Get inspired at educational clinics or compete for cash in Columbus this spring.
Are you struggling to level up in the show ring, dealing with frustrations on the trail, or wishing you knew more in general about riding, training, and horsemanship? Insights into all these problems (and more!) are waiting for you at North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering.
This spring, Equine Affaire takes place on April 13-16, 2023, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Featuring such industry standouts as Guy McLean, Julie Goodnight, Jonathan Field, and Jason Irwin, along with an outstanding class of discipline-specific presenters, this year’s clinic schedule abounds with learning opportunities – including the chance to Ride with a Pro! You can also apply to compete in the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, slotted for Friday, April 14, and put your riding skills to the ultimate test during everybody’s favorite four-day equine extravaganza.
WANT TO RIDE WITH A PRO?
Whether you’re an English enthusiast, a Western devotee, a driving aficionado, or a connoisseur of multiple disciplines, there is an educational clinic – or two, or three – for you at Equine Affaire. Through Ride with a Pro, you can apply to participate in a session with the clinician of your choice. The following clinicians are hosting clinics on these topics and looking for riders:
- Suzanne Galdun (Biomechanics)
- Guy McLean (Colt Starting)
- JJ Tate (Dressage)
- Sterling Graburn (Driving)
- Carl Bledsoe (Easy Gaited Horses)
- Jonathan Field (General Training & Horsemanship)
- Julie Goodnight (General Training & Horsemanship)
- Jason Irwin (General Training & Horsemanship)
- Nona Garson (Hunters/Jumpers)
- Rita Timpanaro (Hunters/Jumpers)
- Bronwyn Irwin (Pole Bending)
- Brad Barkemeyer (Reined Cow Horse)
- Bryan Penquite (Reining)
- Wendy Murdoch (Rider Position and Sure Foot®)
- Ali Kermeen (Working Equitation)
- Jonathan Field (Yearlings and Weanlings)
- Jason Irwin (Youth Riders & Trainers)
To apply to Ride with a Pro, visit equineaffaire.com (select the Ohio event, click “Participate,” and then “Ride with a Pro”) or contact Lori Helsel at lhelsel@equineaffaire.com. Fees for clinics range from $75 to $350. All clinic fees include participation in the clinic, admission to Equine Affaire on the day of the clinic, and twenty-four hours of stabling for your horse. Applications are due by February 15, 2023. Give your horse a spectacular Valentine’s Day present and apply today!
LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHALLENGE?
There’s another way to ride at Equine Affaire this spring – and this one might just put some change in your pocket and a ribbon around your horse’s neck! Apply to compete in the 2023 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition, which will take place on Friday, April 14, in the coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center. This exciting tournament – a fan-favorite event at Equine Affaire – affords riders the chance to display their skills and race the clock as they navigate a challenging set of obstacles and tasks.
With just three months to go until Equine Affaire, now is the perfect time to start a riding program geared towards boosting you and your horse’s versatility acumen. If you plan to ride in the VHRC, you can look forward to facing obstacles and tasks such as rollbacks, pole bending, backing through patterns, gymkhana games, gates, spooky objects, gait and lead changes, flexing, and much more. Contestants are judged on their horsemanship skills and athletic prowess as well as the communication between horse and rider. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top four riders, and the top ten riders receive ribbons.
The VHRC field is capped at twenty-five riders, so there’s no time to waste! Apply by February 15, 2023, by visiting equineaffaire.com and selecting the Ohio event, then “Participate,” and “Versatile Horse & Rider Competition.” Riders must be at least 18 years old to apply. Got questions? Email Coagi Long at clong@equineaffaire.com.
Equine Affaire gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsors who are making this year’s event possible: Absorbine, Rod’s, US Equestrian, Espana Silk, and GGT Footing. Visit our website (www.equineaffaire.com), follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @equineaffaire, or call our office at (740) 845-0085, 9:00am-5:00pm EST (M-F). We will see you at Equine Affaire in Ohio!
CONTACT:
Allison Rehnborg, Marketing Coordinator
Equine Affaire, Inc.
Phone: (740) 845-0085 ext. 103
arehnborg@equineaffaire.com
www.equineaffaire.com
*Pictures Available Upon Request