London, OH – If you love horses, you owe it to yourself to put Equine Affaire on your calendar for November 10–13 at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA.
Imagine what you could do with four days to devote to your passion for horses . . . Immerse yourself in educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Explore breeds and riding disciplines you’ve only read about or seen online. Visit hundreds of vendors at an equine marketplace filled with equestrian treasures. Enjoy exciting entertainment like the Pfizer Fantasia and the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition. Meet and mingle with equestrian stars from throughout the worlds of equine competition and media—and enjoy a special getaway with family and fellow horse-loving friends.
You can do all that and more at the 2011 Equine Affaire this November—and you won’t have to break the bank to afford it.
Immerse Yourself in Education
More than 220 clinic sessions with the nation’s premiere coaches, competitors, trainers, TV personalities, authors, judges, and other industry experts will make Equine Affaire a horse lover’s educational dream. Whether you’ve spoken “horse” since childhood or discovered your passion for horses later in life, you’ll find sessions to help you and your horse along the road to better horsemanship and performance and a winning relationship.
“There’s something to satisfy almost every equestrian taste in the lineup of presenters who will share their knowledge and talents at this year’s event with a wealth of ‘general’ trainers as well as individuals who are excelling at the very tops of their disciplines,” said Eugenia Snyder, President of Equine Affaire, “The group of professionals we’re working with this year is one of the strongest rosters of clinicians and presenters we’ve featured in New England in the past 14 years.” Those presenting clinics at this year’s event will include:
Craig Cameron has been called the “public defender of the horse.” A life-long rancher, former bull rider, working cowboy and horse trainer, Mr. Cameron is a busy and highly-regarded clinician who has been awarded the prestigious Working Cowboy of the Year award by the American Cowboy Culture Awards Committee.
John Lyons, known as “America’s Most Trusted Horseman,” has dedicated nearly three decades to developing concepts in horse training that have influenced riders worldwide. His certified trainer program has graduated nearly 300 trainers who in turn have reached many more riders, trainers, and owners with the John Lyons philosophy and regard for the horse.
Guy McLean is a widely-recognized Australian horse trainer and teacher who is also renowned for his extraordinary horsemanship and entertaining performances. He is a champion colt starter, a two-time Australian Bush Poetry Champion, and was recognized as the “Ambassador of the Outback” in 2002 and 2006.
Scott Purdum created his Advantage Horsemanship™ educational training program with a goal to assist others in expanding their horsemanship knowledge and bringing horses and people together through mutual trust and respect. He has authored several articles featuring problem-solving training exercises and also produced the popular training DVD, “Where Do We Start?”
Jonathan Field operates two horsemanship teaching centers just north of Vancouver, British Columbia, and has documented his horsemanship teachings in a series of DVDs. He is equally at home riding jumpers over fences and pushing cows on his ranch in British Columbia.
Aaron Ralston was raised on the family cattle ranch in western Colorado where he currently operates his horse training facility. Mr. Ralston and Smart Paul Olena made headlines when they posted the highest score for Team USA at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Germany, helping bring home the Gold Medal and winning the Individual Bronze Medal.
Anne Kursinski is a five-time Olympian, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, author, clinician and international competitor. One of the United States’ most accomplished and respected show jumping athletes, Ms. Kursinski has been representing the United States for more than 30 years on a notable list of star showjumpers including Livius, Starman, Cannonball, Top Seed, Ferina, Indeed, and Eros.
Tina Konyot is currently the number two ranked dressage rider in the United States. With Calecto V, her big black Danish Warmblood stallion, Ms. Konyot swept four Grand Prix classes at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions, winning the Selection Trial to represent the United States at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Jim Wofford is a three-time Olympian who has spent his life with horses and is one of the best-known eventing trainers in the world today. He has had at least one student on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship, and Pan-American team since 1978. All four members of the U.S. Bronze medal team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as the Individual Gold medal winner were graduates of Mr.Wofford’s program.
Todd Flettrich is a veteran competitor and trainer at the FEI levels of dressage. A four-time participant in the North American Young Riders Championships (NAYRC), Mr. Flettrich won the Individual Gold Medal and helped his Region 1 squad win the Team Silver Medal at the 1991 NAYRC. On a recent trip abroad, Todd Flettrich represented the United States at the prestigious 2011 CHIO Aachen dressage competition in Germany aboard Otto.
Chad Crider has been a barrel racing and pole bending clinician for more than 15 years. He was the AQHYA Reserve World Champion Pole Bender in both 1994 and 1995 and won both the Barrel and Pole AQHA World Championships in 1998. In addition to his World Championship titles, Mr. Crider is also a five-time AQHA Congress winner and five-time AQHA High-Point winner.
Andy Marcoux has been professionally training and driving carriage horses of all breeds and descriptions for more than 15 years. Mr. Marcoux is a recognized judge of combined driving and also holds the highest level of certification by The British Driving Society.
Craig Johnson has competed in the reining world for more than two decades and amassed lifetime earnings well over $1,000,000. He has had multiple NRCHA Futurity finalist finishes and won an APHA Working Cow Horse World Championship. Mr. Johnson brings his passion for teaching the principles of reining to students at his Texas ranch and will inspire reining enthusiasts at Equine Affaire.
Dianne Eppers is a well-respected equestrian, trainer, and clinician with more than a dozen American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) world and reserve world titles. Ms. Eppers serves as the Director of the National Snaffle Bit Association as well as on the AQHA Judges Committee.
Elizabeth Graves has spent more than 30 years training, showing and judging gaited horses, as well as writing articles, creating videos, and giving clinics to extend her knowledge to other gaited horse fans. Ms. Graves conducts gaited and all-breed clinics, workshops, and seminars at her farm in Spring Valley, MN, and venues both nationwide and abroad.
Chris Cassenti is manager and lead trainer at Chrislar Farm in Rowley, MA, which she and her husband Larry founded in 1978. Although Ms. Cassenti is best known for her winning Morgan horses and equitation riders, she enjoys working with all breeds and riding disciplines. Chris holds NEHC “J” English & Western Division and USEF “R” Morgans and Saddleseat Equitation judges cards.
Sylvia Zerbini draws rave reviews for her exceptional liberty horse performances in the equestrian spectacle Cavalia, but she is no stranger to the stage. Her nine-generation European circus family provided a unique learning environment that Ms. Zerbini has taken to new heights with liberty training, in which she uses body language, verbal cues, and fine-tuned timing to communicate with her horses.
Mike Carpenter began his interest in draft horses with those used on his family’s potato farm and then his father’s farrier work for the Genessee Brewing Company. His family business, Carriages of Acadia, operates the horse stabling and carriage tours in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Mr. Carpenter is also a practicing lawyer and a former Maine Attorney General.
Cathy Drumm has more than 30 years of experience as an equestrian instructor and trainer. In her native England she received classical equestrian schooling and worked her way through the British Pony Club ratings, eventing, hunting and showing. After moving to the United States, she became a United States Hunter Jumper Association Certified Trainer and Massachusetts Licensed Instructor.
The NEA Sidesaddle Association is the oldest sidesaddle group in the United States, authored the original guidelines for sidesaddle instruction, showing, equipment and safety, and represents sidesaddle with the USEF. Their members can be found in parades, reenactments, foxhunting, on the trail, and in the dressage and show rings.
Bring Your Horse With You to Equine Affaire and Ride With the Best
Equine Affaire’s Ride With The Best program offers unique opportunities to ride with and receive individual instruction and training from most of the clinicians presenting sessions at the 2011 Equine Affaire. Some clinicians will be looking for riders and horses with specific skills and problems, while others will choose from riders interested in improving their relationships with their horses. Clinic fees range from $65 to $175 and include clinic participation, event admission, and 24 hours of stabling. Clinicians will select participants for their sessions from written applications and videos submitted to Equine Affaire.
For participant application information, go to www.equineaffaire.com or contact Allison McClure at [email protected] or (740) 845-0085, ext. 109. Act quickly—the application deadline is September 7th.
Equine Affaire’s Legendary Trade Show Just Got Bigger!
If it’s something horse-related that you want, you’ll find it at Equine Affaire. And even if you don’t know it exists, you may want it when you discover it at Equine Affaire’s Trade Show, the largest horse-related shopping opportunity in the eastern United States. You’ll discover hundreds of the nation's leading equine-related retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and organizations in five exhibit halls and outdoor areas offering literally acres of superb shopping.
“We’re excited to announce that we’ve redesigned the trade show floor in the Mallary Complex to accommodate the on-going demand for exhibit space at the event as well as to expand the offerings to event attendees,” reported Eugenia Snyder. “We’ve reduced the size and number of bulk spaces in order to add more than 120 new exhibit booths in the north and south halves of the building and create a floorplan that will mimic that of the Better Living Center. Attendees will see a lot of new exhibitors at this year’s event as well as an impressive New Product Showcase in the Mallary Complex.”
Looking for tack or grooming supplies? Check. How about riding apparel and gifts? Check again. Is it time for a new tractor or trailer? You can see them in person instead of online. Do you need new fencing? Check out all the options in one location. Maybe you’re planning a new barn, or renovating an older stable? There are vendors for that, with informed representatives to answer your questions and offer advice. Be sure to research riding vacations and equestrian college and university programs and find jewelry and books, art, photography, and all of your equine and equestrian must-haves.
Explore Horse Breeds and Riding Disciplines
Visit Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion in the Stroh Building and the nearby Horse & Farm Exhibits located in C-Barn where horse owners and breeders and representatives of various national, regional, and local breed associations will provide helpful information and answer questions.
More than 40 equine breeds from miniatures to drafts and stock horses to sport horses will be on exhibit and presented in hand at Equine Affaire. Under saddle demonstrations of the breeds will also be conducted throughout the weekend in the main clinic arenas, offering attendees a chance to evaluate the conformation, movement, and temperament of different breeds as well as the many different riding disciplines at which they excel.
At the Horse & Farm Exhibits in C-Barn, you’ll find displays by individual horse farms, stables, and training and breeding facilities from throughout New England, providing visitors opportunities to network with horse owners, trainers, and facility managers about horses for sale, stallions at stud, training services, and boarding facilities.
A Special Place for Young Riders at Equine Affaire’s Youth Pavilion
Equine Affaire recognizes that the future of the horse industry rests with today’s young riders and presents a Youth Pavilion to encourage their involvement with horses, to teach basic skills, and to open their eyes to opportunities for young horse enthusiasts. The Stone Horses® Youth Pavilion will showcase equestrian youth organizations, feature a full schedule of educational and breed demonstrations geared to young equestrians, and offer fun and informative activities including stick horse making and stick horse rodeos (sponsored by Wahl Clipper Corporation), temporary tattoos, the Equine Affaire Book of Breeds coloring book (sponsored by Wild Horsefeathers), and model horse painting (sponsored by Stone Horses®).
In Equine Affaire’s new Trivia Quest kids will be able to put their camera phones or digital cameras to use as they explore all aspects of Equine Affaire. Equine Affaire’s popular Celebrity Horse Showcase will bring young fans face-to-face with famous horses.
Experience the Pfizer Fantasia
Equine Affaire's signature musical extravaganza, the Pfizer Fantasia will showcase the beauty, grace, and diversity of dozens of horse breeds, the athleticism and skill of many equestrian disciplines, and the extraordinary talent of the foremost professional equestrian performers in North America – all honoring the special connection we share with horses. Performances will be choreographed to musical styles ranging from traditional and country to classical and contemporary, and the show will be an evening of great entertainment for horse lovers of all ages.
“This year’s show will incorporate the usual elements that Fantasia-goers have come to expect including dressage, reining, driving, Roman riding, trick riding, and vaulting as well as drill team performances and horses and liberty,” explained Eugenia Snyder. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring back the incomparable Sylvia Zerbini with her team of eight liberty horses and also to feature for the first time, Jennifer Baumert performing a grand prix musical dressage freestyle aboard Don Principe. Aaron Ralston tore up the crowd with his performance at the 2010 show, so we’re drawing on his talent again this year and pairing him with Craig Johnson for a special reining pas de deux. There will be plenty of action and drama at the 2011 Pfizer Fantasia---and plenty of reminders as to why we find horses so intoxicating.”
The Pfizer Fantasia takes place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, November 10-12, in the coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.; each show will begin at 8:00 p.m. and last approximately two hours. A separate ticket is required for the Pfizer Fantasia, and ticket prices range from $12 to $24 (plus a $2.75 shipping/handling/selection fee per ticket). Advance tickets for the Pfizer Fantasia are available online (where you may consult a seating chart and select your seats) or by calling Equine Affaire at (740) 845-0085 weekdays from 9:00am-5:00 pm Eastern. Tickets for this popular event sell quickly, and advance ticket sales end October 21st. Any tickets not sold in advance will be available for purchase at the Information Booth in the Better Living Center beginning at 9:00am on Thursday, November 10th at Equine Affaire.
Put Your Skills to the Test in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition
You’re likely to be sitting on the edge of your seat as you watch 30 horse and rider teams contend for $5,500 in cash prizes and the bragging rights to be named “champion” of the 2011 Versatile Horse & Rider Competition at this year’s Equine Affaire. This timed and judged race through a challenging obstacle course will test communication between horse and rider and the horsemanship skills of contestants while creating a lot of action and suspense for those attending this popular competition.
The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition Open is open to adult riders of all disciplines and horses of all breeds and will be judged by horseman extraordinaire, John Lyons. Obstacle-by-obstacle commentary will be provided by trail and ranch horse expert and personality, Aaron Ralston. Qualifying rounds will be held on Thursday and Friday afternoons in the coliseum, and the Finals will begin at 9:30 on Sunday morning.
For details on the competition and how to apply to participate, consult www.equineaffaire.com or contact Allison McClure at (740) 845-0085 ext. 109 or at [email protected]. Application deadline is September 7th.
Equine Affaire 2011: A Great Value for Horse Lovers!
Equine Affaire will be up and running from 9:00am-7:30pm on Thursday-Saturday, November 10-12, and from 9:00am-5:00pm on Sunday, November 13th. You can enjoy all that Equine Affaire has to offer—the clinics and seminars, the shopping, the specialty pavilions, and the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition for the price of a single-day or multi-day general admission ticket. Adult admission is only $15/day (and includes a free event program) and youth (age 7-10) tickets are only $8. A four-day adult pass is just $50 (a savings of $10 from the daily rate), and a four-day ticket for youth is only $28. Kids 6 and under attend for free.
Advance tickets to Equine Affaire are available for purchase through October 21st online at www.equineaffaire.com or by phone at (740) 845-0085 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. You may also download a mail-in ticket order form from the site to send with a check. Tickets will go on sale at 8:30am at event entrances each show day; cash only at the gates.
Round up your horse-loving friends and barn mates and make a getaway of it. Equine Affaire makes your trip even more affordable with special room blocks and discount rates at dozens of area host hotels. But make your hotel reservations soon—room blocks and special rates at our host hotels will expire in early October. Camping with hookups is available right at the Eastern States Exposition on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 9th.
Everything You Need to Know to Go
Equine Affaire’s informative Web site—www.equineaffaire.com—contains everything you need to know to make your visit a fun and successful one: admission details, directions, hotel information, a complete roster of presenters, daily schedules, maps, Ride With The Best and Versatile Horse & Rider Competition materials, facility information, and tips for making the most of your Equine Affaire experience. Any if you’re not Web-savvy, not to worry: call Equine Affaire at (740) 845-0085 and speak to a member of our friendly, horse-loving staff, Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern.
Generous Sponsors Make Equine Affaire Both Possible and Affordable
Equine Affaire’s exceptional program of educational activities and entertainment and the event’s modest admission fees are made possible through generous sponsorships by dozens of equine-related companies and organizations. We all extend our gratitude to Pfizer Animal Health, Ariat, Farnam, GLC 5500, Light ‘N Lasting Vinyl Jump Equipment, Priefert Ranch Equipment, Royal Mat, Horizon Structures, the United States Equestrian Federation, and the dozens of other companies who have endorsed the educational mission of Equine Affaire through their sponsorships. Our helmets, hats, and derbies are off to you!