CONTACT: Angela Ryan, Equine Affaire phone/fax: 740-845-0085 ext. 110 aryan@equineaffaire.com / www.equineaffaire.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Annual Return of Millions of Tourist Dollars to Western Massachusetts W. SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 9–12, 2006 – Equine Affaire, the premiere horse exposition in North America, returns this November for the ninth time to the Eastern States Exposition. More than 100,000 attendees are expected at the four-day event, filling hotel rooms and restaurants from Holyoke to Hartford. Attendees are avid horse enthusiasts who come to learn as well as to shop. Event facts include: * Equine Affaire was first held in Massachusetts in 1998 as a three-day event, increasing to four days in 1999, with a majority of ticket holders spending a long weekend in the area.   * Equine Affaire is the largest horse event held in the region, attendance reaching more than 100,000. * Event hours are Thursday–Saturday: 9:00am–7:30pm; The Pfizer Fantasia: 8:00pm / Sunday: 9:00am–5:00pm with general admission pricing of: Adults: $13/day; $40/four-day pass; Children 7–12: $8/day; $24/four-day pass; Children under 6 Free. The Pfizer Fantasia requires a separate ticket. * Equine Affaire is international in scope yet enjoys a strong regional base. The top five states in order of attendance are: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. * 77% of Equine Affaire attendees are female. * In Massachusetts, 43% of attendees reported that they ride English; 29% western; and 28% ride both. They participate in everything from pleasure and trail riding to a range of competitive equestrian disciplines. - MORE - Event Highlights – Equine Affaire offers something for every horse enthusiast, including: * The largest horse-related trade show in the East with more than 450 industry-leading exhibitors. * A non-repeating schedule of clinics by nationally and internationally renowned professionals in numerous disciplines. * Educational and interesting demonstrations and hands-on seminars for all ages. * A showcase of horse breeds from around the world, including breed representatives to answer questions. * Special Event: Pfizer Fantasia, a musical celebration of the horse featuring drill team, freestyle dressage and reining, trick roping, vaulting, and comedy (requires separate ticket). * Exclusive free raffle featuring a variety of valuable prizes. The American Horse Industry – The American Horse Council industry survey states that the horse industry is one of the largest sport industries in the country. There are roughly 6.9 million horses and 1.9 million horse owners with a total of more than 7 million Americans directly involved in the industry as a whole. One out of every sixty-three Americans is involved with horses. Annual industry contributions include: * 1.4 million FTE jobs. * A direct economic effect of more than $39 billion. * A total impact of $102 billion on the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, contributing more than the motion pictures services, railroad transportation, furniture and fixtures, and tobacco product manufacturing industries. About Equine Affaire – Established in 1993, Equine Affaire produces annual equine education-oriented events across the United States. Equine Affaire’s mission is to: * Provide a comprehensive introduction to the extraordinary world of horses for non-horse people and to “expand the horizons” of current horsemen * Promote communication and cooperation within the diverse national horse industry * Improve the horse management, training, and riding skills of current horsemen * Showcase the finest horses and competitors of a variety of breeds and equine disciplines ####