Experience the “Affaire” of a Lifetime: Fall in Love with Horses at Equine Affaire

Springfield, MA, September 24, 2018 – This fall, experience firsthand the beauty, majesty, and nobility of the horse at Equine Affaire. On November 8-11, horse enthusiasts from all walks of life will gather at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, to enjoy North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. With educational exhibits, horseback riding opportunities, instructional clinics, exciting competitions, the East coast’s largest horse-themed trade show, and more, Equine Affaire is your ultimate destination for a family-friendly weekend of spectacle and fun.

Equine Affaire provides the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself and your family in the wide world of horses and riders. Admission to Equine Affaire includes entry to the trade show, all themed pavilions, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and more than two hundred educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Equine Affaire’s affordable admission prices make it easy for everyone in the family to attend. Adult tickets are just $16/day or $50 for a four-day pass; tickets for children (7-10) are $8/day; and children six-and-under attend for free. Purchase your tickets in advance at equineaffaire.com or bring cash with you to purchase tickets on site at the gate.

Throughout the weekend, World Champions, Olympic riders, horse trainers, popular equestrian TV personalities, veterinarians, and professors will present educational sessions on a wide range of horse topics. You’ll love watching these top industry professionals work their magic in the ring, sharing their knowledge and abilities with audience members as well as horse-and-rider teams. If you’re eager to engage with horses on a more personal level, visit the Breed Pavilion to learn from friendly experts and meet equine ambassadors. Knowledgeable horsemen and horsewomen from more than two dozen breed associations will share trivia and facts, as well as answer your questions, while their horses stand for pats and pictures. If you’re interested in learning the basics of horse care and horseback riding, visit the Equine Fundamentals Forum for easy, interactive lessons geared for beginners. And if watching (and petting) the horses in the Breed Pavilion isn’t enough, stop by the Time to Ride booth in the Breed Pavilion to experience the joy of riding a horse for the first time.

Presented by the American Horse Council, the Time to Ride program provides first-time riders with the opportunity to ride a seasoned lesson horse under the tutelage of an experienced instructor. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate; ages 5 and over will be able to interact with the horses, while ages 6 and over will be able to ride. Whether you’ve never ridden, or you haven’t ridden in a long time, Equine Affaire is the perfect time to try horseback riding for yourself.

After the Breed Pavilion, visit the Equine Affaire trade show to search for the perfect souvenir to commemorate your adventures. With more than 450 vendors in five buildings, you’ll wander through aisles upon aisles of horse-themed products, including unique gifts, jewelry, décor, riding apparel and more. Visit Equine Affaire’s comprehensive list of vendors online at equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, click “Attend” and then “Exhibitors”).

If you love watching exciting horseback riding competitions, plan your visit to Equine Affaire around the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, sponsored by Nutrena. On Friday, November 9, up to 25 horse and rider teams will compete for the title of Equine Affaire Versatile Horse & Rider Champion, as well as $5500 in cash and other prizes. In the VHRC, horse and rider teams race through a timed obstacle course designed to test the horse’s athletic prowess, the rider’s horsemanship skills, and the communication between horse and rider. From leaping obstacles to speeding around barrels, this competition is an exciting and fast-paced test of the abilities of horse and rider.

Don’t forget to finish your day with Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s beloved musical celebration of the horse. Featuring a plethora of acts ranging from rodeo trick riders to Spanish riding demonstrations, Fantasia exhibits all the beauty, athleticism, and grace of the horse set to a wide array of musical stylings. Sponsored by Absorbine®, Fantasia occurs nightly from Thursday to Saturday. Doors open at 6:45pm and the event begins at 7:30pm. Purchase your tickets for Fantasia ($14-25) at equineaffaire.com (select the Massachusetts event, then click “Attend” and “Fantasia: The Show”).

Hours for Equine Affaire are 9:00am to 7:00pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 9:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. Please note that the Eastern States Exposition charges $5 (cash only) for parking. For more information about Equine Affaire, visit equineaffaire.com or call the office at (740) 845-0085, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST.