Equine Affaire celebrates majesty of horsemanship

Date: 10/13/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The Equine Affaire's annual "celebration of the horse" will stampede through Eastern States Exposition next month.

Horse enthusiasts to casual lovers of riding will take over Eastern States with over 60 training clinics with 22 clinicians from around the country, more than 160 seminars, presentations and demonstrations featuring over 40 horse breeds.

"If you have not been to one of the Equine Affaires, you are missing out on some of the best organized and highly attended horse expos in the country," Debi Metcalfe, presenter, Stolen Horse International, said. "The list of presenters and vendors is off the charts. When I tell someone that I am presenting at one of the Equine Affaires, I do so with pride."

In addition to a full roster of clinics for the novice rider to experts in the field, the Equine Affaire will feature the Arabian Horse Association Youth Pavilion and Stone Horses Celebrity Showcase; the Pfizer Fantasia, a musical celebration of the horse; the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition and the World Championship Blacksmiths Regional Competition IV.

"I have never been to or seen such a wonderful get together of equine enthusiasts," Pamela Lee, a previous attendee, said. "I've been raving about it ever since I came home and have told all my clients and friends with any interest in horses that it is a 'must' to take in. The Pfizer Fantasia left me awestruck! Thanks for a most wonderful experience."

Sterling Graburn, co-operator of Kingsforth Hall Training Center in Bonifal, Fla., and a clinician at this year's Equine Affaire, explained that he will teach the many facets of driving and driving performance. His clinics will take place in the Young Arena on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and on Nov. 15 in the Mallary Complex at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Graburn said he will teach techniques of driving as well as dispel certain negative stereotypes such as the purpose of the whip.

"In driving you'll see people carrying whips and that has a negative connotation," he explained. "[Drivers don't] have physical contact with the horse ... we only have reigns from hand to mouth ... the whip replaces the legs of the rider."

Tommy Garland, owner of Garlands Ltd., and Tommy Garland Horsemanship in Powhatan, Va., and a clinician at the Equine Affaire, said there will be something for everyone at his clinics.

Garland will teach "Overcoming Obstacles from the Ground and in the Saddle" on Nov. 13 in the Coliseum Arena at 11 a.m. and "Hunter Pleasure for Arabians" at 3 p.m. in the Mallary Complex; "If You've Been Whispering But Your Horse Isn't Listening, Maybe This Can Help! Learning to Read Your Horse" on Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Coliseum Arena; and "Easier Ways to Achieve Lateral Flexion" on Nov. 15 at 3:15 p.m. in the Coliseum Arena.

Garland noted that the latter will include his three-step process for success.

The 2009 Equine Affaire will take place from Nov. 12 through 15 at Eastern States Exposition, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $14 daily for adults and $8 for children age six to 12; or $48 for a four-day pass for adults and $28 for a four-day pass for kids.

Additional information about the Equine Affaire, can be located at www.equineaffaire.com.