It’s all equine, all day long, starting today when Equine Affaire returns to celebrate 25 years at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
The show runs through Sunday.
“Equine Affaire is an event created for equestrians, by equestrians. Our founder, Eugenia Snyder, had a goal of creating a first-class, education-oriented horsemen’s expo where horse people from all breeds and disciplines could come together and share their passion When you bring horse people together from all corners of the industry like that, you trade ideas, skills, and concepts and you develop passions for new breeds and disciplines,” said Allison Rehnborg, marketing coordinator for Equine Affaire.
The popular equine exposition and equestrian gathering – which began in Ohio in 1994 and expanded to Massachusetts at the Eastern States Exposition in1998 – features educational opportunities, instructional clinics, a large horse-themed trade show, marketplace consignment store, alongside many more activities. A “horse for heroes” will provide veterans, first responders, and other heroes the chance to interact with horses and experience the effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Equine Affaire is always transforming itself, especially for this year’s anniversary celebration, and is rolling out a new competition, a series of equestrian fitness workshops, additional awards and more.
The new competition, slated for Saturday at 1p.m. in Mallary South Arena, is the Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge. It will feature three fun events: a barn chores marathon, bouncy pony race, and a horse nugget relay. The competition is open to all attendees and does not require a horse.
The fitness workshops, “Equestrians in Motion,” debuted at the Ohio show this spring and are designed to help riders improve their balance and stability in the saddle. They will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
“Drive a Draft,” returning this year, has not been presented at the Massachusetts show since 2019. Attendees can learn to drive a single draft horse or a pair of draft horses, on the grounds around the arena with supervision and help from the owners of Whispery Pines Percherons.
The new Best Booth Award involves Equine Affaire staff selecting a class of finalists representing the best booths in the trade show. The award is designed to give everyone a way to support their favorite exhibitor by visiting Facebook and voting for them. The award will be presented on Saturday.
The Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award, which has not been presented to a clinician since 2009, recognizes presenters and clinicians who have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to providing top-tier education to audiences and riders at Equine Affaire. It will be presented on Saturday night.
For kids, the Equine Fundamentals Forum has hands-on activities, arts and crafts, and a Stock Horse Rodeo where they can compete for prizes. Also, for older youths, the College and Career Fair provides an opportunity to learn about careers and college degrees related to the horse industry.
Visitors can end their day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a musical celebration of the horse called “Fantasia” in the Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. Featuring outstanding equine and equestrian performers from around the country, their performances will be choreographed to musical styles ranging from traditional and country to classical and contemporary and from dressage and reining to driving, liberty, garrocha and more.
“Fantasia” requires separate tickets, which range from $16 to $27. Performances are often sold out and those hoping to attend the spectacle are advised to purchase tickets early on the Equine Affaire website.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, Equine Affaire will be distributing a limited supply of vouchers to the first 2,500 guests to go through the gates. Each voucher will be good for 25% off one item of Affaire Ware at the Equine Affaire information booth.
Hours for Equine Affaire are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
General admission tickets – which include entry to the trade show, numerous themed pavilions, exhibits, special activities, competitions and all horse clinics, seminars and demonstrations – are on sale online. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for children ages 7-10, and free for children aged six and under. Four-day passes for adults are also available at $55.
“We’ve spent the last 25 years bringing this world-spectacular event every November to the Eastern States Exposition, and we hope to continue this tradition for another 25 years at least,” Rehnborg said.
