FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:  	Katie Patrick
		(740) 845-0085 ext. 107
		kpatrick@equineaffaire.com
						
      Release also available electronically.



The 2006 Equine Affaire in Ohio Is Expected to Be the Largest Ever

      The 13th annual Equine Affaire in the Midwest will be held at the Ohio Expo Center     April 6–9, 2006.  As the largest and longest-running national equine exposition and equestrian gathering in North America, Equine Affaire is expected to draw an attendance of more than 100,000 to Columbus, OH, from throughout the United States.  Equine Affaire’s cornerstone is its extensive educational program, which—along with a large and diverse trade show, Breed Pavilion, Youth Pavilion, and evening entertainment—is guaranteed to offer something of interest for every horse enthusiast.  
      Equine Affaire is a four-day event offering countless opportunities for horse owners and enthusiasts to meet and learn directly from some of the world’s most accomplished horsemen, as well as to see some of the country’s finest horses—all for a nominal admission fee.  More than 200 clinics, seminars, and demonstrations will take place in eight venues during the four days of Equine Affaire.  The educational program will feature an outstanding roster of clinicians covering a broad range of equestrian disciplines.  “We are very proud of our ability to bring together so many highly-respected competitors, trainers, and coaches from numerous horse sports and disciplines,” said Eugenia Synder, President of Equine Affaire.  “Again this year we have focused on featuring a combination of nationally-recognized general trainers as well as leading coaches and competitors from a variety of equine disciplines.” 
      In 2006, the roster of accomplished clinicians invited to present at Equine Affaire includes:  John Lyons (general training); Monty Roberts (Join-Up®); Chris Cox (general training); Denny Emerson (eventing); Julie Goodnight (Straightforward Horsemanship); Bennie Sargent (pleasure driving); Judy Richter (jumping); Brian Dygert (reining); Lendon Gray (dressage); Tommy Garland (Arabian English, hunter & western pleasure); Shelby French & R. Scot Evans (hunters); Janet Stover (barrel racing); Curt Pate (low-stress colt starting & horsemanship); Debbie Banfield (combined driving, driving with disabilities & pleasure driving); Doug Leasor (pole bending); Larry Whitesell (easy gaited horses); John May (team penning & team sorting); Peter DeCosemo (dressage); GiGi Bailey (huntseat equitation, hunter under saddle & showmanship); Lew Sterrett (Principle-Based Training); Mary Rivers-Downey (sidesaddle, trick riding & trick training); Scot Hansen (trail riding & mounted police training); Connie & Tim Ballard (miniature horses); Laura Benson (gaited horses); Diane & Ernie Purcelli (therapeutic riding); Maggie Herlensky (ride & tie); First Ohio Cowboy Mounted Shooters (cowboy mounted shooting); Wendy Murdoch (biomechanics); Laura Amandis (liberty work); and more.  Training clinics will take place in the Coliseum, Equine.com Arenas in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center and Cooper Arena, and Rod’s Covered Paddock. 
      The Wahl Clipper Seminar Stage, Arabian Horse Association Demo Ring, and Wrangler Demo Ring will serve as venues for four full days of seminars and demonstrations.  Industry experts will present non-stop sessions on a wide variety of horse management and training issues for horse owners and enthusiasts of all levels.  Topics will include breeding, equine law, horse show preparation, equine sales, equine photography, ribbon crafts, and equine literature.  The group of experts who will offer seminars and demonstrations includes:  Nancy Loving, DVM; Mitch Taylor, CJF; Nicole Carswell; Julie Ferstman, Esq.; Denny Chapman; Carole Fletcher; Lesley Ward; Kenny Harlow; and Brenda Imus; and many more.
      Horse-crazy children will have their own forum in which to demonstrate and increase their horse knowledge at the Young Rider Youth Pavilion in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center.  “The younger generation is the key to building a strong basis for the horse industry of the future,” Snyder said.  “We are committed to developing a quality educational program in the Youth Pavilion to engage tomorrow’s horse owners, competitors, and professionals.  This is the ideal place to bring kids face-to-face with professionals who can not only teach them more about horses, but can also serve as role models for the opportunities to succeed in the equine community.”  Kids will also enjoy fun activities first-hand, from stick horse making and a stick horse rodeo to the Equine Affaire Coloring Book of Breeds and face painting.  As children and their parents make their way around the trade show and educational venues throughout the various Ohio Expo Center buildings, they can learn about horsemanship by playing an equine “trivia quest” game.
      This year’s Breyer Celebrity Horse Showcase will give horse enthusiasts an unusual opportunity to meet famous horses from around the country.  Celebrity horses will include Nevada Joe, the former wild mustang who was part of Wahl Clipper Corporation’s Wild Horse Adoption program and is the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association’s 2006 Ambassador; ERB Magnifico, a trick-trained Peruvian paso stallion; and Rich In Dallas, a nine-year-old gelding who performed in the movie, “Seabiscuit,” and currently resides with the ReRun thoroughbred adoption program in Virginia.
      Attendees can peruse exhibits from various horse breed associations and private horse farms in both the Cashman Breed Pavilion (in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center) and the Horse & Farm Exhibits (in the Gilligan Complex).  Breed representatives will show off their finest breed ambassadors in live demonstrations in the main arenas throughout all four days.  “One of the things we hear most from our attendees is how memorable it was for them to see a new breed—in person—for the first time,” Snyder said.  “The Breed Pavilion and the Horse & Farm Exhibits offer rare opportunities for the public to learn more about stallions, farms, boarding stables, training, and breeding services in the region.  Many horsepeople often consider buying a new breed of horse or trying a new sport or discipline, and Equine Affaire is where they can come to explore their options and build connections with the folks who know those horses and sports best.”  Horse breed associations and color registries will share information and answer questions at booths, and will have adjoining exhibit stalls filled by a rotating selection of stallions, mares, and geldings.  
      At the Pfizer Fantasia evening show audiences will enjoy drama, comedy, glitz, and inspiration…all delivered by stunning horses and the people who love to perform with them.  This extremely popular musical revue will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and feature champion horses and riders exemplifying sports such as reining, dressage, and vaulting; as well as spectacles of dazzling professional horsemanship.  These special evening performances will complement the daytime educational program and celebrate the special bond shared between man and horse.  The Pfizer Fantasia, which requires a separate ticket, will begin at 8:00pm each evening. 
      Horsepeople will travel to Equine Affaire from Ohio and the surrounding states not only to improve their horse management, training, and riding skills, but also for the opportunity to shop the largest equine-related trade show in the nation.  Five buildings will house more than 450 displays of equine-related merchandise.  Equestrians will want to take advantage of having everything equine—from tack, barn equipment, and farm equipment, to nutritional supplements, apparel, and publications—in one place to research which products best meet their needs just before the start of the 2006 riding and showing season.  Displays of heavy-duty trucks and nearly every major brand of horse trailers will cover more than 150,000 square feet in and near the John Lyons Pavilion.
      Equine Affaire will offer chances to win great prizes again in the 2006 raffle.  Prizes include an English saddle package from Thornhill Enterprises, Inc.; a western saddle package from F.M. Brown’s Sons; a winter blanket package from Valley Vet Supply; a western show outfit from Berry Fit Co., LLC; and tickets to next year’s event.  The raffle is open to those at least 18 years of age and can be entered using the online raffle entry form until March 24th.  One online entry will be accepted per household.  Equine Affaire attendees may also enter the raffle at the event by completing the computerized entry form at the Raffle Center in the Bricker Building.  One at-show entry will be accepted per person.  Entries can be made at Equine Affaire until Sunday at 4:00pm; raffle winners will be announced after 4:30pm that day.  Entrants need not be present to win.
      Equine Affaire is able to offer horse lovers an exceptional educational program for nominal admission fees thanks to the support of more than 40 equine industry manufacturers and retailers.  In addition to those previously mentioned, Equine Affaire extends a special “thank you” to all of its generous sponsors, including Farnam Companies and Sundowner Trailers.
      The 2006 Equine Affaire will be open 9:00am–7:30pm Thursday, April 6th, through Saturday, April 8th, and 9:00am–5:00pm on Sunday, April 9th.  The doors will open for the Pfizer Fantasia at 7:30pm, and the show will start at 8:00pm.  Daily admission includes access to all clinics, seminars, demonstrations, the trade show, Breed Pavilion, and Youth Pavilion and is only $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 7 to 12.  Four-day passes are also available at $36 for adults and $21 for children.  Kids 6 and under are admitted free.  Both daily admission tickets and Pfizer Fantasia tickets can be purchased in advance using the credit card ordering system at www.equineaffaire.com or by calling the Equine Affaire office; general admission will also be available at the gate (cash only).  The Ohio Expo Center will charge for parking.
	Special discount rates have been negotiated with 40 area Equine Affaire host hotels, and camping with electrical hookups will be available on the Ohio Expo Center grounds.  
	For more information about the event and advance tickets, contact the Equine Affaire office at (740) 845-0085 weekdays from 9:00am–5:00pm Eastern.  Host hotel information and a complete Clinic, Seminar & Demonstration Schedule are also available on the Web site at www.equineaffaire.com.
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