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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<
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