Learn everything you need to know about attending Equine Affaire, Nov 9-12, 2023.
The 25th anniversary of Equine Affaire is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone with you! Crafted and curated for equestrians by equestrians, North America’s premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering will take place next month on November 9-12, 2023, at the Eastern States Exposition. Whether this fall marks your first pilgrimage to Equine Affaire or your fifteenth, this press release is your insider’s guide to getting the most out of your visit.
Keep reading to find out tips and tricks for enjoying your trip; links to all the latest info about the event; answers to your most frequently asked questions; and lots of info on what to see, where to go, and what to do on each day of the event!
WHERE IS IT, WHEN IS IT, AND HOW DO I GET THERE?
Equine Affaire will take place at the Eastern States Exposition on November 9-12, 2023. The Eastern States Exposition is located at 1305 Memorial Ave in beautiful W. Springfield, Massachusetts. Hours for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are from 9 am-7 pm (EST), and for Sunday, from 9 am-5 pm (EST).
Single day tickets and four-day passes for Equine Affaire are available for purchase here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-tickets/. Tickets are digital, so you’ll receive yours by email within minutes of ordering! Save them to your phone or other mobile device, then present them upon your arrival for easy, hassle-free entry.
All attendees should access the event via Gate 9. The Eastern States Exposition charges for parking, so be prepared to pay the parking attendants promptly when you arrive. Also, please leave your pets at home! We cannot allow any pets in any of the buildings, except for credentialed service dogs.
Need more information? Click here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-locationevent-hours/.
QUICK TIP: If you plan to come multiple days or would like to enter and leave repeatedly on the same day, purchase a parking pass from the ESE! Parking passes will be available for purchase from the parking attendants at the gate.
FAQ: When can I arrive to park on site? You can arrive and park as early as you wish, but the doors to all the exhibit buildings will remain locked until 9 am.
WHERE CAN I STAY?
Equine Affaire has negotiated room blocks and special discount rates at several hotels near the event. To receive the special rate, make sure to mention Equine Affaire when you call! Room blocks and discounted rates expire throughout October, so book early. See our list of host hotels here: https://www.equineaffaire.com/events/Massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/
Want to camp? Camping is available on site at the ESE. There is no advance registration. The campgrounds will open to the public at 5:00 pm (EST) on Wednesday, November 8. You can call (413) 205-5374 for more information about camping. Learn more here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-campinglodging/
QUICK TIP: All our host hotels are listed in order of distance from the event here (https://www.equineaffaire.com/events/Massachusetts/mass-attend/host-hotels/) and that page also includes room block expiration dates, so make sure to bookmark it!
HEY, WHAT’S FANTASIA?
We’re glad you asked! Fantasia is Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse. This two-hour spectacular is designed to showcase the beauty, athleticism, and grace of the horse through exciting performances by the nation’s top equine and equestrian performers. The show happens on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights during Equine Affaire in the Coliseum. The doors open at 6:45 pm and the show starts promptly at 7:30 pm.
Sponsored by Absorbine, this year’s Fantasia will showcase exciting drill team performances by the Young Guns; a beautiful display of grace and precision by the Friesian Heritage Drill Team; heart-pounding trick riding maneuvers by the Pegasus Riders; amazing bridleless jumping and dressage by Unbridled Wings; the power of the Whispery Pines Percherons and the Morrisville College Belgians; and a fabulous comedic performance by Bobby Kerr, the Mustang Man, plus more! Bobby Kerr’s performance is sponsored by Espana Silk.
Fantasia requires separate tickets, and tickets sell quickly, so buy yours today! You can purchase Fantasia tickets online at https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-attend/mass-tickets/ or by calling our office at (740) 845-0085, M-F, 9 am-5 pm (EST).
QUICK TIP: Make sure to stay after the event for a special autograph signing session! All the performers come back out into the arena after the show to sign postcards and programs.
FAQ: Do I need to purchase separate tickets for Equine Affaire and Fantasia? Yes, you need to purchase general admission tickets to access Equine Affaire’s daytime activities and a separate ticket to attend Fantasia. However, if you arrive after 6:30 pm EST to attend only Fantasia, you will not have to purchase a general admission ticket to Equine Affaire.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT {INSERT DISCIPLINE HERE}?
If you’re looking for a leg up on your riding, training, or horsemanship skills, Equine Affaire is the horse expo for you. Our educational programs and stellar line-ups of clinicians have formed the cornerstones of our events since the very first expo. This fall, we are proud to present an elite coterie of talented equestrians, including Mike Major, Julie Goodnight, Jason Irwin, Brandi Lyons, Chelsea Canedy, and many more. With hundreds of educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations covering the gamut of horse-related topics, you’ll find out everything you ever needed or wanted to know about horses, horseback riding, horse health care and husbandry, and more.
Check out our schedule and presenters at this link to find the best clinics to attend for you and your area of interest: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/educational-program/mass-presenters/.
QUICK TIP: Many of our presenters will have booths in the trade show, and others are happy to answer quick questions or give brief tips after their clinics or seminars are over. The best questions to ask (according to our presenters) are short and sweet, with minimal background info, so try to keep your visit brief and to the point!
FAQ: How can I ride in a clinic at Equine Affaire? Equine Affaire’s Ride with a Pro clinic program is a popular and affordable way to ride with and learn from one of your idols at Equine Affaire! Applications to ride in Massachusetts are available online starting in July and the deadline to apply is typically in early September. Learn more about Ride with a Pro here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-ride-in-clinics/mass-ride-with-a-pro/.
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HORSES?
Equine Affaire is proud to be the gateway to the horse industry for many beginners! If you don’t know anything about horses, you’ve come to the right place. Start your visit at the Equine Fundamentals Forum in the Mallary South complex. The EFF features educational exhibits about horses, horse health, horse management, equine anatomy, and lots of hands-on activities, such as a mane and tail braiding station, an educational skeleton display, and lots more. There’s also a demo ring where horse-savvy experts will be hosting demonstrations on fundamental topics all day, every day, so there’s plenty to see and do and learn. We also suggest visiting the Breed Pavilion, where you can learn about breeds of horses from breed representatives, and touring the Horse & Farm Exhibits, where you can meet horsemen and horsewomen from a variety of local businesses and horse organizations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
QUICK TIP: Make sure to stop by the Equine Affaire Information Booth and tell our friendly staff that you’re brand new to Equine Affaire and to horses in general. They’ll have extra tips and info for you to help get you started!
WHERE DO I GO TO SHOP?
Equine Affaire is home to one of the nation’s largest horse-related trade shows. With hundreds of exhibitors spread out across multiple buildings, there are plenty of opportunities to kickstart your Christmas shopping season, fulfill wish lists for every horse lover in your family, or outfit your tack room with everything you need to train, feed, care for, or spoil every horse you own! Check out our list of vendors here (https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-trade-show/mass-exhibitors/)!
Love shopping for bargains? Located in the Mallary South, the Marketplace at Equine Affaire is a consignment shop where people just like you can drop off their gently used equestrian items for sale or browse for bargains among quality used equestrian goods. Learn more about consigning and shopping at the Marketplace here (https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-sell/mass-marketplace/).
QUICK TIP: Many exhibitors host raffles at their booths during the show. Make sure to take business cards or little slips of paper pre-filled with your name, mailing address, and email addresses to make entering raffles quick and easy! You can find a list of all the exhibitors holding raffles in the event program, too. You never know what you might win! (And for that matter, don’t forget to enter Equine Affaire’s raffle online: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/mass-free-raffle/!)
ARE THERE COMPETITIONS?
There are two competitions taking place at Equine Affaire! First, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, sponsored by Chewy, will take place on Friday, November 10, 2023, in the Coliseum. This exciting competition features horses and riders riding an obstacle course created to test communication between horse and rider, as well as each competitor’s horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. Riders are competing for $5,500 in cash and other prizes. It’s one exciting race! Check it out here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/mass-versatile-horse-rider-competition/ and bookmark this page for the future to learn more about applying to compete!
Next, we’re introducing a brand-new competition to Equine Affaire in honor of our 25th anniversary! The Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge is free to enter for all attendees, no horses needed. Sponsored by Boot Barn, the GEFC is happening Saturday, November 11, at 1:30 pm in the Mallary South Arena. This fun competition features three different activities: the barn chores marathon, the bouncy pony race, and the horse nugget relay. Prizes will be awarded to the top ten participants in each event. You can sign up on site by visiting the announcer’s table outside the Mallary South Arena. Learn more here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-participate/mass-compete/great-equestrian-fitness-challenge/.
HOW CAN I MEET SOME COOL HORSES AND PEOPLE?
Visit the Breed Pavilion in the Stroh building, of course! The Breed Pavilion will showcase dozens of horse breeds and registries with origins in North America, Europe, and beyond. You can network with horse owners, research breeds, learn about national, regional, and local breed associations and their activities, and so much more.
After you’re done in the Breed Pavilion, take a stroll through C-barn and visit the Horse and Farm Exhibits. You can chat with barn and equine business owners, visit with industry professionals offering horses for sale, learn about rescues and sanctuaries, meet horses up for adoption, and plenty more. You might even see performers or clinicians getting ready for a demo or clinic or preparing for their turn in Fantasia.
Do you love draft horses? Then you’ll love Drive a Draft! Offered by the Whispery Pines Percherons, Drive a Draft is your opportunity to learn how to drive a draft horse or a pair of draft horses with the guidance and supervision of the experts, Sam and Kellie Rettinger. This incredible activity is included in the cost of general admission – all you have to do is sign up when you arrive at the event! Learn more about Drive a Draft by visiting https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/drive-a-draft/.
Are you a veteran? Check out A Horse for Heroes at Equine Affaire. We’ve partnered with Operation Horses and Heroes to provide veterans, first responders, and their families with the opportunity to experience the benefits of equine-assisted therapies and activities. This activity will take place on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11 — Veterans Day! You can learn more here: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/a-horse-for-heroes/.
Would you like to improve your balance and stability in the saddle? Then you need Equestrians in Motion! These fitness workshops are sponsored by Blue Seal-Sentinel and presented by Ifa Simmonds, an equestrian fitness trainer and clinician. Sign up in advance for your opportunity to learn from Ifa in one of three workshops at Equine Affaire, happening Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of the event. Here’s how: https://equineaffaire.com/events/massachusetts/mass-other-features/equestrians-in-motion/.
QUICK TIP: Ask all the questions! Our exhibitors love to share and showcase their equestrian experiences. Make sure to ask for business cards or pamphlets, too, especially if you’re interested in taking lessons, purchasing a horse, or asking for training services.
WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?
Equine Affaire is a great place to take kids of all ages, especially horse-crazy ones. The Equine Fundamentals Forum has lots of fun activities, including an arts and crafts project area and a fun stick rodeo (3 pm daily!).
For young adults prepping for college, check out the College & Career Fair presentations by Dr. Karin Bump. Attend her sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then sign up for a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Bump to figure out how to match your equine interests with college and career options.
THIS SOUNDS GREAT! HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER / EXHIBIT / ADVERTISE / PARTICIPATE SOMEDAY?
Yes! You can learn more about how to volunteer, exhibit, advertise, or participate with Equine Affaire in the future by visiting www.equineaffaire.com.
MY QUESTION DIDN’T GET ASKED! NOW WHAT?
If you have more questions or need to get in touch with our staff, there are plenty of ways to reach out to us! Bookmark 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 can’t wait to see you at Equine Affaire!
CONTACT:
Allison Rehnborg, Marketing Coordinator
Equine Affaire, Inc.
Phone: (740) 845-0085 ext. 103
arehnborg@equineaffaire.com
www.equineaffaire.com
*Pictures Available Upon Request