An Equine Affaire
Like any conscientious horse person, Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, realizes the importance of being current with the ever-changing trends of the horse world. One of the ways she learns is by attending the Equine Affaire - this Nation's Premiere Equine Exposition & Equestrian Gathering. This organization was established in 1993 for the purpose of creating a first-class, education-oriented horsemen's convention. Through demonstrations and clinics, attendees learn so much important information. It's also very exciting to be surrounded with extraordinary horses and extraordinary riders. Not to mention all of the extraordinary shopping that may be done! Please enjoy Betsy's photos taken at the event.
1 Ben Risney - expert chainsaw carver - creates beautiful masterpieces.
2 Here he is at work carving a bear.
3 More of his creations
4 The coliseum where classes and shows were held
5 There is always a mad rush for equine shopping.
6 Mark Rashid - horse trainer - he 'listens to what the horse is trying to say.'
7 Day one schedule for educational lectures
8 A large version of my very own Billy
9 A very unusual long-haired donkey called a baudet du Poitou from France. This woman is preserving these rare animals on her farm in Hartland, Vermont.
10 Betsy's friend, Monique, shopping for clippers
11 Equipment for driving
12 KC La Pierre - an expert on Applied Equine Podiatry
13 Mr. La Pierre uses an actual hoof to demonstrate.
14 His book, The Chosen Road, is a great book about podiatry for horses.
15 Distinctive designs for Drivers
16 Shopping for driving hats
17 We use Nelson Horse Waterers on my farm.
18 I love these dog waterers. I'll have to get one for Francesca and Sharkey.
19 Equine Master is a special blend of pasture mix for horses.
20 An Equine Master representative
21 Horse Quencher is a product that encourages horses to drink more water.
22 Rita Dee was there with some of her amazing sculpture.
23 This is Rita Dee. Most of the wood in these sculptures comes from the waters of the mighty Hudson River where it washes down from the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.
24 John Lyons - known as 'America's Most Trusted Horseman' - uses a balloon as a desensitizing tool.
25 Betsy loved this print - these donkeys look just like Clive and Rufus!
26 This is a clinic being taught by Peter Leone (center). He is an award winning Olympic rider.
27 This beautiful horse is known as a Gypsy Vanner. These horses, bred by the Gypsies, are easily recognizable by their long, flowing manes and tails, and the profusion of feathers on their legs.
28 A lovely Gypsy Vanner on display
29 These fine leather goods are made in Australia.
30 Tufts University is a prestigious school for veterinary medicine.
31 They offered advice for all parts of horse anatomy.
32 Ten Golden Rules - one of the seminars that Betsy attended
33 An entire area was devoted to transportation for horses.
34 Morgan's Fudge is a tradition at The Equine Affaire.
35 Another schedule
36 Friesians of Majesty - a Friesian breeder located in Townshend, VT
37 They brought this beauty - a six-month-old Friesian.
38 They also brought Othello - a stallion born 4/6/2004
39 Something of a reenactment - Knights of Valour have been entertaining audiences nationwide with their exciting shows of horsemanship, bravery and chivalry.
40 Their armor is highly detailed and very authentic.
41 An ancient large-breed of horse - the Giant Shire
42 The Giant Shire's tack is enormous.
My kids are fascinated by horses. They are such big creatures, but so peaceful. I loved your photo of the driftwood horse sculpture - beautiful!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | November 30th, 2009 at 9:17 am
thanks for the Friesians of Majesty picture from Equine Affaire - thanks to Martha and Ask Martha - i bought my Friesian from them and they are just great people
Posted by: Scott | November 30th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Betsy Pereton's photos are great. Some things never change and Ben captured horse reality in these sculptures. Thanks
Posted by: Ann | November 30th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
while the gypsy vanner is gorgeous,& friesians bring a smile, it's the shire i have been fascinated with since i was a little girl.
Posted by: jonquil | November 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Just recently I found out that you are a horse lover.
My name is Steve Trank and I am from Lyndhurst, NJ. My company has designed the Ultimate Horseshoe, it literally SAVES HORSES LIVES!!!
I need help infroming the equine industry of my horseshoes benifits and success stories.
If you are intereste please contact me, and feel free to visit my site.
Thank you for your time - Steve
Posted by: Steven Trank | November 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
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Photo 9 ----
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This is the baudet du Poitou donkey from France. The woman pictured is preserving these rare animals on her farm in Hartland Vermont.
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Last week, as I viewed these goof eared, rope wrapped hoofers, I thought of you and what you might do with a Christmas gift on your porch wearing such furs and floppies!
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Vermont Clop Clopping Anyone!?
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Posted by: andyjspencer.blogspot | November 30th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I only know that Betsy and any others involved in an equine love affair were in their glory attending this exposition! When one is passionate about something, he or she by nature eats/sleeps/drinks ANY information related to their interests - it's just innate!
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Thanks, Martha, for sharing this lovely gallery of all-things-equine. (And) Betsy, if you're doing any follow-up reading on today's blog, thanks for sharing your photos with our Martha! I would l-o-v-e to have the opportunity one day to be exposed to these beautiful creatures and learn their ways and how to handle them. Cat whisperer that I (feel that I) am, being a horse whisperer would be pretty awesome, too!
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=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 30th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
New England Equine Rescues (NEER), an all volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization helping horses and struggling horse owners throughout New England, hopes to raise enough money to have a booth next year and bring a rescue horse to encourage sponsors and adoptions.
We are proud to be able to help struggling horse owners through our emergency feed program when we have the funds. You can help for free! read how at: http://www.newenglandequinerescues.com/bagtagshelp.htm
Thank you!
Posted by: Mary Martin | November 30th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Hi Martha, Wow, what a great blog about Betsy's trip to the Equine Affaire! I can imagine how much fun she had and how much she learned at that exposition. As I have said before, you have the best crews at work and on your farm and other homes. I love hearing about the great things they all do. Betsy's photos were absolutely great and I'll bet she had a terrific time. Thanks for sharing and say Hi to fantastic Betsy. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Love this post and found each of Betsey Perreten's photos wonderful.
I grew up with and on horse's, and to have ever had the opportunity to attend such an "Equine Affaire" would have been an event of a lifetime to last in my treasure of memories forever. Thank goodness there are so many countless and dedicated people to enhance and enrich the lives for these spectacular animals.
Ben Risney's chainsaw carvings are beautiful. I would like to see him enter the Hackensack Minnesota International Chainsaw Festival held in the month of September each year. This last September a carver from Japan entered among the vast number of carvers from many locations. Ben Risney would bring the event up a level with his beautiful creations and would no doubt be a top competitor for the purse.
Thanks Martha for posting more wonderful informative subject matters for us. Especially appreciated by the horse lover fans today!
Posted by: Becky HK | December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 am
If you enjoyed equine affaire, you would love Quarter Horse Congress, which is in Ohio 3 weeks in October. It is much bigger, more demonstrations, and much better shopping! It's a great opportunity!
Posted by: marci | December 1st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Martha, I believe on one of your shows you stated that you were looking to buy old coke bottles or at least that is what a friend told me. If so I just so happen to have a few....please contact me at my email address and let me know...Thank You for your wonderful show over the years....Staci
Posted by: Staci | December 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
love the pics! I was wondering if your trainers use grand meadows products.They have the best supplements in the market right now for horses! check it out http://www.grandmeadows.com.
Posted by: Jay | December 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 am
I only know that Betsy and any others involved in an equine love affair were in their glory attending this exposition! When one is passionate about something, he or she by nature eats/sleeps/drinks ANY information related to their interests - it's just innate!.........
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Posted by: ridwanzero | December 29th, 2009 at 5:36 am
I'm glad Betsy enjoyed EA. I usually go every year but had to miss this year to attend to my late father. I love to watch the seminars and always learn something at them. I'm also VERY glad to see my lovely favorite stallion Othello. I've been to Friesians of Majesty sevveral times and just love that facility. I also got to groom Othello before his driving event at the Kuering (friesian inspection) 2 years ago. He is quite the studly boy and loves to pose for pictures. The farm offers woman's weekend camps that are wonderful-I learned more in 3 days about horses than in the years that we had our own horses while I was a teenager.
Posted by: Terry Boczar | January 8th, 2010 at 7:18 pm