SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The seventh annual Equine Affaire in Massachusetts, held last month at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts, was a phenomenal blend of world champion horses and riders, top-notch educational presentations, wall-to-wall shopping, and lots of eager attendees.

The 2004 Equine Affaire had a record attendance exceeding 105,000 over the four days. Horsepeople from throughout the Northeast, southeast Canada, and abroad gathered in west Springfield to learn from the many clinicians and support their favorite vendors at Equine Affaire.

“Attendance this year increased remarkably over 2003,” reported Eugenia Snyder, president of Equine Affaire. “We attribute the increase to the outstanding lineup of presenters, the depth and breadth of our trade show, and – above all – the enthusiastic and dedicated horsepeople in the region.”

The opening day of the event coincided with Veteran’s Day, and many people took advantage of the day off work to attend Equine Affaire.

Despite chilly temperatures and snow, attendance remained strong throughout all four days of the 2004 Equine Affaire. Attendees persevered to take advantage of more than 200 different clinics, seminars, and demonstrations presented by many of the horse industry’s leading coaches, competitors, and trainers. Even Massachusetts’ Governor Mitt Romney was in the stands on Thursday afternoon to watch his wife, Ann Romney, participate in dressage clinics conducted by Jan Ebeling.

Callan Sollem, a United States Equestrian Team member, graciously conducted clinics in the place of Todd Minikus who had to cancel his contracted presentations at Equine Affaire because of a last-minute qualification for a competition on the same weekend. Ms. Sollem presented outstanding jumping clinics and garnered rave revues from attendees and clinic participants alike. Clinicians at this year’s show also included Pat & Linda Parelli, Monty Roberts, Jane Savoie, Sharon Camarillo, and Richard Shrake, among many others. Clinics covered a full spectrum of equestrian events including dressage, barrel racing, jumping, reining, driving, western pleasure, and general training. New this year were the team penning and team sorting presentations by John May.

Attendees also shopped the diverse equine-related trade show – which featured more than 450 exhibitors and covered hundreds of thousands of square feet – and found tack, apparel, equipment, and other equine and equestrian essentials, as well as unique equine art, gifts, and treasures.

Other special features of this year’s Equine Affaire event included the Equine.com Breed Pavilion and the Horse & Farm Exhibits which showcased 40 different breeds of horses and featured booths from a variety of horse breed and color associations. Breed demonstrations took place in several arenas, with presentations highlighting each breed’s unique characteristics and strengths.

Fun and entertainment abounded at the American Livestock Supply Youth Pavilion. Young horse enthusiasts enjoyed activities such as stick horse making, face painting, coloring books, a trivia quest, and even stick horse rodeos at which “everyone was a winner.” In addition, several Equine Affaire clinicians and youth association exhibitors presented special youth-oriented educational sessions in the Pavilion – many of which were “standing room only!”

The event’s legendary Pfizer Fantasia sold out in advance for all three shows and was touted by many as the “best show yet.” Among the highlights of the Pfizer Fantasia was a moving Grand Prix Dressage freestyle performance by Dr. Cesar Parra riding his Olympic mount, Galant du Serein. The crowd also got “in the spirit” as the horses in the U.S. Icelandic Horse Congress Performance Team closed the show by tölting through the arena at remarkable speeds.

In addition to educational presentations and shopping, Equine Affaire offered the chance to win great prizes in the free raffle.

The 2005 edition of Equine Affaire will arrive in Springfield, Massachusetts, On November 10 and run through November 13. For more information, call (740) 845-0085 weekdays, or consult www.equineaffaire.com for continuously-updated information.