Equine Affaire returns to ESE Nov. 8

Date: 10/30/2012

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Equine Affaire, the premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering in North America, will return to the Eastern States Exposition Nov. 8 to 11.

Tens of thousands of horses, horsepeople, horse breed and sport associations, and horse-related businesses from throughout the United States and beyond will convene at the 15th annual Equine Affaire in the Northeast to share their expertise, their experiences, and their individual equine-related passions and market their products and services.

For horsepeople in the region, Equine Affaire is their year-end "celebration of the horse" — a great opportunity to get together with horse-loving family and friends and take advantage of the event's incredible educational program and shopping opportunities.

Equine Affaire is an education-oriented horsemen's exposition that has been produced annually at various locations in the United States since 1994. The event has something to offer to horse enthusiasts of all ages, all breed persuasions, all levels of expertise, and all equine disciplines. Equine Affaire's legendary educational program will include more than 230 different clinics, seminars, and demonstrations during the four days of the event.

The show's extensive trade show will be the largest horse-related trade show in the East; more than 450 commercial exhibitors will fill four huge trade show halls and cover acres of indoor and outdoor exhibit space.

This year's Equine Affaire will feature hundreds of horses and virtually all things horse-related with nonstop activities and a wide range of exhibits in six different venues at the Eastern States Exposition, including:

• More than 60 training clinics by nationally and internationally recognized horse trainers, judges, and competitors representing a wide range of equine sports. Sessions will cover English disciplines including dressage, jumping, eventing, driving, and English pleasure; and western disciplines such as barrel racing, reining, cutting, and western pleasure; as well as clinics on general training, trail riding, easy-gaited horses, and liberty and trick horse training.

• More than 160 seminars, presentations, and demonstrations by leading experts on a wide variety of topics relevant to horse enthusiasts from new horse owners to seasoned professionals.

• The Youth Pavilion and Celebrity Horse Showcase in the Mallary South will be a fun and educational area devoted specifically to young horse enthusiasts. Young equestrians will be able to connect with horse-related and youth-related associations and organizations exhibiting in the Pavilion as well attend educational demonstrations presented by top trainers.

• A world of horse breeds will be showcased in Equine Affaire's extensive Breed Pavilion in the Stroh Building and in the Horse & Farm Exhibits area in C Barn. Equine ambassadors representing nearly 40 horse breeds, varieties, and organizations will be presented in breed exhibits and demonstrations throughout the four days of Equine Affaire.

• The trade show will include more than 450 of the nation's leading equine retailers and manufacturers represented within exhibits ranging from 10' x 10' booths to large retail "stores" and trailer displays. Products recently introduced to the horse industry will be on display at the New Product Showcase in the Mallary South.

• The Fantasia, Equine Affaire's signature musical celebration of the horse, will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in the coliseum and will be sponsored this year by B & D Builders.

This very popular event will showcase the beauty and diversity of horses of many breeds as well as the excitement of equestrian sports from jousting, vaulting, and dressage to driving, mounted shooting, and Roman riding all choreographed to a wide variety of musical styles. Performers at this year's show will include traditional riders as well as aerialists and liberty and trick horse trainers from as far away as Australia.

Tickets to the Fantasia range in price from $12 to $24 (plus handling fees) and may be purchased in advance through Nov. 1 by calling 740-845-0085 or online at www.equineaffaire.com.

Tickets not sold in advance will be available at the Information Booth in the Better Living Center at Equine Affaire on Nov. 8 beginning at 9 a.m. and at the coliseum ticket office each event evening beginning at 6:45 p.m. Anyone who appreciates the magic of horses will not want to miss this evening of extraordinary entertainment.