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W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, September 12, 2023 — Have you heard the news yet? If you’re looking for a leg up on your riding, training, or horsemanship skills, Equine Affaire is the horse expo for you! North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its event in Massachusetts this November. In the process, we’re presenting a superb lineup of equestrian educators, including World Champions, National Champions, Olympians, popular equestrian TV personalities, professional equine performers, authors, judges, veterinarians, professors, and many more. Plan your pilgrimage to W. Springfield, MA, for four incredible days of learning and inspiration at Equine Affaire, November 9-12, 2023. No matter what your skill level is, come as you are – and once the show ends, you’ll go back to your barn feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to ride.
This fall, Equine Affaire is proud to present Mike Major, Julie Goodnight, Jason Irwin, Brandi Lyons, and Chelsea Canedy, as well as an elite coterie of equestrian educators that include Phillip Dutton (eventing), Steffen Peters (dressage), Andrew Welles (hunter/jumper), Greg Robinson (ranch horse versatility), Jeanne McDonald (dressage), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Stacey Giere (driving), Bronwyn Irwin (pole bending), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Carl Bledsoe (easy gaited horses), Sam & Kellie Rettinger (Draft Horses), Jim Masterson (equine bodywork), Marty Whittle (Equi Yoga), Copper Hill Vaulting Team (vaulting), and dozens more. For a full list of presenters and topics, plus the latest event schedule, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/educational-program/mass-presenters/.
Ready to learn more about this event’s headliners?
Mike Major hails from Bowie, TX, where he owns and operates Mike Major Horsemanship. Mr. Major has spent his lifetime starting, training, and showing horses in multiple Western disciplines, including ranch horse versatility, ranch riding, roping, cutting, cowhorse, and reining. He has won countless awards through American Quarter Horse Association and Stock Horse of Texas events, including three AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Open World Championships, five AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Open Reserve World Championships, five SHOT Open World Championships, two World’s Greatest Versatility Ranch Horse Championships, and many more. He has also received his AQHA 50 Year Breeder Certificate. Mr. Major specializes in enhancing the clarity of communication between the horse and rider through body control and softness in order to succeed in all disciplines and at all levels. In addition to his accomplishments in the show pen, Mr. Major is an avid supporter of the industry, serving as a Special Advisor to the Mustang Heritage Foundation and as a member of the AQHA Ranch Horse Committee.
Growing up in the 1960s on a small horse farm in central Florida, Julie Goodnight developed a connection with horses from a young age. Now an internationally renowned trainer and clinician, Ms. Goodnight is a rarity in that she has ridden and trained extensively in multiple disciplines, both English and Western, working with many breeds. Her focus is on classical horsemanship and developing the horse and rider’s relationship. Ms. Goodnight started her horse training business in 1985. Her methods are grounded in natural horsemanship, classical riding, and understanding what motivates horses. She teaches at clinics, expos and special events everywhere, and produces an award-winning podcast, “Ride On with Julie Goodnight.” Ms. Goodnight travels both domestically and internationally to lead riding adventures and teach horsemanship. She was named Exceptional Equestrian Educator by Equine Affaire, and is Spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association, an organization focused on promoting safety and excellence in horsemanship. She holds their highest level of certification, Master Clinic Instructor.
Jason Irwin is a lifelong equestrian and horse trainer from Ontario, Canada. He and his wife, Bronwyn, operate Jason and Bronwyn Irwin Horsemanship. Together, they teach horse training clinics, put on training demonstrations, and present at horse events throughout North America. Mr. Irwin began his training career focusing on colt starting and fixing problem horses and later added advanced training and liberty work. Mr. Irwin works with both western and English riders of all skill levels. Jason and Bronwyn host the TV show “The Horse Trainers” on The Cowboy Channel Canada and RFD-TV Canada. They have created several video training series and regularly post training information on their social media accounts.
To say that Brandi Lyons has completed the John Lyons certification program would be an understatement. Ms. Lyons grew up under the daily tutelage of her father on the family’s cattle ranch in Colorado and accompanied him on many of his cross-country trips to symposia and expos. She now continues the Lyons legacy teaching a new generation of riders and trainers the natural horsemanship training methods she acquired and continued to develop. For the past 18 years, she has been growing and developing her own business in the equine industry and spent many years traveling coast to coast to teach clinics. In 2008, Ms. Lyons took a hiatus from her cross-country travels to raise her daughters. However, it was not long before she started to train horses again and started her own business, No Limits Horsemanship, at her ranch in Rio Verde, AZ. Since then, Ms. Lyons has worked with many riders and horses through clinics, lessons, and a certification program for other trainers hosted at her ranch. She has also resumed her nationwide clinic travels, where she educates horses and riders on horsemanship; ranch sorting; conquering trails and obstacles; performance; and trick training.
As an upper-level event rider with a vast knowledge of horse behavior and natural horsemanship, Chelsea Canedy is able to identify and develop the potential in a horse with empathy, patience, and understanding. Her philosophy with every ride is “reward the try and celebrate even 1% better.” Meditation and mental performance have been pillars of Chelsea’s career with horses and previously, as a social worker. This allows her to connect with riders who struggle with nerves, fear, staying present, or those who are just looking to reconnect with their goals. Ms. Canedy is currently based at Unexpected Farm in Wales, ME, where she is helping connect riders in Area 1 to the bustling world of upper level eventing through her network of fellow professional riders and clinic opportunities. She winters in Ocala, FL.
Equine Affaire will celebrate its 25th event in Massachusetts, November 9-12, 2023, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Make plans today to attend and enjoy a celebratory four-day weekend of educational opportunities, shopping, exciting competitions, fun activities, and much more, all centered around the love of the horse. Spend a day – or four days! – enjoying all that this spectacular expo has to offer, then plan to spend at least one evening attending Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Sponsored by Absorbine, Fantasia is a two-hour nighttime spectacular that will take place for three nights only in the Eastern States Exposition’s coliseum on November 9, 10, and 11. Separate tickets are required for Fantasia. Tickets for both events are on sale now at equineaffaire.com.
Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges its sponsors: Absorbine, US Equestrian, GGT Footing, Horizon Structures, Fair Hill Saddlery, Tribute Equine Nutrition, LRP Matting, Chewy, Triple Crown Nutrition, and Blue Seal. To learn more about our event, visit our website (www.equineaffaire.com) and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!
