FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 
Marisa Vetula, Print Project & Media Coordinator
Equine Affaire, Inc.
Phone:  (740) 845-0085 ext. 110
Fax:  (740) 845-2879
mvetula@equineaffaire.com / www.equineaffaire.com

Photographs available.



Exceptional Horses, Remarkable Riders, Drama & Comedy 
Will Define the 2009 Pfizer Fantasia

COLUMBUS, OH April 3-4, 2009 –  The Pfizer Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s signature evening event will return to the coliseum of the Ohio Expo Center on April 3rd and 4th. This exceptional equine musical revue will feature a variety of outstanding equestrian acts from throughout the United States choreographed to musical styles ranging from traditional and country to classical and contemporary.

The 2009 Pfizer Fantasia will highlight the brilliance, grace and athleticism of horses as well as the special connections we share with these wonderful animals.  As at past events, the Pfizer Fantasia will showcase the beauty and diversity of a variety of horse breeds as well as the excitement of equestrian disciplines and performances from reining and dressage to driving, drill teams, vaulting, jousting, and an aerial liberty act. The equine performers who will participate in this year’s Pfizer Fantasia will include a wide range of breeds from Quarter Horses, Paints, and Miniature Horses and Donkeys to warmbloods, Friesians, and drafts. 

Among the many outstanding equestrians who have been retained for the 2009 Pfizer Fantasia are Sasha Nevidonski who will travel from Missouri to present an unforgettable aerial liberty performance with his American Saddlebred, Mammuth. Renowned dressage competitor, George Williams, will present a Grand Prix musical freestyle on Marnix, a Dutch warmblood gelding, on which he has represented the United States in competitions throughout the world.  Reining fans will be treated to a dramatic freestyle reining routine ridden by Andrew Mitchell to the music from the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and young members of the audience will once again be treated to a vaulting routine featuring top-level riders of the American Vaulting Association’s Friendship Vaulting Team.  The remarkable Clay Maier will return to the Pfizer Fantasia by popular demand with his team of Friesians which he drives and rides simultaneously through jumps and obstacles, and Monty Roberts will make his debut performance within the Pfizer Fantasia riding with dressage specialist, Yvonne Barteau, in an East Meets West routine specially choreographed  for this year’s event.  The ever-popular Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team will bring their unique enthusiasm and precision riding to this year’s Fantasia which will also feature chariot racing, jousting, and several other special surprises.  

The doors to the Ohio Expo Center coliseum will open for the Pfizer Fantasia at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday evenings; each show will begin at 8:00pm.  The Pfizer Fantasia is presented each year to enthusiastic audiences, and most tickets for the two performances are expected to sell out in advance.  Tickets range in price from $12 to $25 plus shipping and handling.  Advance tickets may be purchased from January 12th through March 13th online with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) at www.equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085.   Any tickets not sold in advance will go on sale at 9:00am on Thursday, April 2nd, in the lobby of the Celeste Center at Equine Affaire.

Equine Affaire will take place April 2-5, 2009 and offer a program of more than 225 different clinics, seminars, and demonstrations by renowned trainers, competitors, and coaches; a Youth Pavilion; Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits; a Youth & Collegiate Judging Contest, “Canine Affaire,” and a trade show with more than 450 exhibitors. Show hours will be 9:00am–7:30pm on Thursday-Saturday and 9:00am–5:00pm on Sunday. Tickets include admission to all clinics and seminars and are priced as follows: Adults: $14/day; $48/four-day pass; Children 7–12: $8/day; $28/four-day pass; Children under 6: Free. Tickets for both The Pfizer Fantasia and Equine Affaire can be purchased by calling (740) 845-0085 weekdays from 9:00am–5:00pm Eastern or by visiting www.equineaffaire.com. The Ohio Expo Center will charge for parking.
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