|
Expert
Presenters, Even More Horses, and an Impressive Trade Show Make for
A Successful Equine Affaire in Pomona, CA
 Sunny
southern California weather welcomed a record crowd of equine enthusiasts at
the fifth annual Equine Affaire in Pomona on February 3–6. Attendees
traveled to Fairplex from throughout the Southwest to partake in Equine
Affaire’s educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations as well as a
variety of shopping opportunities catered to equestrians.
“Attendance
at the 2005 Equine Affaire in Pomona increased by more than 19% over
2004,” reported Eugenia Snyder, President of Equine Affaire. “We
attribute the increase in attendance to the outstanding lineup of presenters
offered at this year’s event, the addition of a Youth Pavilion to the
show, the expansion of our popular Breed Pavilion, the quality and diversity
of Equine Affaire’s trade show, and—above all—enthusiastic attendees
who have told their friends about Equine Affaire over the years.”
 Equine
Affaire’s top-notch roster of clinicians represented a myriad of
disciplines and presented training session ranging from horsemanship and
eventing to barrel racing, dressage, cutting, reining, and mule training.
Demonstrations and seminars covered equine massage, business management,
horse health, equine rescue and many other topics. California’s own
Pete Loftin (a founder of the United States Team Penning Association) and
Sharon Camarillo (a Woman’s Professional Rodeo Association champion barrel
racer) were joined by other renowned clinicians at Equine Affaire, including
Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, and David O’Connor.
In
conclusion to each day’s educational program, special evening clinics
conducted by Clinton Anderson, Sharon Camarillo, and Buck Brannaman on
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were attended by enthusiastic crowds.
Anderson worked an unbroke horse through the process leading up to the first
ride, including ground work, desensitization, and saddling. Brannaman
took a young Andalusion from the first ride and progressed through the walk,
trot, and canter. Camarillo charismatically presented a barrel racing
clinic with three advanced riders and shared “fine-tuning” tips to get
the most out of their horses and shave seconds off their runs. In
addition to attending the outstanding educational programs, visitors met
many presenters at their exhibit booths to gather further horse training
insight as well as collect autographs.
 Equine
Affaire visitors toured through six trade show buildings packed with
commercial exhibits, demonstrations, and seminars. They also reviewed
extensive indoor and outdoor truck and trailer exhibits located in the many
attractive plazas between the trade show buildings at Fairplex.
Horsepeople of all ages shopped the trade show, finding unique gifts and
treasures, tack, apparel, equipment, equine art, and other equine and
equestrian essentials.
Attendees
seemed pleased with all aspects of the event. Kris Penner attended all
four days and commented, “Two of your speakers really helped me, Mr. Rod
Bergen, and Dr. Karen Hayes. Bergen's seminars on trailering and
camping with your horse gave me a lot of excellent tips, and Dr. Karen
Hayes' presentation was a true eye-opener for this owner of senior horses.
Both of these presenters made the four days I spent at the event
worthwhile.”
Other
features of this year’s Equine Affaire event included the expanded Breed
Pavilion, new Youth Pavilion, and Celebrity Horse Showcase located in
Building 22. The Breed Pavilion housed more than 20 different breeds
of horses. Arabians, Morgans, Friesians, Paso Finos, and many more
took a turn in the spotlight in breed presentations conducted in the main
clinic arenas. The Youth Pavilion featured fun activities and
presentations especially for young horse enthusiasts. Several famous
horses were housed in the Celebrity Horse Showcase including Spirit, a Kiger
Mustang, who is the real horse that inspired the animated movie Spirit:
Stallion of the Cimarron!
 Eight
lucky individuals won the 2005 Equine Affaire Raffle prizes—Carrie Miranda
from Trabuco Canyon, CA, won the English saddle package from Hunter Creek
Saddlery; Marlene Greenberg from Olivenhain, CA, won the western saddle
package from Big Jim’s Tack; Michelle Smith from Riverside, CA, won the
blanket package from Valley Vet Supply; Judith Sanford from Tehachapi, CA,
won the western show outfit from Berry Fit Co.; Emily Brown from Clovis, CA,
won the English show outfit from Equestrian Collections.com; and Jack Coe
from Newhall, CA, Beverly Bishop from Big River, CA, and Micah Bivens from
Long Beach, CA, each won a pair of four-day tickets to next year’s Equine
Affaire event.
Sunshine
and mild temperatures throughout most of the four-day event afforded Equine
Affaire attendees a very enjoyable equestrian experience. Equine
Affaire allows horse enthusiasts to experience presentations by and exhibits
from a wide range of horse industry experts—all for a modest general
admission fee. This is made possible through the support of many
generous sponsors who made the event possible, including the Arabian Horse
Association, California Horsetrader, Carson Trailer, Farnam Companies, and
others.
Three
more Equine Affaires are scheduled in 2005: April 7–10 in Columbus,
OH; September 16–18 in Louisville, KY; and November 10–13 in W.
Springfield, MA. For more information on Equine Affaire, consult www.equineaffaire.com
or call (740) 845-0085 Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm Eastern.
|
