AN AFFAIRE TO REMEMBER
Equine Affaire returns to the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA, on November 10-13 bringing its robust program of clinics, seminars, and demos as well as its popular musical celebration of the horse, the Fantasia. As the entertainment cornerstone of Equine Affaire, the Fantasia showcases the beauty, diversity, athleticism, and willing spirit of horses of a great variety of breeds and provides the perfect ending to a busy day of shopping and learning at Equine Affaire. Outstanding equine and equestrian acts from throughout the United States will perform to a wide range of musical styles. Equine Affaire’s impressive smorgasbord of clinics, seminars, and demos will be presented by many of the nation’s premiere coaches, competitors, trainers, TV personalities, authors and experts. Sessions on general horse training and horsemanship will be presented by Guy McLean, Jonathan Field, Lynn Palm, Tommie Turvey, and Sandi Simons. Equine Affaire offers the largest equine-oriented shopping opportunity in the East with hundreds of the nation’s leading equine and equestrian retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and organizations in five exhibit halls and the outdoor areas in between. Visit equineaffaire.com
EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL
The EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL, November 17-20, 2016 at the Village East Cinema in New York City, was created to highlight and award the diverse and creative efforts of those who artistically pay homage to the horse. The festival empowers storytellers to show the rich history and diverse tapestry of horses in human culture through equestrian content. The Festival promotes feature films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, commercials, training educational materials, art and literature. As home to the storytellers of the horse world, the EQUUS Film Festival is the first event of its kind dedicated to equestrian-themed film, fine art and authors. Program events include the EQUUS Magazine Directors Panels, EQUUS Pop-Up artist, filmmaker and literary gallery, Li’l Herc Family Fest with free Saturday films, Sunday tours of the Carriage Horses Stables, and a Thursday evening VIP Party, winding up with the WINNIE Award Ceremony and party on Saturday evening. Founded in 2013 the EQUUS Film Festival 2015 presented over 150 films and 32 WINNIE Awards including Equestrian Art Film, Director, Documentary, Commercial, International, Music Video, People’s Choice and Best of Festival. Visit equusfilmfestival.net
OUT & ABOUT
THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL Balloon Fiesta will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 1-9, 2016. The 45th annual event will feature more than 500 hot air balloons, of which nearly a hundred are anticipated to be special shape balloons. Pilots from all over the world have been invited to fly in the popular international event. The 2016 event theme is “Desert Kaleidoscope.” The Balloon Fiesta’s five signature morning mass ascensions launch both weekends (October 1-2, 8-9) and mid-week (October 5). Other favorite events include the Balloon Glows, Special Shape Rodeo, and Music Fiesta. The first day of flying is scheduled for Saturday, October 1. The Dawn Patrol Show, launching in the dark will take to the skies followed by a dawn launch of more than 500 hot air balloons. Reaching for the skies, balloon pilots will launch in various waves in search of the famous Albuquerque Box (a wind pattern unique to Balloon Fiesta Park providing pilots the chance to take off and land from the same location). The Balloon Fiesta flying competition will begin on Monday, October 3 and will continue throughout the week. Additionally, the Balloon Fiesta will host the Balloon Federation of America’s US Women’s National Championship October 1-5. A complete schedule for the nine-day event can be found at balloonfiesta.com