Equine Affaire Press Room

Buy your tickets, book your hotel reservations, and prepare to experience the best of Equine Affaire.

Shake off those winter blues by making plans to attend Equine Affaire in Ohio this spring! On April 2-5, 2020, elevate your equestrian experience by attending Equine Affaire at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. As North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire offers horse lovers the opportunity to spend four days surrounded by everything to do with horses, from clinics and educational demonstrations to barns filled with horse and farm exhibits to the largest equine-themed trade show in the Midwest. Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are on sale now, so purchase your digital tickets online today at equineaffaire.com.

General admission tickets for adults are just $15/day or $50/four-day pass; for children ages 7-10, tickets are $8/day; for children ages 6 and under, admission is free. Spend your day browsing the trade show, visiting theme pavilions, cheering on your favorite riders in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, or learning all about horses from the many clinics, seminars and demonstrations that make Equine Affaire a top educational destination for horse lovers everywhere.

Tickets for Equine Affaire in Ohio are now digital, so after purchase, your electronic ticket will be delivered to you via email. Store your electronic ticket on your phone for scanning upon arrival or print at home and present your printed tickets at the gate. Hours for the event are 9 am to 7 pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Please note the Ohio Expo Center charges for parking.

All equestrians know the old saying: “There’s always something new to learn in the horse industry.” With a robust schedule of more than 200 educational sessions, Equine Affaire offers learning opportunities for equestrians of all skill levels and disciplines. At this year’s event, learn more about general training and horsemanship from Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard and Lynn Palm. Other featured topics and clinicians include Lynn Palm (Western dressage), JR Robles (general training and colt starting), Jim Thomas (general training and horsemanship), Jonathon Millar (hunter/jumper), Jeremy Steinberg (dressage), Kevin Oliver (reining and trail), Kristin Weaver Brown (barrel racing), Liz Austin (dressage), Heidi Potter (Centered Riding®), Rick Christy (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Suzy Stafford (driving), Simon Cocozza (core strengthening and yoga for horses), Gary Lane (easy gaited horses), Sarah Track (saddleseat), Jerry Paulsen (equine assisted activities), Paul Garrison (mules), Heidi McLaughlin (overcoming fear), Maggie Herlensky (sidesaddle), Laura Benson and Carrie Brandt (Icelandics), the Young Guns Equestrian Drill Team (drill teams), and much more.

For visitors who are new to the horse industry, consider starting your day at the Equine Fundamentals Forum. The Forum features hands-on exhibits and fun educational displays about the basics of equine health care and management. Originally designed to help introduce kids to the wide world of horses, the Equine Fundamentals Forum has become dedicated to educating horse lovers of all ages, including adults.

And for aspiring equestrians, take part in the college/career fair on Saturday, which starts in the Equine Fundamentals Forum at 10:00am. Learn about equine-related careers, educational opportunities, and take part in a scavenger hunt throughout the event to win fun prizes.

Between clinics, browse Equine Affaire’s legendary trade show. Sprawling across five buildings and featuring more than 350 vendors, you’re guaranteed to find whatever you need (or want!) for you, your horse or that special equestrian in your life at Equine Affaire in Ohio. If you have tack or other horse-related items to sell, visit the Marketplace to consign your items for a small fee and then enjoy your day while the Marketplace staff sells your items. At the end of the day, come back by the Marketplace to collect the proceeds from the sale of your items. Or if a new horse is on your shopping list, browse the For Sale stalls in the barn or attend the Adoption Affaire to find your next horse. The Adoption Affaire features an array of adoptable horses of various breeds, ages and skill levels, and you can apply to adopt on the spot. Become part of a special horse’s adoption story by providing a loving home to a horse in need.

In addition to the educational seminars, Equine Affaire in Ohio will host an array of special events throughout the four-day weekend:

• Operation Horses and Heroes has partnered with Equine Affaire to offer A Horse for Heroes, which provides veterans, active duty and first responders the chance to interact with horses in a safe, inviting atmosphere and experience the effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies. Activities will take place Friday in the Bricker Annex from 1:30-3:00pm and on Saturday in the Cooper Arena from 1:00-2:30pm. To sign up, visit the Operation Horses and Heroes booth in the Breed Pavilion.
• Ride a Horse for the first time … or the first time in a long time! Equine Affaire has partnered with the Ohio Haflinger Association to provide opportunities for new and aspiring horse lovers to have their first encounter with a horse. Representatives of area horse farms and trainers affiliated with the Ohio Haflinger Association will provide basic instruction and seasoned lesson horses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 2-4. Sign up in advance at the Ohio Haflinger Association booth in the Breed Pavilion.
• Mustang fans, don’t miss the Mustang TIP Challenge at Equine Affaire. During the Challenge, trainers will gentle untamed mustangs in the hopes of demonstrating each horse’s value and trainability in a competitive environment. The preliminary competition made up of 35 contestants will take place in the Cooper Arena on Friday, April 3rd, from 10 am-2 pm, with the finals taking place on Saturday from 3-5 pm.
• Equine Affaire has teamed up with the International Liberty Horse Association to feature a two-part liberty Invitational competition on Friday, April 3^rd and Saturday, April 4^th. Select trainers will highlight their talents with horses of a variety of breeds and backgrounds.
• For young riders (grades 4-12), the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Intensive Clinic offers a unique opportunity to see inside the mind of an IEA judge. The clinic will feature a judge’s perspective and offer tips for competing at IEA shows in both English and Western disciplines, as well as dressage. This clinic will take place on Sunday, April 5, from noon to 4 pm in the Cooper Arena.
• The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will take place on Friday, April 3, at 1 pm in the Coliseum. This timed obstacle race tests the partnership and communication between horse and rider. Competitors may be asked to ride their horses under a balloon arch, sidepass down a piece of lumber, carry a barrel, or gallop around the arena dragging a parachute. Come prepared to cheer on your favorite horses and riders as they compete for top honors and $5,500 in prize money in this exciting event.

Finally, no day is complete at Equine Affaire until you’ve experienced the magic of Fantasia. Sponsored by Absorbine^®, the Fantasia is Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. Every year, the Fantasia showcases an array of equestrian acts, from liberty and reining freestyles to drill team performances, comedy, driving, and much more. The Fantasia will take place Thursday through Saturday nights in the Coliseum. Ticket prices range from $14 to $25. Tickets go fast, so don’t wait. Purchase your digital tickets for Fantasia online at equineaffaire.com today.

Finally, make your hotel reservations for Equine Affaire early! Visit our list of host hotels, available online at equineaffaire.com, and mention Equine Affaire when you make your reservation to get a special discounted rate on your room. Round out your experience by joining the team! Volunteers for Equine Affaire receive free admission, so register with the Equine Affaire office by 3/1/20 to secure your spot. For more information about the event, host hotels or other details, call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 between 9 am and 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday. We’ll see you in Ohio!

LONDON, OH, January 8, 2020 – If you’ve ever wished you could ride your own horse in a clinic with your favorite trainer, that wish can come true at Equine Affaire in Ohio! On April 2-5, 2020, Equine Affaire returns to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, with a brand-new roster of the country’s top trainers and equestrian experts. Many of these presenters are now seeking horses and riders to participate in their clinics through Equine Affaire’s Ride with a Pro program. Apply to Ride with a Pro and you could find yourself sharing the arena with such trainers as Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard or Lynn Palm at the 2020 Equine Affaire in Ohio.

With more than 200 educational sessions in a variety of disciplines, there’s something for everyone to learn at Equine Affaire. Riders and horses of all skill levels are invited to apply to participate, and applying is easy. Visit equineaffaire.com (select the Ohio event, click “Participate” and then “Ride with a Pro”) or contact Coagi Long by emailing clong@equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085, ext. 114. Fees range from $75 to $350 depending on the clinic. The application deadline is February 14, 2020, so get a head start on your materials by applying today!

This year’s lineup of presenters includes such equestrian all-stars as Jonathan Field, Craig Cameron, Warwick Schiller, Tik Maynard, and Lynn Palm, presenting on general training and horsemanship. Other featured clinicians and topics include JR Robles (general training & colt starting), Lynn Palm (Western dressage), Jim Thomas (general training & horsemanship), Jonathon Millar (hunter/jumper), Steve Colclasure (cutting & reined cow horse), Jeremy Steinberg (dressage), Kevin Oliver (reining and trail), Kristen Weaver Brown (barrel racing), Liz Austin (dressage), Heidi Potter (centered riding), Rick Christy (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Suzy Stafford (driving), Simon Cocozza (core strengthening & yoga for horses), Sarah Track (saddleseat), Paul Garrison (mules), and Heidi McLaughlin (overcoming fear).

Equestrians of all disciplines are also invited to compete in the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, hosted by Equine Affaire on Friday, April 3 at 1:00 pm in the Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. Apply by February 14, 2020, for your chance to vie for $5,500 in prize money and the top honor of being crowned as the 2020 Versatile Horse and Rider Champion at Equine Affaire in Ohio. The Versatile Horse and Rider Competition consists of a timed obstacle race, specially designed to test the communication and partnership between horse and rider. Judges will also evaluate competitors based on general horsemanship criteria and overall performance. Up to 25 pre-selected horse and rider pairs will compete, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top four contestants, with ribbons presented through tenth place. The $350 entry fee includes three single-day admission tickets and stabling for one horse, Wednesday through Saturday of the event. To apply, visit equineaffaire.com online (select the Ohio event, click “Participate” and then “Versatile Horse and Rider Competition”).

To learn more about opportunities to saddle up for Equine Affaire in Ohio, visit our Ride With A Pro clinic program page, check out our Versatile Horse & Rider Competition page, or call the office at (740) 845-0085, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST (M-F). See you at Equine Affaire!

For horse lovers, nothing kicks off the holiday season like celebrating a successful Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. On November 7-10, 2019, the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield played host to the 22^nd annual Equine Affaire in Massachusetts.

As North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine Affaire is a bucket-list destination for thousands of horse lovers, equestrian experts and equine businesses from across the United States and beyond. From the buzz of the trade show floor to the hustle and bustle of clinics and the happy hum of the barns, the event offered something special for equine enthusiasts of all ages.

“Equine Affaire is very professional and organized, and their volunteers are exceptional,” said Chris Cox of Chris Cox Horsemanship, who presented multiple clinics and sessions on general horsemanship at this year’s event. “They create a little bit of something for everyone here. Coming to an event like this for the price, you can see a lot of great horsemen and horsewomen in different disciplines. You just can’t beat it.”

This year’s event hosted more than 150 sessions with the industry’s leading horsemen and horsewomen, including Chris Cox, Julie Goodnight, Dan James, Steve Lantvit and Jason Irwin. Equestrian experts from around the world presented on topics such as dressage, eventing, show jumping, barrel racing, driving, hunters, western dressage, hunter under saddle, gaited horses, saddle seat, sidesaddle, and more.

Many of the clinics featured riders and horses who had been selected for Equine Affaire’s Ride with a Pro program, which invites individuals to apply to ride with experts at clinics during the event. Equine Affaire attendee Jade Warren participated in one of Julie Goodnight’s clinics, and said she came away with helpful exercises that she plans to continue using at home with her horse.

“What I appreciated most about Julie’s teaching style was her gentleness,” Jade said. “It really helped me out a lot that she was so calm and willing and able to help with whatever I needed. If you’re on the fence about applying for a future Ride With A Pro opportunity, my advice is to do it! You only live once.”

Between clinics, attendees browsed acres of equine-themed shopping at the east coast’s largest horse-related trade show. From gleaming horse trailers to fun equine-themed board games, there were goods of almost every kind available for purchase, including tack, apparel, jewelry, horse feed samples and plenty more. Many clinicians and presenters also hosted their own booths in the trade show, where visitors could ask questions, buy products, request autographs and more.

“I’m here all day in my booth answering questions and looking at pictures of people’s horses and hearing their stories,” Julie Goodnight said. “At Equine Affaire, you get to interact face-to-face with people you might never otherwise have a chance to see. The same is true of the vendors. We have a lot of pharmaceuticals, a lot of veterinary products and nutritional products. You can get very educated in these trade shows. If I have a question about building a stall or figuring out what I want in a horse trailer, I can come to a trade show like this and compare all the different kinds of horse trailers. There’s a lot of value to events like Equine Affaire.”

In addition to the clinics and the trade show, special events took place each day during Equine Affaire. Whispery Pines Percherons offered a brand-new activity called Drive A Draft, where visitors learned firsthand how to drive a massive Percheron horse. Attendees also had the chance to ride one of the nation’s most versatile horse breeds at the Ride A Morgan event. Another new event this year was created especially for veterans and first responders. Equine Affaire partnered with BINA Farm to offer A Horse for Heroes, which gave veterans and other heroes the opportunity to interact with a horse for the first time and experience the magical bond between horse and human.

The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition took place on Friday in the Coliseum, featuring 25 horse-and-rider pairs who vied with each other for the top prize of $2,500 and the honor of being named the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Champion. Judged by Chris Cox and announced by Steve Lantvit, the competition featured a daunting obstacle course specially designed to test the communication between horse and rider. Riders asked their horses to leap a series of small jumps, carry a barrel from one end of the arena to another, drag a parachute, execute a tight turn atop a small platform, and many other challenging maneuvers.

Danelle Osinchuk of Springfield, Vermont, and her horse, a 19-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding named Slip Me A Dual Pep, took home top honors with a score of 58 points and a time of 5 minutes and 9 seconds.

“The VHRC is a competition that encompasses asking you to know a little bit from all of the different disciplines,” Danelle reflected. “You might have to jump, you might have to spin, who knows. I like trying to prepare my horse for something where you don’t necessarily really know what to expect.”

Danelle and “Magic” have competed multiple times in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, but this year marks their first win.

“I really, really love this event and I look forward to it,” Danelle said. “I would encourage anyone to try it out. I don’t make a living training horses, I don’t keep my horse with a trainer, and I have three young kids. If I can work my way to the top, I am sure many others can, too. I’ve enjoyed the journey and the camaraderie that has come with it.”

Finally, no day at Equine Affaire is quite complete unless you’ve experienced the beauty and wonder of the Fantasia. Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse featured a variety of horse-themed acts, each one filled with the special kind of magic that only horses can bring. Ambra Andrine rallied her Arabian horses to create a fabulous equestrian ballet, complete with aerial acrobatics and dance. World-renowned horseman Dan James performed his award-winning freestyle routine atop the stallion, Don Magnum. Lisa Dufresne performed in two acts: first, she appeared in a series of stunning costumes with her beautiful Friesian, Flip; and second, she performed with a lovable team of six miniature stallions, each costumed like a lion cub. Hope Cooper executed a stunning dressage freestyle with her horse, Hot Chocolate W, and Tribe Ermes had the audience perched on the edge of their seats with their fabulous vaulting routine. The dueling draft horse hitches of Morrisville College and Whispery Pines Percherons, a Wild West show with Austin Anderson, Chelsea Fisher and Trevor Draher, and the Crimson Acres Glory Riders Drill Team rounded out an already fabulous evening. For the big finale, a team of Icelandic horses and riders literally set the arena on fire in a stunning display of horsemanship, speed and song during their Tribute to Throstur.

Equine Affaire is grateful for the generous support of its sponsors, including Absorbine, sponsor of Fantasia; US Equestrian, sponsor of the Coliseum Arena; Cosequin, sponsor of the Equine Fundamentals Forum; Farnam, sponsor of the Courtesy Shopping Bag; Horizon Structures, the official barn of Equine Affaire; Horze Equestrian, the official apparel of Equine Affaire; GGT, sponsor of the Mallary & Young Arenas; Wahl, official clipper of Equine Affaire; and Nutrena, sponsor of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.

For more information about Equine Affaire, visit equineaffaire.com or call the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085, any time between 9am and 5pm EST, Monday through Friday. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again next year!

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Congratulations to the 2019 MA Versatile Horse & Rider Competition Champion, Danelle Osinchuk riding Slip Me A Dual Pep! Reserve Champion went to Melissa Ellis and Steep Way Cosmo Girl. Third place was Jason Charles and Ms. Whiz It, with fourth place to Brenda Hanson and Ace. Rounding out the top five was Jackie Rappel and Becketts Hickory Doc. See below for full results. Congratulations to all of our competitors, and a big thank you to our sponsor – Nutrena!
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Our final installment of rider profiles for the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, sponsored by Nutrena, is below. Who will you be rooting for?

Stephanie Speers

Horse: Leap of Faith (aka “Faith”), 22-year-old Haflinger mare

When Stephanie acquired Faith 9 years ago she was barely saddle broke. Since then, they have had many adventures – training cross country, competing in Road Hack in the Hunter ring, beach and trail riding, and even visiting local nursing homes, birthday parties, and fairs. Stephanie has been riding and training horses for over 25 years and looks forward to testing her and Faith’s skills at this year’s VHRC.

Carly Wade

Horse: Docs Hot to Handle (aka “Lizz”, 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare

Carly is a recent graduate with a degree in Ag Production Systems with a specialty in Equine Management from Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, where she and her horse Lizz competed on the NCTA Ranch Team and earned the 2017 CSU Silver Jubilee All Around Champion Collegiate Novice buckle. She also completed a 12-week farrier program in Oklahoma, worked for a cow-horse trainer in Wyoming, and currently works trimming, training, and transporting horses. They are truly a “been-there-done-that” pair, and we look forward to their debut in the VHRC!

Loretta Rose Weber (2 horses)

Horses: Colonel Smoken Badger (aka “Smoke”), 9-year-old APHA Paint/PtHA Pinto stallion & Shining Gold Badger (aka “Badger”), 9-year-old APHA Paint/Pinto gelding

Loretta will be hard to miss on her flashy Paint/Pinto horses at this year’s competition. They are no strangers to the VHRC with both horses having competed in previous years and Smoke with multiple top 3 finishes. Loretta and her horses are truly all-around competitors and compete in western and English disciplines, including halter, horsemanship, ranch and trail classes, hunter hack, gymkhana, and western dressage.

 

 

Carolyn Weeks

Horse: Mr. Spoc, 7-year-old Mustang gelding

Carolyn and Mr. Spoc have been working together and showing at local shows and versatility challenges for the last 5 years. At their VHRC debut last year, they were just 2 points outside of the top 10. They have been working very hard this summer to improve their skills are aiming to break into the top 5 at this year’s competition.

Rob West

Horse: Lori Darlin, 4-year-old Mustang mare

Just 6 short months ago, Lori Darlin was a wild mustang. Rob has been training her and working to overcome fears and tackle obstacles, and the two have grown to be trusting partners. She can now be ridden in shows and alongside traffic, and has even been brought into Rob’s home and climbed a flight of stairs upon request. Rob claims there isn’t much Lori Darlin won’t do if asked, and we can’t wait to see how they perform together in this year’s VHRC!