Tickets are already selling briskly for Equine Affaire’s musical celebration of the horse—the Fantasia—which will return to the coliseum of the Ohio Expo Center on April 10-12. For more than 15 years the Fantasia has been a highlight of Equine Affaire in Ohio and an event that has been both the model and trendsetter for other equestrian entertainment events around the nation.
The 2014 Fantasia will provide the perfect ending to a perfect day of learning, shopping and absorbing all things horse-related at Equine Affaire. Equestrian performers will be traveling to Columbus from throughout the United States with horses of a variety of breeds and acts choreographed to musical styles ranging from traditional and country to classical and contemporary. As veteran Fantasia-goers have come to expect, the show will highlight the brilliance, grace, and athleticism of horses and demonstrate the spirit, willingness, and intelligence that horse people cherish most in their equine companions.
“The Fantasia is always a special opportunity to see some incredible horses and riders and witness some unforgettable performances,” said Eugenia Snyder, President of Equine Affaire. “In addition to enjoying the beauty and excitement of the various performances that make up the show, we have to marvel at the range of skills that horses possess, their extraordinary trainability, and their willingness to perform and excel in so many ways. The Fantasia is much more than equestrian entertainment—it’s truly a testament to the heart and soul of the amazing animals we love.”
The program for the 2014 Fantasia will include several of the most popular elements and disciplines featured at previous shows, including freestyle reining and dressage, Roman riding, liberty acts and drill team routines. This year’s Fantasia will include performances that will cover the emotional gamut from the dramatic to the comedic, and Fantasia-goers can be prepared to be “moved,” amazed and made to laugh.
Among the headliners for the 2014 Fantasia are two of the top liberty horse trainers in the business:
Guy McLean and Tommie Turvey Guy McLean will present his “signature” four-horse liberty act which really must be seen to be believed—while Tommie Turvey will Roman ride a team of horses over a fire jump and engage his infamous paint horse, Poker Joe, in a battle of the wits.
Other performers slated for the show include the award-winning Canadian Cowgirls drill team, Christine Drentwett and Caroline Williams (who will perform a garrocha pas de deux), Jeff Wilson presenting cowboy dressage aboard his exquisite Morgan stallion, Delview Catskill Valiant, and a host of other distinguished riders and handlers and unforgettable horses both large and small. The 2014 Fantasia will be a show that horse-loving Fantasia goers won’t soon forget.
The 2014 Fantasia is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Buckeye Nutrition, a leading manufacturer of premium equine nutritional products. The doors to the Ohio Expo Center coliseum will open for the Fantasia at 7:00 each evening and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $12 to $25 plus shipping and handling. Advance tickets may be purchased through March 31 online with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) at www.equineaffaire.com or by calling 740-845-0085. Because of the event’s popularity, most tickets for the performances will sell out in advance. Any tickets not sold in advance will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, at the Information Booth in the Bricker Building at Equine Affaire.
Equine Affaire will take place April 10-13 at the Ohio Expo Center and offer an unparalleled program of clinics, seminars and demonstrations; the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition; a Youth Pavilion; a Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits; the Marketplace consignment area; a new Hobby Farms Pavilion; and the largest horse-related trade show in the nation. Show hours will be 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Sunday. General admission tickets include access to all clinics, seminars, and demos as well as the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition and are priced as follows: Adults: $15/day or $50/four-day pass; Children 7–10: $8/day or $28/four-day pass; Children 6 and under are Free. Tickets for both the Fantasia and Equine Affaire can be purchased by calling 740-845-0085 weekdays from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern or by visiting www.equineaffaire.com. The Ohio Expo Center will charge for parking.
