mini scoop
Since 1998 , over 100,000 horse lovers from all over the Northeast have come to West Springfield , MA for Equine Affaire . The event features clinics , seminars , vendors of all kinds of horserelated products , a breed pavilion promoting different breeds , booths
Massachusetts Equine Affaire 2016
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Submitted by Mary Adams
for universities , 4-H , non-profit organizations , riding and driving clubs , and an evening “ Fantasia ” program . Miniature horses had previously been featured in clinics or been on display in the barns . Seeking to change that and barely a month before the event , Equine Affair contacted the six people who had signed up to participate in a Sandy Croote clinic for Miniature horses to see if any of them could help out . Mary Adams , who had done it several years earlier for the New England Miniature Horse Society agreed .
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In a few short hours after asking for help on social media , Teri Silva , Cathy Waxler , and Ian Beck offered donations to help cover the booth rental fee . Many others volunteered to help out in the booth during the four days of the event .
In addition to the handouts , the table held a pair of Build-a-Bear sneakers which are used when visiting nursing homes and a tiny foal halter . Those items proved very difficult for attendees to ignore and were handled many times or sometimes just put smiles on people ’ s faces as they walked by .
Many , many Miniature horse owners stopped in to visit the booth over the course of the event . It seemed that most owned unregistered Minis , and they were doing things with them , not just keeping them as pets . Driving seemed to be most popular , followed by some type of therapy work and practicing obstacles or jumping in the back yard . Many expressed interest in open shows for their unregistered Minis and they were encouraged to find existing horse shows in their area and enter the halter and showmanship classes .
Both of Sandy Croote ’ s clinics on Friday were well-attended , the booth seemed quite popular and a lot of potentially useful information was obtained to help promote the breed . Thanks to Equine Affaire for providing this opportunity and to the many volunteers who helped sponsor , set up and take down , provide photos , and spend time in the booth .
Visit : www . equineaffaire . com for information on the 2017 event .
16 Miniature Horse World SPRING 2017