horsemanship and improving the relationship between horse and rider. A gifted teacher, Goodnight shares her expertise in multiple disciplines through clinics, articles, podcasts, and on-demand videos. At Equine Affaire, Goodnight will teach sessions on refining the canter, finding your balance and rhythm, developing soft hands, and teaching the horse to give to the bit. Named an Exceptional Equestrian Educator by Equine Affaire, Goodnight is also the spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association and a certified Master Clinic Instructor.

Award-winning horseman Steve Lantvit promotes training built on trust, gentle hands, and true partnership. At Equine Affaire, Lantvit will present on transitions, true collection, warm-ups and exercises, and how to recognize your horse’s footfall patterns. Lantvit regularly conducts clinics and presentations at equestrian events across the United States. He also hosts his own television program on RFD-TV, “Sure in the Saddle.”

Canadian-born horseman Jason Irwin trains foundation Quarter Horses at Northstar Livestock in Ontario. In addition to owning and operating a beef farm with his family, Irwin shares his knowledge of training horses through clinics and presentations. His sessions at Equine Affaire will include side-passing, emergency stops, problem-solving in horse training for youth, and more.

Neil Davies of Fear-Free Horse Training believes in using trust, confidence, and understanding to train horses. A horse trainer and author, Davies will teach sessions on the fundamentals of fear-free horsemanship, including teaching your horse about correct forward motion, building your horse’s work ethic, and developing everyday disciplines of communication and consistency.

A host of other discipline-specific clinicians to be featured at Equine Affaire include Candice King and Ali Wolff (hunter/jumper), Mette Rosencrantz and Susan Mandas (dressage), Sandy Collier (reined cow horse), Jesse Westfall (reining), Jane Melby (barrel racing), Muffy Seaton (driving), Sylvia Zerbini and Luke Gingerich (liberty), Dana Hokana (western horsemanship, hunter under saddle), Michael Gascon (easy gaited horses), Gayle Lampe (saddleseat), Tom Seay (trail riding and camping), Kelsey Lauberth (trick riding), Sam Rettinger (draft horses), Asbury University (mounted police horse training), and more. For a full list of clinicians and a complete schedule, visit equineaffaire.com.

General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased online at equineaffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, Mon-Fri from 9 am-5 pm EST. Single-day adult tickets are $15. Single-day youth tickets (age 7-10) are $8, while children ages 6 and under attend free. Four-day adult passes are available for $50. For the price of general admission, visitors can shop at North America’s largest horse-related trade show, interact with hundreds of horses on display in breed exhibits, marvel at competitions, and attend all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Please note that separate tickets are required for admission to Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse. Fantasia tickets can also be ordered online or through the Equine Affaire office.

LONDON, OH, February 1, 2019 – With tens of thousands of horse-people poised to attend Equine Affaire in Ohio this spring, there’s no better place to present your horses for sale or promote your farm or equestrian business. On April 11-14, the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, will host Equine Affaire, a four-day equine extravaganza filled with educational clinics, North America’s largest horse-related trade show, competitions, entertainment and much more. Reserve your “For Sale” stall or “Horse and Farm Exhibit” stall today to secure the perfect opportunity to market yourself, your farm and your sale horses at North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering

For Sale stalls are available for $150 per stall for the entire four-day event. That price includes a 10 x 10 in-line stall in the Gilligan Complex at the Ohio Expo Center, a “for sale” sign to post on the stall, a free listing on equineaffaire.com before the event, and a listing in the event program. Exhibitors must commit to attending and presenting for at least two days of the event. If your horse is sold during your first day, another horse may be substituted for no additional cost with verified health paperwork. Potential buyers (aged 18 and over) may test ride at the event with the proper release forms.

To promote your farm, stallion or equine services, consider renting a Horse & Farm exhibit stall. Prices include $150 for an in-line stall, $175 for an end-stall in the center aisle of the barn and $200 for an end stall on an outer aisle of the barn. Regardless of position, all stalls are 10 x 10 stalls in the Gilligan Complex. All stalls come with a one-line listing of the stall number, farm name, horse breed and phone number (or website) on equineaffaire.com before the event and in the official event program during the event. To secure your listing in the program, applications and payments must be submitted by 2/28. To participate in the Horse & Farm exhibits, exhibitors must commit to presenting for at least three days.

Both “For Sale” stalls and “Horse & Farm Exhibit” stalls include one 4-day adult ticket ($50 value) to Equine Affaire. Tack stalls are also available for $100 each. Join Equine Affaire by reserving your stall today. For more information on the Horse & Farm exhibits or to book your stall, contact Karin Brennan at (740) 845-0085 ext. 112 or kbrennan@equineaffaire.com.

Equine Affaire elevates the equestrian experience for horse-lovers of all ages. With more than two hundred educational sessions, world-class shopping, championship competitions and plenty of interactive exhibits, Equine Affaire offers something for everyone in the family. Visit equineaffaire.com for schedules, tickets and additional details.

LONDON, OH, January 18, 2019 – Until you’ve felt the earth-shaking majesty of a galloping six-horse draft hitch or marveled at the silent trust displayed between a horse at liberty and its handler, you’ve never experienced the magic of Fantasia. On April 11-13, Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse will bring every horse-lover’s dream to life under the spotlights of the Ohio Expo Center’s coliseum in Columbus, Ohio. Sponsored by Absorbine, the Fantasia is an unforgettable show that sets the beauty, majesty and power of horse and rider to music, serving as the ultimate testament to the heart and soul of the horse.

“Fantasia reminds people of the magic that horses provide,” said Amy Cairy, director of marketing with W.F. Young, parent company of sponsor Absorbine. “It’s fun to watch kids’ mouths drop open when they see those beautiful horses performing under the spotlights. Those are the experiences that bring families and friends together.”

Featuring talents as diverse as Guy McLean’s signature liberty act and the Haflinger marathon driven drill team, Fantasia unites equestrians of all ages in a universal celebration of the beauty and ability of the horse. Returning for just three nights during Equine Affaire in Ohio, tickets for Fantasia are on sale now through March 24. Visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 today to purchase your tickets. Performances will take place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13.

“We present Fantasia at each Equine Affaire, but no show is ever the same,” said Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire. “Fantasia is a beloved tradition for our audiences, and we love surprising them each year with a new compilation of acts and performers.”

This year’s show will feature high-energy drill teams, a variety of jaw-dropping liberty and costume acts, trick riders and more. Audiences will love watching Guy McLean’s bridleless and saddleless rides and liberty act, while reining fans will adore Luke Gingerich’s fabulous bridleless reining demonstration on his American Quarter Horse, “CJ Rio Zan Bar Gun.” Shawn Drentwett, daughter of beloved Fantasia veteran Christine Drentwett, will present a magical costumed act with her Friesian horse, “Ricco.” Ninth-generation circus performer Sylvia Zerbini and her daughter, Ambra Zerbini, will both present liberty acts, including a special aerial twist by Ambra. Wild West fans will thrill to the whip-cracking and rope-flying antics of Loop Rawlins, the one-man Wild West performer featured on America’s Got Talent. And Kellie Rettinger of Whispery Pines Percherons will lay claim to the arena as Wonder Woman on the back of one of her beautiful Percherons.

For additional details about Fantasia and to purchase tickets, visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm EST. Doors open at 6:45pm and the show begins at 7:30pm each evening. Ticket prices range from $14 to $25. Advance ticket sales will end March 24. Tickets purchased before March 24 will be mailed, while tickets purchased after that date will be available at Will Call at the event.

Equine Affaire will take place April 11-14 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Visit equineaffaire.com for schedules, updates, and additional information about Equine Affaire in Ohio. Equestrians, horse-lovers and families are invited to attend Equine Affaire. No matter what your role is in the equine world, there’s something for everyone at Equine Affaire, including educational seminars, horse-themed shopping and interactive educational exhibits. Tickets for Equine Affaire are on sale now at equineaffaire.com.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Absorbine, official sponsor of Fantasia.

LONDON, OH, December 19, 2018 – Give yourself the gift of better horsemanship by applying to Ride with a Pro at the 2019 Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. Equine Affaire’s robust clinic program offers equestrians of all skill levels and disciplines the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to saddle up with the industry’s top professionals. The 2019 Equine Affaire, which will take place at the Ohio Expo Center on April 11-14, will feature such renowned horsemanship trainers as Guy McLean, Julie Goodnight, Steve Lantvit, Jason Irwin, and many more.

“Part of Equine Affaire’s mission is to improve the skills of horsemen and horsewomen,” said Coagi Long, president of Equine Affaire. “The Ride with a Pro program enables us to do that through clinics and demonstrations, but what makes the program unique is its diversity. We strive to offer clinics in as many different disciplines as we can at every Equine Affaire so that there’s truly something for everyone.”

With more than 200 educational sessions, clinics, and demonstrations on the schedule, the Ride with a Pro program offers novices and experts alike the opportunity to learn something new. This year’s clinicians are seeking participants of all skill levels and interests, as well as horses and riders with specific issues. Presenters include Guy McLean and Julie Goodnight (natural horsemanship), Steve Lantvit (general training and horsemanship), Jason Irwin (foundation training and general horsemanship), Neil Davies (fear-free horse training), Mette Rosencrantz (dressage), Candice King (hunter/jumper), Sandy Collier (reined cow horse), Jesse Westfall (reining), Jane Melby (barrel racing), Dana Hokana (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Muffy Seaton (driving), and Michael Gascon (easy gaited horses). More presenters will be announced soon, so check equineaffaire.com often for updates.

Clinic fees range from $75 to $350 and include participation in the clinic, admission to Equine Affaire on the day of the clinic, and twenty-four hours of stabling for your horse. The deadline to apply for all clinics is February 15, 2019. To apply for your opportunity to Ride with a Pro, visit equineaffaire.com (select the Ohio event, click “Participate” and then “Ride with a Pro”), or by calling (740) 845-0085 or emailing clong@equineaffaire.com.

Interested equestrians are also invited to apply for the Versatility Horse and Rider Competition, hosted by Equine Affaire on Friday, April 12, at 1:00 pm in the Coliseum. The “VHRC” features a timed race through an obstacle course, specially designed to test the communication and partnership between horse and rider. Judges will evaluate competitors based on horsemanship criteria as well as overall performance. Up to 25 pre-selected horse and rider pairs will compete for $5,500 in prize money. 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. All applications are due by February 15, 2019. Application materials are available online at equineaffaire.com.

Designed for equestrians by equestrians, Equine Affaire in Ohio presents the ultimate experience in all things equine. In addition to clinics, demonstrations, and more, visitors can learn all about horses from the ground up with the Horse & Farm Exhibits, the Breed Pavilion, the Equine Fundamentals Forum, and the Your Farm Forum. Horse owners and horse lovers alike will love browsing the aisles in the largest horse-related trade show in North America, while the hands-on exhibits will thrill visitors of all ages. The Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s beloved musical celebration of the horse, will return each evening, April 11-13. Bookmark equineaffaire.com and check back often for event schedules, ticket information, and more. Tickets for Equine Affaire and The Fantasia are on sale now!