Equine Affaire Press Room

03 14

MEET THE 24 OHIO CLASS OF VHRC RIDERS, PART 1

LONDON, OH, March 12, 2024 – In about one month, Equine Affaire will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Ohio with clinics, a trade show, meet-and-greets, networking opportunities, breed exhibits, educational activities, and competitions – including the competition that has become a beloved annual tradition for horsemen and horsewomen all across the Midwest and beyond. We’re talking, of course, about the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! 

Sponsored by Espana Silk Grooming Products, the VHRC will take place on Friday, April 12, at 1:30 pm in the US Equestrian Coliseum. A class of twenty-five horses and riders will race the clock and each other as they tackle a challenging obstacle course, specially designed to test the athleticism, versatility, and horsemanship of each competitive pair. With $5,500 cash and other prizes at stake, it’s going to be one exciting race as our competitors vie for the honor of becoming the 2024 Ohio Versatile Horse and Rider Champions! In this post, meet five of the talented competitors that will join the race at Equine Affaire. 


Adam Black and Just June, 8 year old molly mule 

Adam Black grew up in southeastern Ohio. His passion for horses started when he was just a small child. Today, he is an established horseman. He began Adam Black Horsemanship with a dream, a direction, and vision to help horsemen and women create an everlasting bond between people and horses. Officially established in 2017, Adam Black Horsemanship focuses on starting colts, obstacle training, cowboy mounted shooting, and competitive ranch riding. He currently works on a 70 acre equestrian center where he offers training, sale horses, lessons and a place to come and enjoy the equine partners. Adam has a long list of accomplishments to his credit, including the 2017, 2021, and 2023 Winner of the Appalachian Trainer Face-Off (hosted by Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue); becoming the Champion of Champions in the 2018 Ohio Dirt Road to the Horse colt starting competition; and many others. Adam is currently a Men’s Level 3 Mounted Shooter and belongs to the Northern Ohio Outlaws. In 2022 and 2023, Adam was invited to work with world renowned Horsemen Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer, and is currently working towards becoming Ohio’s first Monty Roberts Certified Instructor. Adam continues his dream every day and believes with patience, understanding, consistent and diligent work, horse and rider can become what they themselves have always dreamed of becoming. Adam has been riding Just June for six years. 


Amy Bailey and Lucy Lu, 13 year old Appaloosa mare
 

Amy Bailey is the manager of the Kentucky Cowtown Arena in Williamstown, KY. She has been riding Lucy Lu for nine years. They enjoy riding in local Western and English competitions as well as trail, drill, and eventing. They also travel extensively with the Young Guns Drill Team and have had the honor of riding with the team in three Fantasia performances in Massachusetts. Next month will mark their third Fantasia performance in Ohio. Amy says that Lucy Lu is a fantastic trail companion.  

Bella Sweigard and Shelby Dreaming, 6 year old Mustang mare 

Hailing from Lisbon, OH, Bella and Shelby have been together for five years. Together, they perform mountain trail, mounted archery, liberty, jumping, dressage, driving, pole bending, and trail riding. They compete in adult level 3 mountain trail challenges, introductory dressage, beginner novice jumping, liberty/bridleless riding competitions, and adult walk/trot mounted archery.  

“I adopted Shelby, untouched, from the Bureau of Land Management in 2019, fulfilling my dream of training a wild mustang,” Bella says. “Previously, I gained experience when I received a pair of underutilized racking horses that had only been used for light trail riding. I was able to get them in working condition. That experience set me up for success when I finally adopted an unhandled mustang. Since Shelby’s arrival, we have spent countless hours building trust and skills in all kinds of ways. Shelby has shown remarkable aptitude in many disciplines during our training, and I am excited to showcase our accomplishments in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.”  

Charli Cuvelier and Sweet Baby Jesus, 4 year old American Quarter Horse mare 

Charli and Sweet Baby Jesus have been working together for the last two years and enjoy competing in ranch, obstacle, trail, and English disciplines in lower level open shows. Sweet Baby Jesus is the first horse that Charli has purchased, trained, and broken herself. When she first began handling her as a yearling, Charli spent a great deal of time desensitizing the filly to anything she could build or get her hands on. Her eventual goal was to compete with Sweet Baby Jesus in the VHRC, so that goal gave a special direction and purpose to her training. Charli has taken Sweet Baby Jesus to as many open shows and clinics as she could afford and spent a few months working with Adam Black. 

“Adam allowed me to join him at his farm and bring my filly along to continue my training,” Charli says. “I gained a wealth of knowledge there and feel like I am ready for this competition. Sweet Baby Jesus always handles everything I throw at her with grace and gives me the best try I could ask for.” 

Christine Weimer and Sir Par Bar, 22 year old American Quarter Horse gelding 

Christine purchased “Johnny” when he was just seven. In their fifteen years together, she estimates they’ve ridden thousands of miles on trails throughout state parks, metro parks, and private farms. 

“Johnny goes wherever I ask,” Christine says. “He goes over it, under it, through it, willingly. He is always the lead horse when a new rider wants to take their horse on the trail for the first time.”  

Christine and Johnny compete in mountain trail obstacle courses through Premier Mountain Trail, which are competitions based on precision, rather than speed. They have been successful throughout the years, earning the title of Grand Champion in both riding and in-hand. They have also competed bridleless.  

“I have watched this competition for years at Equine Affaire and have always wanted to sign up, however, I never had the self confidence,” Christine says. “I am hoping that by participating in this competition we can inspire older riders with senior horses to branch out and try something new!” 

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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02 29

EMPOWER YOURSELF AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, March 1, 2024 – Knowledge is power, and nowhere is that more true than in the equine industry. Empower yourself this spring to become a more knowledgeable horse owner, a stronger rider, a more confident handler and trainer, and a better all-around horseperson by attending Equine Affaire in Ohio. From the very beginning, Equine Affaire’s mission has been to improve the horse management, training, and riding skills of horsemen and horsewomen everywhere. Thirty years later, that mission hasn’t changed. This spring, you’re invited to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary with us at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024. Come ready and eager to learn, and we guarantee you’ll leave a better horseperson than when you arrived! 

North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will take place over four days, from Thursday to Sunday, which means you’ll have endless opportunities to learn about show jumping, dressage, reining, ranch riding, breakaway roping, positive reinforcement training, and everything in between, plus tons of sessions all about horse health care and training. With sessions going on in five arenas and on the seminar stage every day, you’re going to need to plan carefully to catch everything – and everyone! — you want to see. The full schedule for Equine Affaire is now available on our website, along with a list of the dozens of equine educators who will be on site teaching clinics and seminars and giving demonstrations throughout the weekend: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-educational-program/ohio-presenters/ 

If you’ve always been curious about Western disciplines, then this is your year! Attend Cowtown in Cooper on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, to learn all about the Western way of riding and how horses and riders can interact with cattle safely and effectively. This brand-new educational feature is sponsored by Western Life Today and includes a variety of clinics on roping, reining, ranch riding, ranch sorting, boxing, and reined cow horse topics presented by Steve Lantvit, Tanner Keith, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and others. Take part in this authentic Western experience and learn something new! 

Our featured general horsemanship and training clinicians for this spring’s event include Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy. Attendees will also enjoy learning from Daniel Stewart (jumping, fitness & sports psychology), Phillip Dutton (eventing), Kevin Raber (reining), Dave Treharne (roping), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Kristine May (barrel racing), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Stacey Giere (driving), Solange (stable riding system), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), Matt McHugh (trailer driving), Kellie & Sam Rettinger (Draft horses), Karin Bump (college & career fair), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Penley Horsemanship and the Mid-Ohio Mauraders (mounted shooting), the Young Guns 4-H Drill Team (drill team), and many, many more! 

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 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. 

KEN MCNABB is a lifelong horseman who grew up on the edge of the wild-horse country on the Wyoming-Montana border, both using horses for work and observing them in wild herds nearby. Mr. McNabb decided to make horsemanship his vocation early on. He began training horses for neighbors before he was 15 and apprenticed to Colorado master John Lyons at that young age. In the years since, Mr. McNabb has spent countless hours in the saddle, many of them behind a microphone, teaching participants in regional equine expos, horse shows, horsemanship clinics, instructional DVDs, and through a national RFD TV show. His TV show, “Discovering the Horseman Within,” appears weekly on the RFD satellite channel. Ken’s methods are commonly ascribed to the “natural horsemanship” persuasion of training, working with a horse’s natural inclination towards learning and rewards. He also periodically competes in prominent horse-starting competitions, including the 2008 Road to the Horse and wins at the 2007 Colt Starting Challenge at the Mane Event in Washington and the 2008 Trainers Challenge Colt Starting Competition in BC, Canada. 

In 1982, PAT PARELLI began creating a natural horsemanship program to improve the relationship between humans and horses. Mr. Parelli promoted the concept of love, language, and leadership. His desire to spread this knowledge to the world rose up in him after watching his mentors Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt work with horses. In 1984, Parelli began teaching clinics, and in 1991, he coined the name Natural Horsemanship. Natural Horsemanship has become a viable and important aspect of the international horse industry and continues to expand and influence how horses are trained. Mr. Parelli provides amazing talent for both training horses and teaching people. Today, Parelli Natural Horsemanship and the program have spread to 76 countries, over a million people, and have improved the lives of horses around the world. For more information about Pat Parelli and Parelli Natural Horsemanship, please visit Parelli.com. 

STEVE LANTVIT is a versatility performance horseman whose training program is based on trust, gentle hands, and a true partnership with the horse. Steve focuses on creating a light horse by establishing a strong foundation and providing correct timing and consistency with his methods. Mr. Lantvit competes successfully in cow horse and ranch horse events and enjoys coaching riders in the same. His guiding mission is to help riders achieve their dreams in and out of the show pen by producing handy, steady, and well-rounded horses. Mr. Lantvit hosts the popular TV show, “Sure in the Saddle” (as seen on RFD-TV and the Cowboy Channel), and conducts clinics across the country offering effective, meaningful instruction for riders of all levels across multiple disciplines. His knowledge, common-sense approach to teaching, and humor have made him a favorite at clinics, horse expos, and other exhibitions across the country. 

Owner of Unexpected Farm in Wales, Maine, CHELSEA CANEDY is an upper-level event rider known for combining traditional horsemanship with proven training methods from the behavioral sciences, and has a reputation as someone who understands how horses think and learn. Through these integrative practices, Ms. Canedy helps riders to understand their horse, overcome their fears, and reconnect with their goals. Working with riders and horses ranging from novice to professional, she approaches athletic training for both with empathy, patience, and understanding; she deepens the horse-rider connection through more precise communication, positive reinforcement, and her “reward the try” philosophy. Ms. Canedy is a premier trainer for those dedicated to their goals, willing to navigate their personal obstacles, and discover their own mastery in the ring and beyond.    

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now! Come to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024, and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. And don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets, too! Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, will take place April 11-13 at 7:30 pm each evening and feature incredible equine entertainment. Fantasia is sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family and come to Equine Affaire! To purchase tickets, find an event schedule, review hotel accommodation information, or learn other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. 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! 

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02 29

PUT THE “EQUINE” IN EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, February 29, 2024 – Equine Affaire simply wouldn’t be Equine Affaire without horses, and the proof is in our name! This spring, we invite you and your whole herd to join us for the thirtieth anniversary of Equine Affaire in Ohio. As North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering, our event is the perfect place to show off your horses in exhibits, breed demonstrations, and display stalls to the tens of thousands of admirers who will gallop to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024. Are you ready to join us? Keep reading to find out how you and your horses can be a part of this landmark celebration and elevate the equestrian experience for everyone! 

The Breed Pavilion and the Horse & Farm Exhibits at Equine Affaire are two of the most popular exhibits at our event because they give our visitors the chance to go nose-to-muzzle with horses of a variety of breeds, types, and personalities. These exhibits are also the perfect opportunity for you, as a horse owner or horse business owner, to connect with thousands of potential new customers and contacts in the industry. Whether you own a business, are part of an association or organization, own a farm, stand a stallion, or have horses for sale, your brand belongs at Equine Affaire. There are myriad ways to participate, from using your stall fronts as promotional displays to sharing brochures and other literature to putting up photo displays, handing out business cards, and more. Best of all, exhibiting at Equine Affaire is an economical and fun way to expand your reach within the industry. Here’s how to participate! 

Have a farm, stallion, or equine business? Choose a Horse & Farm Exhibit Stall! Prices are $160 for an in-line stall, $185 for an end-stall in the center aisle, or $215 for an end stall on an outer aisle. To participate in the Horse & Farm exhibits, exhibitors must commit to presenting for at least three days. 

Regardless of position, all stalls are 10 x 10 stalls in the Gilligan Complex and come with: 

  • A listing of the stall number, farm name, horse breed, and phone number (or website) on equineaffaire.com before the event 
  • A listing of the above in the official event program 
  • One four-day admission ticket to Equine Affaire ($52 value) 
  • Tack stalls are available for an additional $110 each.  

Are you looking for buyers for your horses, or are you an equine rescue or sanctuary hoping to place horses for adoption or expand the reach of your organization? Put those horses in front of tens of thousands of potential buyers or adopters with a For Sale stall or an Adoption Affaire stall. Many of our attendees come to Equine Affaire specifically to find their new best friend, so these stalls are the perfect way to market horses who need new homes. Prices are $160 for an in-line stall, $185 for an end-stall in the center aisle of the barn, and $215 for an end stall on an outer aisle of the barn. All stalls are 10 x 10 stalls in the Gilligan Complex, and include: 

  • A “For Sale” or “Adoption Affaire” sign to post on the stall 
  • A free listing on equineaffaire.com before the event 
  • A listing in the event program 
  • One four-day admission ticket to Equine Affaire ($52 value) 
  • The option to sign up to display your horse in one of two exciting Sale Horse Showcase events during Equine Affaire 
  • If a horse sells early, you may substitute another horse! 
  • Tack stalls are available for an additional $110 each.  

The Sale Horse Showcase events will take place on Thursday and Saturday afternoons in the US Equestrian Coliseum. Lead your sale horse or adoptee through the coliseum in front of crowds of interested attendees while our announcer shares details about your horse and how to get in contact with you. To find out how to sign up for a spot in the Sale Horse Showcases, contact Jessica Anderson at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112, or janderson@equineaffaire.com 

Are you part of a breed association or group, or do you own a rare breed of horse? Consider sharing your horses in the Breed Pavilion! The Breed Pavilion educates horse people about all breeds of horses and invites them to get involved with new breeds. Exhibit booths in the Breed Pavilion are specially designed portable 10’ x 10’ stalls set within exhibit booths, and each stall may be used to display up to four different horses each day, Thursday through Saturday, and up to three different horses on Sunday, which allows organizations to present multiple equine ambassadors throughout the event. For more information on how to get involved in the Breed Pavilion or to participate in a breed demonstration, please visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/exhibit/breed-exhibits/breed-pavilion/ 

If you’re interested in reserving your stalls at Equine Affaire in Ohio this spring, act quickly! Contact Jessica Anderson at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112, or janderson@equineaffaire.com, to learn more about how to get involved.  

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now! Come to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 11-14, 2024, and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. And don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets, too! Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, will take place April 11-13 at 7:30 pm each evening and feature incredible equine entertainment. Fantasia is sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family and come to Equine Affaire! To purchase tickets, find an event schedule, review hotel accommodation information, or learn other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. 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! 

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02 15

CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE OF HORSES WITH FANTASIA

LONDON, OH, February 15, 2024 – Set your hearts and your imaginations free this April by attending Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Whether your love of horses is a new discovery or a lifelong affair, that love is worth celebrating with a show like Fantasia. With just three performances, happening April 11-13, you simply can’t miss this musical celebration, which will feature a curated collection of performances by some of the nation’s most talented equine and equestrian entertainers. Tickets are on sale now, but don’t wait. Get yours today!

Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia is unlike any show you’ve ever seen – and that’s because every performance features a wide array of disciplines and styles of riding as well as a variety of breeds of horses. Whether you love the precision and elegance of dressage, the seemingly effortless high-speed turns and stops of reining, the excitement of mounted archery, or the thrill of trick riding, there’s a performance guaranteed to inspire you in this year’s show. Are draft horse hitches, flaming whips, bridleless jumping, liberty, or drill teams more your speed? We’ve got all that, too… and more!

Ready for a glimpse of the talented array of riders and horses you’ll see in the spotlight in this spring’s Fantasia? The riders of the Young Guns 4-H Equestrian Drill Team may be young, but their skills at the art of the drill speak for themselves. Enjoy patriotic, fast-paced, and rousing rides from this herd of talented youth and their stalwart mounts, lovingly coached and mentored by Joyce Voet. Lauren Sammis, a two-time US team medalist at the 2007 Pan Am Games and an aspiring Olympian, will take command of the coliseum with an elegant dressage freestyle. Liberty lovers will adore Kaleigh Marie’s Braveheart Beasts and marvel at her connection with her gorgeous black-and-white mounts. Expertly driven by Sam and Kellie Rettinger, the Whispery Pines Percherons will bring the “big” — while Jonathan Squibbs, driving a set of miniature horses, will bring the “little”! Reining fans, prepare to be amazed by 2022 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Champion, Kevin Raber, as he brings his award-winning reining freestyle to adorn our Fantasia. Seasoned bridleless riders Brendan and Melanie Wise of Unbridled Wings will take your breath away as they crisscross the arena, leaping lighted obstacles that move from place to place and change heights between every jump. Equestrian Chaos, a stunt team that demonstrates the bond between women, horses, and their bows, will perform astounding gymnastic feats on horseback – all while manipulating their bows, tossing arrows to one another, and shooting at targets!  Rider and Bethany Kiesner are bringing their own unique brand of Western style entertainment to Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. This incredible duo combines trick riding, trick roping, trick shooting, and whip tricks into a performance that has stunned audiences across the nation and the world and won countless awards, including the 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year. With so many incredible performances, all choreographed to music, Fantasia is the kind of show you must see to believe – and that’s why you’re invited!

Fantasia will take place in the coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13. Doors will open at 6:45 pm each evening to expedite seating. Tickets are available now and range in price from $16 to $25, depending on seat location. You can purchase tickets online or by calling our office at (740) 845-0085, M-F, 9:00am to 5:00pm ET. Group, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia. Call our office to secure your 30% discount on group tickets! Please note that Fantasia tickets are separate from Equine Affaire general admission tickets.

Equine Affaire, North America’s premier equine expo and equestrian gathering, is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its event in Ohio! Join tens of thousands of horse lovers at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, on April 11-14, 2024. Attendees will enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a massive trade show; themed pavilions; interactive activities; and lots more! General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are available for purchase online or by calling our office. General admission tickets are $16 in advance for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. Children (ages 6 & under) get in for free. Elevate the equestrian experience of your whole family with Equine Affaire! For an event schedule, hotel accommodation information, and other details, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship and support of Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, official sponsor of Fantasia; Rod’s, official sponsor of the Rod’s arena; US Equestrian, official sponsor of the US Equestrian Arena; GGT Footing, official sponsor of the arena footing; Pro Earth Animal Health, the official supplement of Equine Affaire; Boot Barn, official sponsor of the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge; and Western Life Today, official sponsor of Cowtown in Cooper. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

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02 06

GET READY TO JUMP FOR JOY

LONDON, OH, February 6, 2024 – Are you searching for fresh inspiration for your riding journey? Looking for answers to questions about horse behavior or training? Maybe you’re interested in connecting with other horse owners, learning about new products, or searching for the perfect piece of gear to complement your new riding goals. Or if you’re brand new to horses, you might be eager to learn all about your new passion and meet other people who share in it. Whatever you’re looking for in the horse world, you can find it at Equine Affaire in Ohio! 

Now proudly celebrating the thirtieth year of our event in Ohio, North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will be returning to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH, on April 11-14, 2024. Since its inception, Equine Affaire has been crafted by equestrians for equestrians – which means it’s an event tailor-made for horse lovers of all skill levels, disciplines, and backgrounds to come together and share their passion for horses. That’s exactly what our founder, Eugenia Snyder, had in mind when she launched the first Equine Affaire in 1994. Three decades later, our team is excited and proud to carry on an event that has become a beloved family tradition for tens of thousands of horse lovers. 

Come to Columbus this April and enjoy hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; a sprawling trade show; interactive activities; themed pavilions; breed demonstrations; and lots more, including Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse! Sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a nighttime theatrical extravaganza that features exciting performances by gorgeous horses and talented equestrians, all choreographed to music. Enjoy 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 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, plus many more! Spend the whole day at Equine Affaire, and then enjoy an evening of spectacular entertainment by attending Fantasia: it’s the best way to fill your day to the max with all things horse. 

Tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia are both available for purchase now at equineaffaire.com — and they make great Valentine’s Day gifts for the horse lover in your life! Advance general admission tickets are $16 for adults or $10 for children, ages 7-10. Four-day passes are $52. General admission tickets will also be available at the gate at $18 per single day adult, $55 per four-day adult ticket, and $10 single-day child. General admission is free for children, ages 6 & under, whether in advance or at the gate. Gate sales are cash only, so please plan accordingly. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16 to $25, depending on seating location. Fantasia show dates are Thursday, April 11; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 13; at 7:30 pm ET in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Club, organization, and association discounts are available for Thursday night’s Fantasia only – to receive this discount, call our office at (740) 845-0085. If you’re eager to attend Fantasia on a particular night or sit in a particular section, buy your Fantasia tickets early! Seats sell quickly, and you don’t want to miss this year’s show. 

Elevating the equestrian experience since 1994, Equine Affaire is the ultimate field trip for horse lovers. Plan now to spend a day – or four! — at the event and enjoy unparalleled learning opportunities at clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by the nation’s most elite equestrian educators. This spring, Equine Affaire is proud to present general horsemanship clinicians Mike Major, Ken McNabb, Pat Parelli, Steve Lantvit, and Chelsea Canedy, as well as discipline-specific clinicians Phillip Dutton (eventing), Kevin Raber (reining), Daniel Stewart (jumping, fitness, and sports psychology); Dave Treharne (roping), Tanner Keith (ranch sorting), Mark Bolender (mountain trail), Cynthia Hankins (hunter/jumper), Kristine May (barrel racing), Lauren Sammis (dressage), Stacey Giere (driving), Solange (stable riding system), Lynn Newton (Western dressage), Duane Esser (English pleasure), Matt McHugh (trailer driving), Kellie & Sam Rettinger (Draft horses), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Mid-Ohio Marauders (mounted shooting), the Young Guns 4H Drill Team (drill teams), and more.  

Many of these clinicians are also looking for riders to participate in their clinics. You can find more details on how to “Ride with a Pro” by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-ride-in-clinics/ohio-ride-with-a-pro-2/! Applications are due by February 15. Apply today for your opportunity to ride with – or have your horse trained by – some of the industry’s top-notch coaches, clinicians, trainers, and instructors, and enjoy the opportunity to enhance your skills in the saddle and engage with new perspectives on horsemanship and training.  

Brand new this year at Equine Affaire, Cowtown in Cooper is an exciting educational feature designed to showcase an assortment of cattle-oriented Western events through clinics and demos. Sponsored by Western Life Today, this two-day event will feature opportunities for applicants to ride in clinics with – and for attendees to learn from – such experts as Steve Lantvit, Tanner Keith, Ken McNabb, Dave Treharne, and others. Topics will include roping, boxing, ranch sorting, reining, and cutting. Wear your cowboy hats and cowboy boots and take part in an authentic Western experience on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 in Cooper Arena.  

Although the clinics are geared to educate attendees of all skill levels and backgrounds, there are a variety of learning opportunities specifically for people who are new to the industry or families with children who are interested in horses. The Equine Fundamentals Forum in the Celeste Center is the ideal place to start, featuring exhibits and activities about the basics of horsemanship and management as well as educational sessions in the EFF Demo Ring. The EFF also features crafts and activities for kids like a Stick Horse Rodeo (daily at 3 pm), where they can win fun prizes. Students, young adults, and adults in search of equine career or college opportunities are also invited to attend the College and Career Fair presentations by Dr. Karin Bump, which will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 2 pm in the EFF. The College and Career Fair is the perfect way to explore new opportunities in the industry and network with other professionals. On Sunday, April 14, young equestrians will enjoy watching the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Western 5S Finals Show from 9 am-5 pm in the Cooper Arena. Enjoy watching young equestrians compete in reining and horsemanship, and then seize your chance to learn about the IEA, which provides equestrian competition and instruction opportunities to middle and secondary school students. 

Next, visit the Voinovich Center and tour the Breed Pavilion, where you can interact with horses from a variety of breed organizations and associations and ask questions of knowledgeable representatives. You might even meet a live Breyer Horse! Then head over to the Gilligan Complex to tour the Horse & Farm Exhibits, where you can connect with horse owners and horse business owners and learn all about opportunities to visit local riding establishments, boarding facilities, or other businesses. The Horse & Farm Exhibits are also home to the Sale Stalls and the Adoption Affaire. Presented in partnership with the ASPCA Right Horse, the Adoption Affaire invites horse rescues and sanctuaries to bring healthy, adoptable horses to the event in hopes of finding new, forever homes among our attendees. Attendees can look for their next horse at the Adoption Affaire or by visiting horses in Sale Stalls, and even go on test rides (with the proper release forms).  

And speaking of shopping, Equine Affaire is home to the nation’s largest horse-related trade show, which sprawls across four buildings at the Ohio Expo Center. The trade show is the place to shop for all your horse and rider needs. Whether you’re outfitting one horse or several, need equipment for your farm or footing for your arena, want to purchase the perfect souvenir or need new boots and show clothes, you’ll find it in our trade show! Check out our list of exhibitors here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-trade-show/ohio-exhibitors/. More exhibitors will be added in the weeks and months to come, so keep checking back!  

Do you have used tack, riding apparel, or horse equipment that you no longer use, and you’d like to turn it into cash? Consign those items to the Marketplace Consignment Shop and allow our staff to sell your items while you tour the event. You might even earn back your admission and souvenir money! Featured in the northwest corner of the Voinovich Center, the Marketplace is a popular place to shop throughout the weekend for attendees who love to hunt for bargains on used goods. Our consignment fees are lower than other venues’ fees and consigning is easy. Sign up in advance to save $5 on your registration fee and expedite your consignment process when you arrive. Learn more on our website: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-sell/ohio-the-marketplace-consignment/ 

Love watching – or participating in – competitions? Then check out the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition and the brand-new Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge! First, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition features the opportunity for 25 pre-selected horse-and-rider pairs to traverse a challenging obstacle course and demonstrate their horsemanship skills in front of judge and featured clinician, Steve Lantvit. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top four riders, and the top ten riders will receive ribbons. Whether you want to ride in it or just watch, the VHRC is guaranteed to thrill! Apply to ride by February 15. Application materials are available here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-compete/ohio-versatile-horse-rider-competition/. The VHRC will take place at 1:30 pm on Friday, April 12, in the Coliseum.  

Or if you’re interested in competing on foot, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge is making its Ohio debut! Sponsored by Boot Barn, this fun new competition features three barnyard Olympic events. Participants can break a sweat in the Barn Chores Marathon, race their friends in the Bouncy Pony Race, or team up with a buddy in the Horse Nugget Relay, all in the name of good fun and the chance to win prizes and bragging rights. The GEFC will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 3 pm in the Voinovich Center. If you’d like to participate, visit the Information Booth in the Bricker Building prior to the competition to sign up.  

And speaking of interactive opportunities, there are even more! Draft horse fans will enjoy driving a draft horse or a pair of draft horses with the Whispery Pines Percherons on Friday, April 12, or Saturday, April 13. Sign up on site by visiting the Whispery Pines Percherons stalls in the Gilligan Complex near the green wall. If you’re a veteran, active duty, or a first responder, bring the whole family and sign up to participate in A Horse for Heroes with Operation Horses and Heroes. These activities offer our everyday heroes and their families a chance to experience the effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies and connect with an organization dedicated to helping veterans. To sign up, submit a Ride with a Pro application, or you can visit the OHH booth in the Voinovich on site. A Horse for Heroes will take place on Friday, April 12, and Sunday, April 14.  

Need help planning your trip? Check out our list of host hotels by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-attend/ohio-general-information/ohio-host-hotels/, and make sure to mention Equine Affaire when you book to receive special discounted rates. Camping spaces with electrical, water, and sewer hookups are available on the Ohio Expo Center grounds. Visit our website for more details on how to camp. Hours for the event are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Please note that the Ohio Expo Center charges for parking: $10/entry or $20/four day pass. For event maps and other details, visit equineaffaire.com today!  

Want to earn free admission to Equine Affaire? We’re looking for volunteers! Volunteers who work a certain number of hours can earn free admission, free four-day passes, and fun souvenirs, all while getting a backstage pass to one of the industry’s most well-run and expansive horse expos! Apply by February 26, 2024, by filling out our application form, available online: https://equineaffaire.com/events/ohio/ohio-participate/ohio-help/ohio-volunteer/. 

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, and Boot Barn. For more information about Equine Affaire, please visit equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

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