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

W. Springfield, MA, September 25, 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.
 
 
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