CONTACT: Angela Ryan, Equine Affaire, Inc. phone/fax: 740-845-0085 ext. 110 aryan@equineaffaire.com / www.equineaffaire.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Equine Affaire W. SPRINGFIELD, MA. – Equine Affaire, the nation’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering, will return to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, November 8–11, 2007. Equine Affaire will feature more than 225 different training clinics, seminars, and demonstrations in conjunction with a trade show that will include hundreds of the nation’s leading equine retailers and manufacturers. The 2007 event, which marks the 10th anniversary of Equine Affaire in New England, will have something to offer to horse enthusiasts of all breeds, sport preferences, and levels of expertise. The trade show hours will be 9:00am–7:30pm Thursday, November 10th through Saturday, November 12th; and 9:00am–5:00pm on Sunday, November 13th. As in past years Equine Affaire’s signature evening event, the Pfizer Fantasia, will be produced on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00pm in the Coliseum. Because Equine Affaire offers so much to see and do, the staff of Equine Affaire offers the following suggestions for making the most of your Equine Affaire experience: MAKE PLANS WITH FRIENDS Equine Affaire is the perfect getaway for you, your horse-loving friends, and members of your horse-related clubs and associations. It’s also a great place for online groups to meet. There will be so much to see and do, and it will be a great place to share your passion for horses with other horse people. MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS EARLY Special discounted rates are available at numerous Equine Affaire host hotels in and around W. Springfield. Where they are not sold out, blocks of rooms at host hotels will expire in October, so make your reservations now. For a continuously-updated list of host hotels—with locations, rates, amenities, and room availability—call Equine Affaire or consult www.equineaffaire.com. PURCHASE YOUR EVENT TICKETS EARLY Advance admission tickets can be purchased through October 19th online at www.equineaffaire.com, or, by calling 740-845-0085. Tickets will also be available at the gates (cash only). MAKE PLANS TO SEE THE PFIZER FANTASIA The Pfizer Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s signature evening event, will be a musical celebration of the horse showcasing a wide variety of equine acts choreographed to an assortment of musical styles from classical to contemporary. Horses and handlers will perform dazzling stunts and breathtaking classical riding. Acts will also include dramatic driving segments, drill teams, liberty acts, vaulting, and more. The doors to the Coliseum will open at 7:30pm, and the Pfizer Fantasia will begin at 8:00pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This very special equine event requires a separate ticket, and all seats are reserved. Tickets went on sale July 18th and have sold briskly, so remember to reserve your seats soon! Call Equine Affaire or use the online credit card ordering system to purchase your tickets today. KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND HOW TO GET THERE A map of the W. Springfield area and directions to Eastern States Exposition are available at www.equineaffaire.com. Eastern States Exposition is strategically located in the heart of New England near the junction of Interstates 90 and 91. Attendees may access the grounds only via Gate 9 on Memorial Ave. at the east end of the facility. DRESS COMFORTABLY Sessions will begin early and run continuously through each day. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to cover a lot of ground traveling through the trade show and between clinic and seminar venues. Although the buildings are temperature-controlled, you may want to dress in layers to maintain your comfort level within all venues. BRING A PAD AND PEN, CASSETTE RECORDER, AND VIDEO CAMERA Backpacks are allowed, and you will surely want to take notes during many of the clinics and seminars. After all, it’s only at Equine Affaire that you will see so many of the leading equine professionals all in one place! All sessions may be recorded on audiocassette. Videotaping is also permitted for most sessions; an announcement will be made at the beginning of a session if videotaping is prohibited at the request of an individual clinician. PURCHASE AN EVENT PROGRAM The souvenir program will include a map of the grounds as well as detailed layouts of all buildings, a comprehensive list of exhibitors (including booth locations and phone numbers), an updated clinic and seminar schedule, and biographical information on all of the presenters at Equine Affaire. The program will be an invaluable guide during your visit, a handy place to take notes, and the perfect place to gather autographs. Programs will be sold at each of the main entrance gates and at the Information Booths in the Better Living Center and Mallary Complex. PLAN YOUR DAY -- BE SURE TO SEE EVERYTHING Use the comprehensive information available in the event program to carefully plan your time at the event. In addition to the full schedule of presentations, demonstrations, and seminars, there are many other activities taking place within the trade show, Youth Pavilion, Breed Pavilion, and Horse & Farm Exhibits. You won’t want to miss the Arabian Horse Association Youth Pavilion and the Stone Horses™ Celebrity Horse Showcase in the Mallary Complex. These fun and educational areas have been developed especially for young horse enthusiasts and their parents. The Youth Pavilion will be a great place for young equestrians to connect with horse-related and youth-related associations and organizations. A variety of informative and hands-on activities will focus on the importance of educating and involving children in the horse industry. Be sure to also visit the Equine.com Breed Pavilion in the Stroh Building where visitors have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of breeds. Breed association representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information. Choreographed breed demonstrations will also take place throughout the event in the clinic arenas. In addition, the Horse & Farm Exhibits area in C-Barn will give attendees the opportunity to visit with a large number of farms and gather information on stallions, training, and breeding services. HAVE PLENTY OF SPENDING POWER AVAILABLE The trade show at Equine Affaire will cover thousands of feet of indoor exhibit space in the Better Living Center, Young Building, Stroh Building, Mallary Complex, and Mallary Arena at the Eastern States Exposition. Attendees will have the opportunity to shop the largest equine-related trade show in the East featuring more than 450 vendors who will offer everything equine – from tack, riding apparel, health & grooming supplies, barn equipment, to jewelry, books, publications, videotapes, art, fencing, gifts, trucks, and trailers. In addition there will be booths providing information on horse breeds, clubs, and sports. ATMs are located on site so you won’t miss out on an unexpected find. PARTICIPATE IN THE EQUINE AFFAIRE RAFFLE This year’s Equine Affaire Raffle will feature a range of great prizes including a blanket package, daily drawings for Pfizer Fantasia tickets, tickets to next year’s event, and much more. Entrants must be residents of the United States or Canada and at least 18 years of age. Equine Affaire’s Web site includes details on the raffle and prizes as well as a form to enter the raffle before the event. One online entry will be accepted per household through October 29th. At the event you can enter once again by completing an electronic entry form at the Raffle Center in the Mallary Arena. ABOVE ALL, ENJOY YOURSELF Equine Affaire is produced by horse people, for horse people and we look forward to seeing you at the event! While at the event, if you have any questions, please stop by the Information Booth in the Better Living Center for assistance. # # #