Equine Affaire Press Room

THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

On Friday, November 12, 2021, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition returns to the Eastern States Exposition! Judged by Ed Dabney, eighteen horse-and-rider pairs will race through a timed obstacle course in pursuit of $5,500 in cash and other prizes. In this post, meet four of the horse-and-rider pairs who will ride in this exciting competition at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Sponsored by Nutrena, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition is an event not to be missed!

---

 

Lisa Doyle

Horse: Dagger L.S.F. Ster, 12-year-old Friesian gelding

Lisa and “Harry” have come a long way together in just two and a half years. According to Lisa, when their partnership began, Harry would bolt when confronted with challenging situations. But today, he has become a confident and brave partner for Lisa. Together, they compete in a variety of disciplines, from team penning and mounted shooting to dressage, pleasure, breed shows, and more! They also competed in the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Nicolina Foti

Horse: Ginger, 22-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Nicolina has been dreaming of competing in the VHRC ever since she was a little girl, and this year, her dream is coming true. Nicolina and Ginger have been partners for 18 years and grew up together. They’ve done it all, including English and Western pleasure, show jumping, Hunter paces, gymkhana, ranch horse, team penning, cutting, team roping, polo, and trail riding. This year, they’re excited to compete in their first VHRC together and see just what they can accomplish together.

Amanda Malone

Horse: Ironwood Turbo, 16-year-old Norwegian Fjord gelding

With both championships and ribbons to their name, Amanda and “Turbo” are a team to be reckoned with. They compete in 3-day eventing, combined tests, competitive mountain trail rides, foxhunting, and more. Turbo also loves to play on the teeter-totter and the Vegas box and enjoys going swimming.

Danielle Gauvin

Horse: Put A Little Pep In Your Step, 17-year-old Quarter Horse gelding

Danielle says “Pep” is a jack of all trades and a true athlete. This pair have done everything together, including gymkhana, jumping, and more. They’ve won the Woodstock Fair Classic in barrel racing and pole bending, made many accomplishments in the National Barrel Horse Association, and competed in eventing and jumping. This year, they’re looking forward to testing themselves in the 2021 VHRC in Massachusetts.

---

Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

THE FACES OF THE 2021 VERSATILE HORSE AND RIDER COMPETITION

Sponsored by Nutrena, the hugely popular Versatile Horse and Rider Competition will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition during Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Under the watchful eyes of this year’s judge, internationally acclaimed clinician Ed Dabney, competitors will tackle a timed obstacle course specially designed to test their horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. This year, eighteen horse-and-rider pairs are slated to compete for $5,500 in cash and other prizes. In this post, meet the first four horses and riders who will compete in this fall’s exciting event!

---

April Baronas

Horse: Que Sera Sera, 21-year-old Chincoteague Pony mare

Partnered for more than five years, April and “Moon” compete in obstacles, trail, eventing, and hunt seat equitation. April and Moon have competed in three previous VHRC competitions, placing in the top 10 each time. Although Moon is now 21 years old, April says the little mare is as capable and solid as ever, and the pair are excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition.

Jackie Rappel

Horse: Beckett’s Hickory Doc, 20-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding

Jackie and “Roanie” have earned a number of buckles in reined cow horse, versatility, and cow sorting events. They’ve also competed in the VHRC a total of five times, taking home a 4^th place one year and a 5^th place another year. Although Roanie is now semi-retired, Jackie has high hopes for competing in this year’s VHRC and can’t wait to ride into the coliseum aboard Roanie once again.

Danelle Osinchuk

Horse: Slip Me a Dual Pep, 21-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding

VHRC veteran competitors Danelle and “Magic” enjoy competing in O.H.I.O EXCA events and versatility competitions. Together, they’ve earned multiple year-end championships in stock horse events and are leading the buckle series in O.H.I.O EXCA for the intermediate and non-pro divisions. The pair also won the 2019 Massachusetts Versatile Horse and Rider Competition. When he’s not competing, Magic spends his days teaching Danelle’s kids how to ride.

Geoff Goodson

Horse: Takota, 17-year-old Mustang gelding

Geoff Goodson is a certified journeyman farrier as well as the owner-operator of Geoff Goodson Horsemanship and Double G Farm. Geoff has been working with “Taco,” an unbranded mustang gelding, for more than ten years. Taco is an accomplished all-around horse, with experience in obstacles, Western dressage, trail riding, and winter skijoring. Geoff will also be competing in the VHRC aboard Stella, another mustang; you can learn more about Geoff and Stella in Part 3 of this series.

---

Don’t miss the excitement! Admission to the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is included with every general admission ticket to Equine Affaire. The competition will be held in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 1:00-5:00pm EST. For more information, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/.

 

Do you love sharing your horses, your favorite discipline or your equine business with other horse lovers? If you do, then there’s no better place for you to exhibit this fall than at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts! Equine Affaire will take place November 11-14, 2021, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. As North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire is the go-to destination for tens of thousands of equestrians from all around the United States and beyond. In addition to providing top-notch education and entertainment, Equine Affaire gives horse lovers the opportunity to network with each other through its hugely popular Horse & Farm Exhibits.

Located in C-Barn at the Eastern States Exposition, the Horse & Farm Exhibits provide the perfect place for horse owners, farm owners and equine service providers to connect with customers who are interested in all breeds of horses and a variety of equestrian disciplines. Bring your horses to exhibit as breed representatives in the Horse & Farm stalls, and you could become part of a new horse lover’s introduction to the world of horses. If you have horses for sale, consider marketing your horses to thousands of potential buyers in For Sale stalls. Do you own and operate an equine rescue or horse sanctuary? You’re invited to bring your adoptable horses to participate in the Adoption Affaire, a special event produced by Equine Affaire to help horses in need find their new forever homes. Adoptable horses will be stabled in C-barn along with sale horses and the Horse & Farm Exhibits, which means they’ll be seen and visited by thousands of potential adopters over the course of the event.

If you’d like to participate, submit your materials as early as possible. All For Sale stalls are $150 and include a 10 x 10 inline stall in the C-barn, a “For Sale” sign to post on the stall and a free listing pre-event on equineaffaire.com, plus two 4-day adult tickets to Equine Affaire ($100 value). You must commit to exhibiting your sale horses at least two days of the event; if your horse is sold, another horse may be substituted. Potential buyers, ages 19 and over, may test ride your horse at the event with the proper releases. Horse & Farm stalls are $150 for an inline stall, $175 for an end stall on the outer aisle of the barn or $200 for an end stall on the main center aisle of the barn. All stalls are 10 x 10 and include a one-line listing of the stall number, farm name, horse breed and phone number (or website) on our website before the event as well as in the official event program. Horse & Farm Stalls also include two 4-day adult tickets to Equine Affaire. Tack stalls are available for $100 each. Stall applications, payment and information must be received by September 10, 2021, so apply today!

Ready to learn more about the Horse & Farm Exhibits, apply to participate and more? Visit equineaffaire.com, select the Massachusetts event, click “Attend” and then “Horse & Farm Exhibits.” You can also contact Karin Brennan at (740) 845-0085, ext. 112 or email kbrennan@equineaffaire.com. Exhibitors may also participate in the Breed Pavilion demonstrations or sessions; just ask when you submit your materials.

We can’t wait to see you at Equine Affaire! Visit us online at equineaffaire.com for updates between now and November. If you have questions, call our office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9:00am-5:00pm EST, Monday-Friday.

Equine Affaire extends our grateful thanks to our sponsors: Absorbine®, US Equestrian, Farnam, Horizon Structures, GGT Footing, Nutrena®, Cowboy Magic and Mane N Tail. To learn more about our sponsors, plan to visit their booths in the trade show this fall.

Are you ready to experience the wonder and magic of Fantasia? Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse returns this fall to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, for three spectacular nighttime performances! Become part of the magic on Thursday, November 11; Friday, November 12; or Saturday, November 13 at 7:30 pm in the Coliseum. Sponsored by Absorbine®, every performance of the Fantasia is unique and filled with exciting equestrian performances, novelty acts and elite demonstrations of multiple disciplines, such as liberty, drill team routines, Spanish garrocha, driving, and more. With just three performances, tickets will sell out fast – so buy your tickets online today at EquineAffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085.

Fans of Fantasia know that when the lights go down in the Coliseum, the stars come out in the form of dancing horses and riders. This fall, there’s no end to the stars that will illuminate the Coliseum arena. Third generation circus animal trainer Jenny Vidbel O’Donnell will thrill audiences with a liberty performance featuring 16 horses and ponies. Coached by champions, the Diamond D Cowgirls Mounted Drill Team performs exciting, star-spangled drill routines at rodeos, competitions and events across the nation, and this year, they’ll bring their own particular brand of magic to the Fantasia! National champion para athlete Fred Win will perform Spanish garrocha and light up the coliseum with the beauty and grace of his performance. Featuring spins, circles and thrilling stops, renowned National Reining Horse Association Professional Horseman Bryan Penquite’s reining routine will bring audiences to their feet. If you’ve never seen a high school long-lining routine set to music, then you don’t want to miss lifelong horsewoman Christine Drentwett’s fabulous performance. Other acts will include a pas de deux, Gypsy Vanner driving and more. You never know what you’ll see at Fantasia.

Ready to purchase your tickets for Fantasia? Depending on your seat selection, tickets cost $14, $18, $20 or $25. Tickets sell out quickly, so reserve your seat today! General admission tickets for Equine Affaire are also on sale now. You can purchase your Fantasia and Equine Affaire tickets online at EquineAffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire Office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9 am to 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the official sponsor of Fantasia, Absorbine®. To learn more about Absorbine® and its family of products, visit their booth in the trade show at Equine Affaire this fall, November 11-14, 2021. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

From the recreational trail rider to the top eventer, there’s always something new to learn for every equestrian. This fall, join us at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts for an educational equine extravaganza. This year’s event includes more than 150 individual clinics, seminars and demonstrations with some of the industry’s most renowned horsemen and horsewomen, so it’s the perfect time to seize your chance to Ride with a Pro! Apply by September 10, 2021, for your opportunity to participate in a clinic with our featured general horsemanship clinicians, Ken McNabb, Dan James, Lynn Palm and JR Robles, or with the discipline-specific clinician of your choice. More than 20 presenters have confirmed so far, and additional clinicians will be announced in the coming months as we count down to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts on November 11-14, 2021.

With educational sessions for riders of all disciplines at all skill levels, there is a clinic tailor-made for you. Need help with general horsemanship? Apply to ride with Ken McNabb, Dan James, Lynn Palm or JR Robles. Elevate your dressage skills with Lendon Gray and Stephen Hayes or try your hand at Western dressage with Lynn Palm. Reining and ranch horse fans will delight in working with Bryan Penquite, while trail and general horsemanship enthusiasts should apply to ride with Ed Dabney. Other confirmed clinicians include Laura Kelland May (hunter/jumper), Steven Stevens (general horsemanship), Bob Giles (driving), Shaina Humphrey (hunter under saddle), Anita Howe (easy gaited horses), Karen Rohlf (biomechanics), Luke Reinbold (trail obstacles), Stephanie Hayes (working equitation), Wendy Murdoch (SureFoot, Murdoch Method) and Sharon Wilsie (Horse Speak®). Stay tuned to equineaffaire.com or follow us on social media @EquineAffaire as more presenters are announced.

To apply to Ride with a Pro, visit equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, click “Participate” and then “Ride with a Pro”) or you can contact Lori Helsel at lhelsel@equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085, ext. 107. Fees for clinics range from $75-$350. All clinic fees include participation in the clinic, admission to Equine Affaire on the day of the clinic and twenty-four hours of stabling for your horse. All applications are due by September 10, 2021.

It’s also time to apply for the 2021 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, which will take place on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Put your horsemanship skills to the ultimate test by competing with other horse and rider pairs in a timed obstacle race! The course for the VHRC will be constructed within the coliseum arena and may feature any number of trail obstacles and riding challenges, such as backing through patterns, pole bending, gymkhana games, working gates and others. With $5,500 in prize money at stake, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to showcase your horse’s exceptional talents and willingness to please! Cash and other prizes are available for the top ten riders. Riders must be at least 18 years old to apply. For application materials and other details, visit equineaffaire.com and select the Massachusetts event, click “Participate” and then click “Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.”

General admission tickets and Fantasia tickets are on sale now through equineaffaire.com or by calling the main office. If you’re ready to plan your trip to Massachusetts, visit our website for a list of host hotels, location and event hours, health and safety guidelines and more. For questions or ticket orders, call our office at (740) 845-0085 any time from 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!