An Equine Affair      

By Kathryn Brim, Editor

After many months of an exceptionally cold Colorado winter, the warm California sunshine that accompanied Pomona’s 2008 Equine Affair was a refreshing change. The event was pretty awesome, too.

Packed full of vendors, famous horses and horse people, eager equine enthusiasts, and horses of every size, make and color, there was most definitely something for everyone. You name it, it was there. The latest and greatest in equine ingenuity littered the exhibition halls – including everything from ground breaking nutritional additives to a state of the art pitch fork complete with battery operated vibration and blowing fan to ensure manure was the only thing going in your wheelbarrow. What else could you ask for?

The highlight of my trip was the hour or so I spent observing a Monty Roberts’ demonstration in which he worked with a variety “troubled” horses. Unlike many horse people, I am not a loyal follower of any one trainer’s methods. But, watching this man - who is easily my grandfather’s age – show his stuff and woo the rather large crowd was pretty fun. Plus, the guy is surprisingly hilarious, and given his numerous world titles (9 to be exact) and enormous successes within the industry, you can't say he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Roberts’ famous mustang, Shy Boy, was also there, along with a variety of other well known horses all on display in the “Breed Pavilion.” Friesians, Miniatures, and even my childhood favorite, the colorful Knabstrupper, lined the halls for visitors to admire. And admired they were. Appearances and demonstrations were also made by Craig Cameron, Richard Shrake, Stacy Westfall, Linda Allen and many other well respected equine professionals.

Although initially the $15 entry fee seemed a little steep, in the end I know it was worth it. Whether or not you are a die hard horse fan, or simply looking for a new saddle pad, events like the Equine Affair are worth your time. Bring the kids, or grandkids, or simply make it a day out with the girls. Either way, at least you’ll get some good exercise perusing the many acres of vendors and horse barns. Hey, you might even learn a thing or two!

Dear Kathryn,
Thank you for sharing the news of terrific events like Equine Affaire. Monty and his team had alot of fun sharing the wonderful horses with the equine enthusiasts that were there - like you!
Debbie