WEST SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Equine Affaire, The Great American Horse Exposition will return to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 11-14, 1999. Recognized as the nation’s premiere national equine exposition and equestrian gathering, Equine affaire will feature nearly 200 different training clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented in five venues in conjunction with a trade show featuring more than 450 of the nation’s leading equine retailers and manufacturers. Since it’s inception in 1994, Equine affaire has attracted horse people from all 50 states and from numerous foreign countries, and each year it is an eagerly-anticipated “annual excursion” for thousands of horse people nationwide.

The line-up of nationally recognized trainers, competitors, and other horse-related professionals who will be featured as clinicians at the 1999 Equine affaire in W. Springfield reads like a “Who’s Who” in the horse industry. Among the clinicians who will be sharing their expertise will be John Lyons, Richard Shrake, Anne Kursinski, Jane Savoie, Kerry Millikin, Brian Dygert, Elizabeth McMullen, Larry Poulin, Curt Pate, Shawna & Vinton Karrasch, Dottie Brittingham, Larry Whitesell, and Don West. Seminar and hands-on demonstration presenters will include Dr. Joyce C. Harman, Dr. Nancy S. Loving, Jan Jacobson, Susan Sexton, Jochen Schleese, Mary Schreiber, Stacey Small, Barbra Schulte, and many, many more!

Equine Affaire offers horse people the opportunity to learn from the best, to explore new areas of the horse world, to see old friends and make new ones, to network, to communicate, to shop, to share, to discover, and to more fully appreciate the beauty, diversity, and talent of horses of all sizes, breeds, and disciplines. The event has something to offer to horse enthusiasts of all ages, all breed and sport persuasions, and all levels of expertise from the 4-H participant to the full-time professional. Because Equine Affaire has so much to offer, the event producers offer the following suggestions for making the most of the Equine affaire experience:

Obtain an Equine Affaire Clinic & Seminar Schedule: A  detailed listing of all of the clinics, seminars, and demonstrations offered in each venue on each of the four days of Equine affaire is available by calling Equine Affaire at (740)845-0085 or by consulting the Web site at www.equineaffaire.com. Because there are at least five different sessions offered at any one time and there is very little repetition within the overall Equine Affaire program, attendees have to make important choices about what sessions to attend. It is helpful to review the schedule in advance and develop a “plan of attack” for each day. If you’re travelling with other folks to the show, you may wish to attend some sessions together and then split up to “cover” different sessions for one another. Plan to come early and stay late -–there will be a lot to see each day!

Purchase an Equine Affaire Program when you arrive. The geographic scope of Equine Affaire is quite extensive. The show occupies the six largest buildings at the Eastern States Exposition. The souvenir program will include a map of the eastern States Exposition – which will help you get oriented – as well as detailed layouts of each of the buildings occupied by the event. These maps will assist you in finding the various clinic, seminar, and demonstration venues and food concessions and in navigating through the vast trade show. The program will feature a comprehensive list of exhibitors and their locations, a full clinic and seminar schedule, important emergency information for attendees, and biographical information on all of the presenters at Equine Affaire. The program will not only serve as an invaluable guide during your visit and as a handy place to take notes and obtain autographs, but it will also serve as a good resource upon your return from the show.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. All activities will be presented indoors in a temperature-controlled environment, but you will be walking short distances outdoors between buildings. Sessions begin early in the morning each day and will continue non-stop until well into the night, so it is important – above all – to be comfortable.

Bring a pad and pen, your cassette recorder, camera, and videocamera. You will surely want to take notes during many of the clinics and seminars. All sessions may be recorded on audiocassettes; you will also be able to videotape most sessions. There will be plenty of great horses and activities to photograph – and you may want a picture taken of you with one or more of the “famous faces” that will be at the show.

Bring plenty of “spending power.” The tradeshow at Equine Affaire is the largest and most comprehensive equine-related tradeshow in the Northeast featuring more than 450 horse-related exhibitors represented within exhibits ranging from 10x10 booths to huge tack stores and trailer exhibits. The tradeshow will provide a wonderful opportunity for horse people to prepare for next year’s competition and pleasure-riding season as well as take advantage of year-end savings on a broad range of products on today’s market. Equine Affaire will also be a great opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for the equestrians on your list. The show will offer literally acres of tack, riding apparel, trailers, health & grooming supplies, barn equipment, jewelry, books, publications, videotapes, art, fencing, gifts and booths featuring information on horse breeds, clubs and sports. There will be ATMs on site, but you are advised to come prepared for the “shopportunity.”

Participate in the Equine Affaire Raffle. Each year Equine Affaire conducts a free raffle drawing for a pair of four-day tickets to the next Equine Affaire, motel accommodations for the event, and a $500 shopping spree. By filling out an entry form for this drawing you will automatically be put on the list to receive information on future events and you will also have the opportunity to voice your opinions regarding the clinicians and topics you would like to see at future Equine Affaires. Entry forms will be available at the Information Booth in the Better Living Center.

To receive all the details on Equine Affaire, call (740) 845-0085 or consult the Equine Affaire Web site at www.equineaffaire.com for continuously updated information.