Equine Affaire Press Room

10 17

MEET THE 2024 MA VHRC RIDERS, PART 1!

LONDON, OH, October 18, 2024 – Next month, when Equine Affaire returns to the Eastern States Exposition, so does the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! Sponsored by Chewy, this exciting competition pits approximately 25 pre-selected horses and riders against each other in the pursuit of $5,500 in cash and other prizes, as well as the coveted title of the Versatile Horse and Rider Champion.  

The competition will take place on Friday, November 8, at 2 pm Eastern Time in the Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Here’s how the competition works. One at a time, a horse and rider pair races the clock as they navigate over, under, and around a series of obstacles in the coliseum arena. The obstacles are designed to test the communication between horse and rider as well as each competitor’s horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. Past obstacles have included jumps, balloon arches, pushing a salt block with a polo mallet, weaving poles, opening and closing rope gates, using a lance to spear a suspended ring, and many others. Riders receive limited information on the course until the afternoon of the competition, when they perform a walk-through and receive final instructions on how to navigate the various challenges.   

Tik Maynard will be the judge of this year’s competition. Based in Citra, FL, where he owns and operates Copperline Equestrian alongside his wife, Sinead Halpin Maynard, Tik Maynard is a 4* three-day event rider who has earned many accolades both in and out of the show ring. The master of ceremonies will be Noah Rattner, the official Voice of Equine Affaire. The top five riders will win cash and rosettes, while the fifth through tenth place riders will receive rosettes. The first-place winner receives $2,500 in cash, a Champion rosette, and the title of “Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champion.” The second-place rider wins $1,500 and a reserve champion rosette; third place earns $1,000 and a rosette; and fourth place wins $500 and a rosette.   

Who will win this year? You’ll have to attend to find out!  

Equine Affaire is proud to begin introducing you to this year’s class of 2024 VHRC Competitors. In this press release, meet the first five competitors:   

KELLY CONN  

Horse: Xing The Delaware, 11-year-old Standardbred gelding 

Foaled in 2013 at Kelly’s uncle’s farm, Xing the Delaware was supposed to be a racehorse – but fate had other ideas. When “George” didn’t make it to the races, he became Kelly’s project horse. She played with him and broke him to ride on his 3rd birthday. Today, George is 11 years old and stands at 16.1 HH. George and Kelly compete regularly in open dressage shows, and also enjoy driving, jumping, showmanship, and trail riding. According to Kelly, their greatest accomplishments are serving as ambassadors “for the best breed in the world, the Standardbred!” and receiving the 2018 New Jersey Standardbred Superior Achievement Award.

 BRITTANY MAYER 

Horse: My Sharoana’s Time to Shine, 20-year-old grade Quarter Horse mare 

Brittany is a trainer and a riding instructor from Cumberland, Rhode Island, with a background in both English and Western disciplines. At the 2023 Massachusetts VHRC, she claimed first place aboard “Roanie,” and took second place with Coppy That. Brittany and Roanie have been a team for more than 13 years and enjoy showing Western pleasure, ranch versatility and English pleasure. When she isn’t in the show ring with Brittany, Roanie is used as a lesson horse and as a confidence booster for young horses to be ponied. Brittany hopes to have continued success this year, but most of all, she looks forward to tackling the challenging course again with her most trusted partner, Roanie. 


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AMANDA MALONE 

Horse: Amora, 7-year-old Norwegian Fjord mare 

 Amanda and Amora have been a team for six years. Amora came to Amanda as a starved one and a half year old filly. Fast-forward six years later, and they’ve trained or participated in ranch, trail, parades, driving, and more. Amanda says Amora is always willing to try new things and has taken many new people through mounted police clinics and trail rides. Amora is Amanda’s most trusted horse when she needs a calm, steady mount. 


CARRIE LESTER 

Horse: Yourkiddinmebrenna, 5-year-old American Quarter Horse mare 

 A veterinarian, a mother, and a wife, Carrie is enjoying “trying to live [her] dream of having a fancy horse” with Yourkiddinmebrenna. “Split” is reining-bred and spent her first two and a half years of life on Carrie’s parents’ 30-acre farm in Minnesota, growing up with space and grass. In November of 2021, Split came to Rhode Island to start her education. Carrie has performed the majority of Split’s training herself, with a little help from some friends. The pair enjoy reining and cow work.  



CHRIS REINBOLD 

Horse: Desi, 5-year-old American Quarter Horse mare 

Chris is a retired dairy farmer from western New York. He has loved and ridden horses since he was a child and had a pony of his own that he rode all over the countryside. He bought Desi as a green four-year-old with the intention of training and selling her, but she proved to be such an incredible partner that he decided she was “the one” for him. Chris trained his “resale fail” himself from the ground up.   

“She has impressed me with how intelligent she is. She has the most try of any horse I’ve ever swung a leg over,” Chris says. “Desi wants nothing more than to be loved and doted on and will fall asleep during her grooming sessions. She will be with me forever.” 

Are you excited for this year’s Versatile Horse and Rider Competition yet? Plan to attend Equine Affaire on Friday, November 8, and watch the competition unfold in the coliseum. 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! Tickets are on sale now.

 

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10 08

HORSE AROUND AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

LONDON, OH, October 8, 2024 – Wondering what’s waiting for you at Equine Affaire? Horses, horses, and more horses! For more than 25 years, Equine Affaire has proudly served North America as its premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering for equestrians from all corners of the industry. Join us at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, for four days of educational and fun clinics, seminars, and demonstrations; exciting competitions; hands-on activities; a sprawling trade show; and lots more, including Fantasia, a thrilling nighttime show that combines music with the beauty and grace of horses to create magic for horse lovers of all ages.  

If you love horses, Equine Affaire and Fantasia are can’t-miss entertainment! Tickets for both events are on sale now via equineaffaire.com and the Western Edge mobile app for iPhone and Android. Whether you purchase your tickets online or through the app, you’ll receive them in your email – but make sure you keep the app on your phone! Through Western Edge, you’ll have all the event details available at your fingertips, including a venue map, the event schedule, exhibitor listings, and much more. Stay up to date on all things Equine Affaire with Western Edge and enjoy some exciting surprises along the way! 

General admission tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Bring the whole family and enjoy access to the trade show, theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations, as well as a variety of immersive activities. Hours for the show are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. While you’re buying your general admission tickets, don’t forget to buy your Fantasia tickets! Review the seating map in the app to select the right seats for you and your friends. Tickets for Fantasia range from $16-$27. Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia will take place for three nights only on November 7, 8, and 9 in the Coliseum. Doors open at 6:45 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm each evening.  

Ready for a sneak peek into some of Equine Affaire’s incredible attractions?   

  • NEW! The Breed Bonanza, sponsored by Sentinel by Kent and Blue Seal, is a brand-new competition coming to Equine Affaire on Sunday, November 10! Featuring both a Youth and an Adult section, this unique under saddle rail class will showcase all three gaits (or equivalent for gaited horses) in both directions. A carefully curated panel of three judges, consisting of a breeder, a horse show judge, and a professional trainer, will bring their unique backgrounds and perspectives to the ring as they select and crown the inaugural Breed Bonanza winners. Make sure to attend and cheer on these horses and riders! They’ll be dressed in their Sunday best and ready to shine.  
  • Equine Affaire is home to the largest horse-related trade show in the east. Browse acres of booths sprawled across multiple buildings – and while you shop, support your favorite trade show exhibitors through the Best Booth Award contest. On Thursday afternoon of the event, the Equine Affaire staff will tour the show to select the top five finalist booths based on a selection of criteria, including innovation, creativity, and visual interest. These booths will be photographed and then posted on our official Facebook and Instagram profiles so that fans can vote for their favorites until Saturday, November 9 at noon. Keep an eye out for the winning announcement on Saturday, then visit the winner’s booth on Sunday to congratulate them! 
  • Brimming with horse breeds ranging from the familiar to the exotic, Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion is home to dozens of horses who serve as friendly and beautiful ambassadors for their breeds. Visitors can walk through the Breed Pavilion any time during the event and take selfies with the horses, meet their owners, and learn more about their registries and associations. 
  • Looking for a new horse? Visit the Horse & Farm Exhibits in the C-Barn and find the Adoption Affaire! Featured in partnership with the ASPCA Right Horse, the Adoption Affaire showcases healthy, adoptable horses of a variety of ages, breeds, and disciplines from multiple rescues and sanctuaries. You can meet the horses, go on a test-ride with the appropriate releases, and apply to adopt. 
  • Want to compete at Equine Affaire, but you don’t have a horse? No problem! The Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Boot Barn, is a competition that’s free to enter for all Equine Affaire attendees, no horse required! Happening Saturday, November 9, at 3:00 pm in the Young building, the GEFC will feature a barn chores marathon and a bouncy pony race. To sign up, visit the announcer’s table outside the GGT Arena in the Young building prior to the competition. Prizes will be awarded to the top ten participants in each event. Flex your hard-earned barn muscles and have a great time, or just come ready to cheer on your friends and enjoy commentary from our master of ceremonies, Coach Daniel Stewart! 
  • NEW! Enjoy a leisurely drive in regal style around the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in a gorgeous stagecoach, drawn by two beautiful Percherons. Stagecoach rides can accommodate up to six people and will be available each day of the event for an extra fee. To sign up, visit the Whispery Pines Percherons’ stalls in the C-Barn during Equine Affaire. Stagecoach rides will begin on the south side of the Coliseum.  
  • Speaking of Percherons, the highly popular Drive a Draft activity is back! Hosted in partnership with the Whispery Pines Percherons, attendees can learn how to ground drive a draft horse or a pair of draft horses under the supervision of expert drivers Sam and Kellie Rettinger! This activity is free with the price of admission, but sign-ups will be required at the event. Drive a Draft will take place on Friday, November 8, from 11 am to 1 pm and on Saturday, November 9 from 12 pm to 2 pm. To sign up, visit the Whispery Pines Percherons’ stalls in C-Barn on the morning of the activity.  
  • There’s even more waiting for you at Equine Affaire, but you’ll have to visit to experience it for yourself!  

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-entry parking passes and four-day parking passes will be available for purchase at the gates. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance by visiting the link on our website at https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-locationevent-hours/. Upon purchase, you’ll receive a QR code which you’ll present at the gates to be scanned and redeemed for a 4-day hanger.  

Reserve a room with any one of our 2024 host hotel partners and take advantage of special rates and room blocks by mentioning Equine Affaire! See our host hotels here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/. Or if you’d like to camp on site, visit our website for details: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-campinglodging/. No advance registration is required for camping, and the campgrounds will open to the public at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6. 

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; Fair Hill Saddlery; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Sentinel by Kent and Blue Seal; Chewy; and Boot Barn. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

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09 12

FOR THE GOOD OF THE HORSE

LONDON, OH, September 12, 2024 – As an equestrian, there is no better gift to give your horse than investing wisely in your skills and your knowledge. The more you know about how horses think, act, behave, communicate, and move, the better equipped you’ll be as a horseperson to work with them for the ultimate good of the horse. That’s why attending Equine Affaire needs to be more than just a “someday!” item on your bucket list. Attending North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will be the highlight of your fall – and the ultimate reward for you and your horse! Tickets are on sale now via equineaffaire.com, or through the Western Edge mobile app.

Come to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, and seize the opportunity to learn from such equestrian all-stars as Guy McLean, Chris Irwin, Tik Maynard, and Ryan Rose. Our four-day event schedule is jam-packed with hundreds of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by these horsemen, as well as dozens of other elite equestrian educators, each of them with their own perspectives and their own ideas about how to work with horses. No matter what your skill level is or what corner of the industry you ride in, there’s something for you to learn at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts!

Equine Affaire is pleased to recognize our 2024 Massachusetts class of clinicians:

Guy McLean is a self-taught, Australian-born horse trainer and teacher who possesses an uncanny ability to entertain an audience with his magnetic personality, authentic bush poetry, quick wit, cracking stock whips, and almost supernatural connection with horses. Through a complete love of horses and a burning desire to “find better ways” of building relationships with horses, Mr. McLean developed his own training methods to “ask” the horse to do the job as a partner. He has won multiple colt-starting championships in Australia and America, is a two-time Australian Bush Poetry Champion, and was recognized as “Ambassador of the Outback” in 2002 and 2006. While maintaining a home base in Australia, Mr. McLean now travels throughout the United States to perform and present at prominent equestrian events, including the World Equestrian Games, the National Rodeo Finals, Dressage at Devon, the Washington International Horse Show, and major equine expos and fairs. He has also produced an educational DVD series to share his training approaches and philosophies with riders of all disciplines.

Chris Irwin is an internationally renowned horseman, best-selling author, and innovative personal development coach. In his early days in Nevada, Mr. Irwin trained 18 U.S. National Champions with wild mustangs in riding and driving events. Now with a focus on “training the trainers,” Chris lectures at veterinary colleges, coaches Grand Prix and Olympic Dressage riders in Europe, and delivers a variety of equestrian programs from his American base at Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam, CT.  In 2017, the FEI reached out to Chris for consultation on improving the education of FEI officials due to his “tremendous experience and reputation as a horseman.”

Tik Maynard began riding in Vancouver, Canada where he achieved his ‘A’ in Pony Club. He is a 4* three-day event rider who has earned many accolades both in and out of the show ring. Mr. Maynard has won the Freestyle at the Thoroughbred Makeover twice and judged it once. This past March, he won Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting, at the Kentucky Horse Park. In addition to being an accomplished writer, Mr. Maynard is an instructor for Noelle Floyd Equestrian Masterclass. He is the author of “In The Middle Are The Horsemen,” published in 2018, and has contributed articles to Practical Horseman, Chronicle of the Horse, Horseman’s Journal, and Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine.

Ryan Rose began his career as a professional horse trainer and clinician in 2005. In 2007 and 2008, he won the Equifest Colt Starting Championship. Throughout his career, he has studied with many top world-class horsemen, including Pat Parelli. Mr. Rose teaches workshops and clinics all over the world and teaches a comprehensive training program based out of Rose Horsemanship in Brooklyn, WI. His skills in horse development and his ability to teach equestrians set him apart from other clinicians. He also enjoys competing and training horses in ranch versatility. Mr. Rose specializes in colt starting, solving behavioral problems in challenging horses, and ranch versatility. You can see more from Ryan Rose by visiting his YouTube channel, @ryanrosehorsemanship, and by attending Equine Affaire in Massachusetts.

Attendees will also enjoy participating in clinics, seminars, and demonstration presented by the following experts and industry professionals:

Lauren Sammis…Dressage

Traci Brooks…Hunter/Jumper

Barbra Schulte…Cutting & Sports Psychology

Beth Baumert…Dressage

Marci Quist…Driving

Daniel Stewart…Jumping & Sports Psychology

Ben Longwell…Vaquero

Kevin Raber…Reining

Ivy Starnes…Easy Gaited Horses

Solange…Stable Riding

Mary Miller Jordan…Liberty

Kellie & Sam Rettinger…Draft Horses

Mini-Doves Equestrian Drill Team…Miniature Horses

Rebecca Platz…Mini Obstacle Course

Celisse Barrett…Mounted Archery

Renegade Drill Team…Drill Team

Copper Hill Vaulting Team…Vaulting

Review a full list of our presenters and topics on our website: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/educational-program/mass-presenters/. Check out the link to our latest event schedule located near the top of the page.

Elevate your equestrian experience with tickets to Equine Affaire, on sale now. The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the expo are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. To purchase your tickets, visit https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-tickets/ or download the Western Edge app and utilize the Equine Affaire portal.

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-day parking passes and four-day parking passes can be purchased at the gates upon arrival. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-locationevent-hours/. Information about host hotels and additional information are available on equineaffaire.com.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; Fair Hill Saddlery; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Blue Seal; Chewy; and Boot Barn. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

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08 22

A NEW COMPETITION IS COMING

LONDON, OH, August 21, 2024 – Do you remember what it felt like the first time you met a horse in person? What about the first time you saw a rare breed — or the first time you met the breed that would become part of your life forever? Meeting horses at Equine Affaire has served as the start of a love affair for tens of thousands of equestrians over the past twenty-six years. We can’t wait to kickstart even more horse-human relationships this fall with our outstanding breed exhibits and the Breed Bonanza, a brand-new competition coming to Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. 

Debuting on Sunday, November 10, in the US Equestrian Coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition, the Breed Bonanza is a unique under-saddle class designed to highlight horses from across the industry. Sponsored by Blue Seal, the class will be open to all breeds and disciplines, with the winner selected based on the quality of gaits, horsemanship, and turnout. Our judging panel – consisting of a breeder, a horse show judge, and a professional trainer – will be looking for the standout horse and rider combination who epitomizes the cream of the crop. It will be the perfect opportunity for horses and riders of all types, shapes, breeds, and disciplines to shine, and for one lucky adult winner and one lucky youth winner to become the inaugural Breed Bonanza Champions! 

Equine Affaire is accepting entries for the Breed Bonanza until September 6. To apply, click here to download an application, review the rules, and more. The competition will feature one section for adult riders and one for youth riders, ages 12-18. Exhibitors in our Breed Pavilion receive one complimentary entry, which means our attendees will enjoy the chance to watch some of the very same horses they’ll meet over the course of the event strut their stuff in the class on Sunday. 

And speaking of meeting horses, the Breed Pavilion and the Horse and Farm Exhibits at Equine Affaire will be open Thursday, November 7, through Sunday, November 10, at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, Massachusetts. Hundreds of horses representing dozens of different breeds will be on site to populate these exhibits. Their owners and breed representatives will be right alongside them, ready to teach and share about what makes each breed so special and unique. Under saddle demonstrations of the breeds featured in the Breed Pavilion will also be conducted throughout the weekend in the main clinic arenas, which means attendees can develop a new appreciation for the conformation, characteristics, and aptitudes of horses of different breeds and types. 

The Breed Pavilion will be located in the Stroh Building, while the Horse & Farm Exhibits will be housed in C-Barn. The Horse & Farm Exhibits are the perfect place to meet horses and people from local farms, learn about stallions standing at stud, and meet horses for sale – as well as horses up for adoption! The Adoption Affaire will take place during the event, featuring dozens of healthy, adoptable horses from various breeds, disciplines, types, and ages. The adoptable horses will be presented by ASPCA Right Horse representatives or by representatives from many local horse shelters, sanctuaries, and rescues, who work year-round to find forever homes for horses and donkeys in need. If you’ve ever been curious about New England rescues and sanctuaries, the Horse & Farm Exhibits are the place to visit and learn about how to support the important work of these organizations. Looking to meet your next right horse? Consider adoption at Equine Affaire! Information about adoptable horses will be available a week or two prior to the event via our website and social media channels, but the best way to meet your new best friend is by attending the event in person! 

If you’re interested in exhibiting your horses at Equine Affaire, visit our Breed Pavilion or Horse & Farm Exhibits pages. For questions, email Jessica Feasel, our horse exhibits coordinator, at jfeasel@equineaffaire.com. 

Tickets are on sale now for Equine Affaire, North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the expo are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. To purchase your tickets, click here or download the Western Edge app and utilize the Equine Affaire portal.  

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-day parking passes and four-day parking passes can be purchased at the gates upon arrival. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance. Information about host hotels and additional information is available online!

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors, including Equine Medical & Surgical Associates; US Equestrian; GGT Footing; Horizon Structures; Fair Hill Saddlery; LRP Matting; Pro Earth Animal Health; Tribute Equine Nutrition; Custom Equine Nutrition; Blue Seal; Chewy; and Boot Barn. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire! 

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08 08

PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED BY FANTASIA

LONDON, OH, August 8, 2024 – Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse, Fantasia, is the stuff a horse lover’s daydreams are made of! Whether you love watching drill teams weave whimsical patterns throughout the arena, enjoy the elegant dance of a dressage, reining, or liberty freestyle, or savor the thrill of seeing mounted archers strike their targets with mind-blowing precision, this is the equestrian show for you. If you attend Fantasia this year, prepare to be astounded by acts like these – and many more!

Sponsored by Equine Medical and Surgical Associates, Fantasia is a two-hour theatrical show returning to the Eastern States Exposition on November 7, 8, and 9. With just three performances and a limited number of seats available, don’t wait to buy these tickets! Get yours today by going online to equineaffaire.com or by downloading the Western Edge mobile app to your phone and purchasing though the Equine Affaire portal.

This fall’s Fantasia will feature thrilling acts by some of the country’s most talented horsemen and horsewomen. The Whispery Pines Percherons and the Valley View Miniatures will show off the big and the little of the horse world in a charming double driving act, guaranteed to delight fans of drafts and minis alike. Equestrian Chaos is an incredibly talented all-female team of mounted archers – outfitted in beautiful leather armor and escorted by their very own herald – who will take the arena by storm and dazzle audiences with both their aim and their gymnastic abilities in the saddle. If you’ve ever heard of the Man from Snowy River, you’ll want to stay glued to your seat for Guy McLean’s whip cracks, wise cracks, and spoken word poetry as he guides his Australian stock horses around the arena on horseback and at liberty. And if liberty – and unicorns – are among a few of your favorite things, you’ll adore Mary Miller Jordan’s sweet freestyle liberty routine as she explores a little horse-crazy girl’s dream world. Lauren Sammis and Daisy van Wittenstein will star in a golden, glittering dressage freestyle, set to tunes that will make you want to jump up and dance with them. Reining fans, prep your whistles and cheers: 2022 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Champion, Kevin Raber, will share his award-winning reining freestyle in our fall Fantasia. The award-winning Renegade Equestrian Drill Team will set the arena ablaze and energize you with a dazzling drill routine set to heart-thumping, high-octane music. We’re also thrilled to welcome the talented children and miniature horses of the Mini-Doves Equestrian Drill Team, who will win your hearts and inspire your own children with what’s possible when a horse and a child trust each other.

Why not give yourself and your family an incredible early Christmas gift this November? Get your tickets to Fantasia today by visiting our tickets page. Tickets to Fantasia range from $16 to $27. The show begins at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 7; Friday, November 8; and Saturday, November 9. The doors open for seating at 6:45 pm. For assistance with special seating for those with disabilities, please call Western Edge directly at (833) 329-3277.

If you’re planning to attend Fantasia, why not visit Equine Affaire, too? Equine Affaire is North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The event will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 7-10, 2024. Hours for the expo are from 9 am to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets to Equine Affaire are $18/day for adults or $55 for a four-day pass; children’s tickets are available for $10/day for children ages 7-10; and children six and under are admitted for free. Admission includes access to the trade show, all theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge, the Breed Bonanza, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations.

Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges for parking. Single-day parking passes and four-day parking passes can be purchased at the gates upon arrival. You can also purchase a four-day parking pass in advance by going here.

Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the support of Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, sponsor of the 2024 Fantasia. To learn more about Equine Affaire, visit www.equineaffaire.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @equineaffaire. We’ll see you at Equine Affaire!

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ELEVATING THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE SINCE 1994 TM