The traffic was thick and the buildings congested as the entire equestrian community turned out for this year’s Equine Affaire, held at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E fairgrounds). Riding clinics with famed trainers took place in the Coliseum and also in the Mallary Complex Clinic Arena; even more clinics were held in the Mallary Demo Arena and also in the Young Building Arena. Informational booths were set up throughout Mallary Complex, Young Building, the Better Living Center, and the Stroh Building. An overall gray and rainy weekend, attendees sported umbrellas and light jackets as they walked from building to building. Some were even forced to park out in a very muddy field; a tow-truck could be seen helping out some stranded Affaire-goers at the end of Saturday night.
The Clinicians
Equine Affaire drew some big names in horse training this year, such as John Lyons, Steffen Peters (who unfortunately could not attend, but was covered by Pam Goodrich who did an incredible job), Bruce Davidson, Peter Leone, Susan Harris, Richard Winters, Craig Johnson, Larry Whitesell, Mark Rashid, Tommy Garland, Kathy Connelly, Sharon Camarillo and Ken McNabb. Many more clinicians, presenters, and demonstrators were present. Some clinic topics included were:
- Dressage: Special Considerations for Developing a Musical Freestyle
- How to Produce an Event Horse: Training for the Upper Levels
- Unveiling the Secrets of How to Sit the Trot Correctly
- Centered Riding: Advanced Applications for Riding and Training
- Preparing for Today’s Competitive Courses: Building and Riding Fences and Courses that Pose Unique Questions
- Advanced Work under Saddle for the Gaited Horse: Exercises to Improve Gait and Create a Calmer, Safer Horse
- Performance Horsemanship for Better Barrel Racing: Producing a Balanced Approach, Rate and Turn Position
- Colt Starting: Working with a Young, Unbroke Horse through Its First Saddling, Mounting and Riding
- Training the Recreational Horse: Techniques to Improve Your Leadership Skills, Develop Confidence and Gain the Trust of Any Horse in Any Situation
And so many more! Clinics tended to run approximately one and a half hours long, with some lessons spaced out by breed presentations, using live, ridden models of each breed.
Presentations at Equine Affaire
The Mallary Arena’s Demo Ring was large enough for a horse to fit into and stand quietly while a presenter used him for demonstration purposes. The Seminar Stage in the Better Living Center was for presentations without a live horse model. The Arabian Horse Association Youth Pavilion was also used for demonstrations and modeling breeds of horses.
Some demonstration topics included were:
- Clipping Techniques for the Beginner Groom or First-time Horse Owner
- Equine Chiropractic Care: How to Determine If Your Horse Would Benefit and How to Find a Qualified Equine Chiropractor
- Green Facility Management: Ideas for Making Your Equine Facility More Earth-Friendly
- Trail Riding: Keeping It Safe, Fun, and Environmentally Friendly
- Surviving and Thriving in a Slow Economy: Successfully Marketing Your Business with Little to No Budget
- Harness Fit, Form and Function
- Interscholastic Riding Opportunities for High School Students
- To Be or Not to Be De-wormed: A Natural Approach to Maintaining Your Horse’s Health
And so many more! Presentations tended to run approximately one hour in length. Presentations at the Youth Pavilion were spaced out by 15-minute breed presentations, with live models from each breed.
Breed Pavilion and Breed Presentations
Many horse breeds were represented at Equine Affaire, with a live model from each set up in a stall in the “Breed Pavilion,” or Stroh Building. Next to each stall was a booth of information and human representatives of the breed associations, for purchasing memorabilia, signing up with registries, and asking questions.
The breeds were also displayed in the 15-minute intervals between clinics and presentations. Some horses were ridden, others driven, some shown in-hand, and some displays were even choreographed to music. All were accompanied by a vocal discussion of the breed and its history.
“C” Barn was where all the horses were kept that would be used as breed representatives, in the clinic lessons, or in the nightly Pfizer Fantasia. The barn was open to Affaire-goers to walk through and admire.
Equestrian Vendors at Equine Affaire
Hundreds of New England horse businesses set up booths at Equine Affaire this year. Vendors were in the Better Living Center, the Young Building, and a few were in the Mallary Complex, along with the horse trailer sales area.
Some large businesses included the Crop and Carrot Tack Shop, JP’s North, Rick’s Ranchwear, Allie’s Tack and Feed, Priefert Ranch Equipment, Rod’s Western Palace, Bit of Britain Saddlery, and Walkabout Farm Breyer Model Horses. Basically, anything horse-related was represented at least once throughout the vendor aisles. From tack to gifts, from veterinary to stall doors, anything possible to purchase for a horse was available at Equine Affaire. Additionally, many vendors offered incredible sales on their wares specially for Equine Affaire attendees, handed out lots of free stuff, and some even had raffle drawings. This venue truly is the one-stop-shop for horse owners and lovers.
Versatile Horse and Rider Competition
Thirty horse and rider pairs entered to win this contest, based on judged performance and fastest time through a tough obstacle course. This year's course boasted a tunnel to canter through, a pumpkin patch, jumping, a gate, hitting a ball with a mallet, and much more!
Equine Affaire’s Pfizer Fantasia
As always, the Pfizer Fantasia was just about a sold out show long before the November weekend arrived. The show requires special admission that must be purchased separately from general admission to Equine Affaire. It is held Friday and Saturday night, at 8pm. A most beautifully choreographed performance, the lighting effects and ambiance make this show a must-see for horse enthusiasts. Top riders and their horses performed small segments of the show, to create a whole that was spectacular, diverse, and inspiring. For those who have never seen the Pfizer Fantasia, it comes highly recommended by those who have. It’s the perfect ending for a long day of horse education, horse talk, and horse-related spending!
 |
 |
 |
