Equine Veterinary Schools

Admin | November 19, 2011 | Comments Off

Equine Veterinary Schools

Equine Veterinary Schools

The traffic was thick and the buildings congested as the entire equestrian community turned out for this year’s Equine Affaire, held at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E fairgrounds). Riding clinics with famed trainers took place in the Coliseum and also in the Mallary Complex Clinic Arena; even more clinics were held in the Mallary Demo Arena and also in the Young Building Arena. Informational booths were set up throughout Mallary Complex, Young Building, the Better Living Center, and the Stroh Building. An overall gray and rainy weekend, attendees sported umbrellas and light jackets as they walked from building to building. Some were even forced to park out in a very muddy field; a tow-truck could be seen helping out some stranded Affaire-goers at the end of Saturday night.

The Clinicians

Equine Affaire drew some big names in horse training this year, such as John Lyons, Steffen Peters (who unfortunately could not attend, but was covered by Pam Goodrich who did an incredible job), Bruce Davidson, Peter Leone, Susan Harris, Richard Winters, Craig Johnson, Larry Whitesell, Mark Rashid, Tommy Garland, Kathy Connelly, Sharon Camarillo and Ken McNabb. Many more clinicians, presenters, and demonstrators were present. Some clinic topics included were:

  • Dressage: Special Considerations for Developing a Musical Freestyle
  • How to Produce an Event Horse: Training for the Upper Levels
  • Unveiling the Secrets of How to Sit the Trot Correctly
  • Centered Riding: Advanced Applications for Riding and Training
  • Preparing for Today’s Competitive Courses: Building and Riding Fences and Courses that Pose Unique Questions
  • Advanced Work under Saddle for the Gaited Horse: Exercises to Improve Gait and Create a Calmer, Safer Horse
  • Performance Horsemanship for Better Barrel Racing: Producing a Balanced Approach, Rate and Turn Position
  • Colt Starting: Working with a Young, Unbroke Horse through Its First Saddling, Mounting and Riding
  • Training the Recreational Horse: Techniques to Improve Your Leadership Skills, Develop Confidence and Gain the Trust of Any Horse in Any Situation

And so many more! Clinics tended to run approximately one and a half hours long, with some lessons spaced out by breed presentations, using live, ridden models of each breed.