Improve Your Riding With Host of Clinics at Equine Affaire this April

London, OH (January 30, 2015) – A large dose of phenomenal horses, a roster of accomplished horse people, plenty of great horse products for sale, and a dash of both equestrian competition and entertainment are the proven ingredients for Equine Affaire—North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The 51st Equine Affaire will launch April 9-12, 2015 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus and provide horse enthusiasts the opportunity to gather with horse-loving family and friends and indulge their passion for horses.  Since 1994 Equine Affaire in Columbus has been the nation’s foremost venue for horse-related education, shopping, networking, entertainment, hanging out with fellow horse people, and blissful immersion in all things equine.

The 2015 Equine Affaire will offer a wealth of opportunities for equestrians including the largest horse-related trade show in North America, an educational program that will have something for riders of all levels and tastes, Equine Affaire’s exciting Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and the expo’s signature evening performance, the Fantasia. With a schedule of more than 200 educational sessions in seven venues, acres of trade show exhibits to browse, breed and youth pavilions, Horse & Farm Exhibits, the Marketplace consignment store, and special events scheduled throughout the day and evening, horse lovers old and young will have plenty of activities to choose from and tough decisions to make about how to spend their time each day of the show.

Education forms the cornerstone of every Equine Affaire, and a top-notch list of clinicians has been assembled to present clinics on a broad range of equestrian sports and activities at this year’s event.  Among those who are scheduled to present sessions on general horse training and riding topics are Chris Cox, John Lyons, Guy McLean, Dan James,  and Julie Goodnight. Clinicians who will be addressing western disciplines in their clinics will include Scott McFarland on reining, Doug Leasor on barrel racing and pole bending, Barbra Schulte on cutting, Tom Chown on western pleasure/horsemanship/showmanship, and Kevin Oliver on ranch horse versatility. Those Affaire goers who prefer the English disciplines will not want to miss clinics presented by George Williams and Jane Savoie on dressage, Nona Garson and Diane Carney on hunters and jumpers,  Bob Giles on driving, Drew Emnett on hunter under saddle, and Gayle Lampe on English Pleasure and saddleseat. Gary Lane will also present sessions on the training of easy gaited horses.

The hundreds of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations included in Equine Affaire’s extensive program will be conducted in four arenas, the Cosequin® and Youth Pavilion demo rings, and the seminar stage and offer a wealth of information on horse management as well as a diverse variety of training methods and philosophies.

“Foundation First” Clinic Series with Guy McLean and Dan James
Regardless of their disciplines and individual training styles, nearly all horse trainers agree that effective foundation training is essential to the training of all horses.  In recognition of the importance of the initial training experience, Equine Affaire will feature a Foundation First clinic series on Thursday through Sunday.  During these clinics, Guy McLean and Dan James will each train one unbroke horse to be ridden while Equine Affaire attendees observe the training process.

The Foundation First clinics will not be a race or competition. The focus will be on creating the proper foundation in training a horse to be ridden and on progressing at the rate that is appropriate for the individual horse.  In addition to being terrific clinics to attend, the Foundation First clinics also offer unique opportunities for owners of halter-broke horses to have their horses trained by these exceptional trainers. Check out Equine Affaire’s Ride With the Best Program at equineaffaire.com for details on how to apply to have your horse trained.

The Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion
The Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion in the Expo Center’s covered paddock will feature sessions on a broad range of equestrian sports as well as spotlights of breeds that make up the “equestrian experience.” Disciplines as diverse as sidesaddle, vaulting, polo, roping, eventing, gymkhana, and western dressage will be showcased through sessions presented by associations and clinicians representing these sports.  These clinics will be introductory in nature and designed to complement the more in-depth training clinics conducted in the other arenas at Equine Affaire.  Horse breeds will be presented in groups by “types” including gaited horses, easy gaited horses, sport horses, stock horses, drafts, ponies, etc.

Catch all of the Action of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition!
Equine Affaire’s hugely popular Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will be a highlight of the 2015 event. The competition is a timed and judged race through an obstacle course that is designed to test communication between horse and rider and the horsemanship skills and athletic abilities of each horse and rider team. Thirty pre-selected participants will compete for the title of “Versatile Horse & Rider Competition Champion” and $5,500 in cash and other prizes.

“The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is a true test of horsemanship for those who are willing to put their riding skills on the line—and a whole lot of fun for horse people in the audience,” explained Coagi Long, Equine Affaire’s VP and Program Director. “Riders in the audience mentally work through the course with each team and can’t help but wonder how their own horses would respond to the obstacles and how they would approach them.  They also empathize with the contestants as their horses succeed at some obstacles and fall short at others. And, apart from the obvious entertainment aspect of the VHRC, there is a strong educational element because you learn a lot by observing the different approaches of contestants riding a variety of breeds of horses through the same obstacles.”

The qualifying rounds for the VHRC will be conducted on Thursday morning in Cooper Arena and be judged by Drew Emnett.  The top 10 teams will advance to the finals which will take place Friday afternoon in the coliseum and be judged by John Lyons. If you’re ready to put your skills to the test, you’ll find details on the competition and how to apply at equineaffaire.com. Just click on the Ohio event and follow the “participate link” to the competition. The application deadline is February 16th, and applications will be accepted only until 30 contestants are selected and confirmed. If you’re watching rather than riding, be sure to get there early to get a seat for this popular event.

The 2015 Fantasia – Sponsored by Absorbine®
Dazzling horses, phenomenal riders, memorable performances, and lots of great music are on the menu for the Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s flagship musical celebration of the horse.  The 2015 Fantasia will take place at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in the coliseum and is made possible through the generously sponsorship of  Absorbine®.  The Fantasia is the perfect way to end a perfect day at Equine Affaire. Gather with family and friends to sit back and enjoy the beauty and talent of horses of many breeds as well as the excitement of equestrian sports ranging from freestyle reining and cutting to dressage, driving, drill teams, vaulting, Roman Riding, and more!

“The Fantasia is always a special opportunity to witness some truly magical performances,” said Eugenia Snyder, Equine Affaire’s President and Founder.  “After a day-long schedule of clinics and presentations on topics of a more serious nature, the Fantasia gives horse people a change to connect with horses on a more emotional level. When you watch the performers at Equine Affaire you simply have to marvel at the range of skills that horses possess, their extraordinary trainability, and their willingness to perform and please in so many ways. The Fantasia is much more than equestrian entertainment—it’s a chance to connect with the heart and soul of the horse.”

A separate ticket is required, and tickets range in price from $12 to $25 plus seat selection fees. Advance tickets are available through March 31st and can be ordered online at equineaffaire.com or by calling Equine Affaire at (740) 845-0085. Any tickets not sold in advance will be available for purchase at the Information Booth in the Bricker Building beginning at 9:00am on Thursday at Equine Affaire.

Convenient, One-Stop Shopping for All Things Horse Related
Without doubt, Equine Affaire offers the best one-stop, horse-related shopping anywhere.  Take a break from viewing tiny pictures of items online and don your most comfortable walking shoes to explore literally acres of equine-related retailers and manufacturers.  Equine Affaire’s vast trade show will fill four exhibit halls and the areas in between and feature more than 450 vendors offering everything from tack and apparel to horse-care items and trailers. Whether you’re planning to build a barn, replace a fence, or install a riding arena or you’re shopping for new tack, apparel, artwork, gifts, horse insurance, or books and DVDs, you’ll find information, manufacturers, retailers, associations, equine service providers, and plenty of other horse-related sources at Equine Affaire.

Buy and Sell Quality Consigned Items at The Marketplace at Equine Affaire
Make plans now to both buy what you and your horse need and sell what you don’t at The Marketplace at Equine Affaire.  The Marketplace will be a consignment store within the trade show where you’ll have a great opportunity to market your unwanted equine and equestrian items for up to four days to the tens of thousands of avid horsemen who attend Equine Affaire . . . as well as browse through a vast array of consigned items and discover bargains on the things you need to get ready for the next riding season. Where else can you find more potential buyers for your unwanted tack and riding apparel while also enjoying the ultimate horse-related educational program and equestrian shopping experience than Equine Affaire!

“The Marketplace is now in its third year at Equine Affaire,” reported Eugenia Snyder. “It was a huge success last year. Nearly 200 saddles of a variety of types and prices were sold over the four days, and sales were brisk for everything from tack items and training equipment to riding attire. We’re anticipating a big increase in both consignors and consigned items this year—as horse people in the region now recognize The Marketplace as a great place to both buy and sell before the upcoming riding season.”

The Marketplace at Equine Affaire will be in the Bricker Annex, and merchandise will be presented for sale in a spacious retail setting.  Let the staff at The Marketplace display and sell your consigned items to customers who will be able to see your merchandise first hand and make their purchases on site. Equine Affaire’s staff will take care of selling your consignments while you enjoy Equine Affaire’s fantastic program of clinics, seminars, and demos—and then pay you in cash for sales made at the event! With cash in hand, you’ll have additional spending power to shop for used items at The Marketplace and new merchandise at Equine Affaire’s phenomenal trade show. Best of all, the consignment fees at The Marketplace will be lower than those at other consignment venues in the region!

For information on The Marketplace at Equine Affaire including consignment guidelines and forms and a list of items that will be accepted for consignment, visit equineaffaire.com, click on the Ohio event, and follow the “Participate” link to the Marketplace page. Or contact Kristen Gump at (740) 845-0085 ext. 104 or kgump@equineaffaire.com.

Horses Are Always the Focus of the “Affaire”
Whether your passion is for a large horse or a small one, a pleasure horse or a competitive mount, a gray, a pinto, or a bay, you’ll find it within Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits. The Breed Pavilion in the Voinovich Center and the Horse & Farms Exhibits in the Gilligan Complex will showcase dozens of breeds of horses from North and South America, Europe, and beyond. Knowledgeable horse breeders and association reps will be on hand to answer your questions about characteristics, uses, bloodlines, and horse selection and share with you information about their associations and club activities. Come to Equine Affaire to experience a full taste of the horse world and research horses for sale, stallions at stud, training and breeding facilities, and various equine-related services from throughout the Midwest.

Horse Crazy Kids Convene at the Youth Pavilion
Equine Affaire’s Youth Pavilion will host a variety of exhibits and activities geared to the interests of younger equestrians and horse fanciers. In addition to educational and youth association exhibits, the Youth Pavilion will feature a full schedule of presentations by many of Equine Affaire’s clinicians, demonstrations of horse breeds, daily stick horse rodeos, an equine trivia quest, a Learning Center, and other activities designed to engage kids with horses and horse knowledge. You can also get up close and personal with several equine stars at the Celebrity Horse Showcase in the Youth Pavilion and take your own “selfie with a star.”

You Just Might Win!
Equine Affaire’s 2015 raffle features a number of great prizes and is both free and easy to enter.  Visit equineaffaire.com to learn more about the prizes and enter online. And be sure to visit the Raffle Center at the event to see the prizes on display and complete your entry. Winners will be announced on Sunday afternoon, and you need not be present to win.

Ticket Prices and Volunteer Opportunities
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) admission is only $8/day. A four-day pass for adults is also available for just $50—a savings of $10 off of the daily rate.  If you want to earn free admission and an event souvenir, consider helping out at the event as a member of Equine Affaire’s wonderful volunteer crew.  Information on the volunteer program is available at equineaffaire.com; click on the Ohio event and follow the “Participate” link to the volunteer page.  Or contact our volunteer coordinator,  Cindy Southward, at (740) 845-0085 ext. 102  or csouthward@equineaffaire.com.

Round up your horse-loving family, friends, and barn mates and plan your April getaway. Equine Affaire makes your trip even more affordable with special room blocks and discount rates at dozens of area host hotels. You’re encouraged to make your hotel reservations soon as room blocks and special rates at our host hotels will expire in early March. Camping with hookups is available right at the Ohio Expo Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Consult equineaffaire.com for hotel details, updated information on room availability, and information on camping.

Generous Sponsors Make Equine Affaire Possible
Equine Affaire’s extensive program of educational opportunities and entertainment and the event’s modest admission fees are made possible through financial support provided by our many generous sponsors.  We all extend our sincere gratitude to Absorbine®, Farnam, Rod’s Western Palace, Cosequin®, Wahl Clipper Corporation, and the dozens of other companies that have endorsed the educational mission of Equine Affaire through their sponsorships.

Everything You Need to Know to Go
www.equineaffaire.com contains everything you need to know to make your visit easy and successful:  ticket details, directions, information on hotels with discounted rates, a complete roster of presenters, daily schedules, maps, Ride With The Best and Versatile Horse & Rider Competition materials, Marketplace consignment forms, facility information, and tips for making the most of your Equine Affaire experience. You can order advance tickets online or through the mail (through March 31st). If you’re not Web-inclined, Equine Affaire’s staff will gladly take your call and provide assistance at (740) 845-0085 Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern.

We look forward to seeing you and your family and horse-loving friends at the 2015 Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH, this April.