What you need to know about applying for and riding in a clinic at Equine Affaire...

1.   Clinics are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of horsemen and women.  While clinicians for some clinics are seeking equestrian competitors with specific skills, others are seeking any riders interested in improving their relationships with their horses.  Each clinician has specific ideas about the horses and/or riders he/she would like to use to demonstrate a particular skill or training process.  Do not hesitate to apply because you think that you might not be selected.  You might be just what the clinician has in mind!  If you are not selected as a participant, we encourage you to come and learn by attending the clinic as a spectator.  Everyone will benefit from the experience.

2.   A fee is charged for each clinic.  The clinic fee includes general admission to Equine Affaire on the day of the clinic(s) for the rider/handler and 24 hours of stabling (either the night before or the night of the clinic(s)) for the horse.  Participants in two-day clinics receive general admission to Equine Affaire on both clinic days and 48 hours of stabling.  If stalls are available, additional nights of stabling may be purchased.  Participants are responsible for bringing or purchasing their own feed and bedding.  (Straw and shavings may be purchased on site.)  Clinic fees must accompany all applications.  Anyone applying for more than one clinic should write a separate check for each clinic.  Please make checks payable to Equine Affaire, Inc.  All checks will be held until clinic participant selections are made and confirmed. Exhibitors already contracted to exhibit in the Breed Pavilion or Horse & Farm Exhibits may discount the clinic fees by 50%, but they will not receive complimentary admission or stabling. Clinic fees of accepted clinic participants are non-refundable. 

3.   To be considered to ride in many of the clinics, you must submit a video with your completed application and clinic fee.  This video must show you and your horse either in competition or in training as requested in the clinic descriptions.  The clinician will use the video to evaluate you and your horse.  All videos must be standard DVD or VHS format.   If you send a smaller sized video camera tape, you must submit it with a VHS adapter tape or your application will not be considered.  Videos should be marked with your name.  Videos will may not be returned .   *YOU MUST SUBMIT ONE TAPE PER CLINICIAN.*

4.  The clinics at Equine Affaire offer a unique and invaluable opportunity to "ride with the best"; however, you should be aware that the clinics will be conducted in large arenas where there are likely to be large crowds in attendance.  Opportunities to warm up in the actual clinic arenas may not be available.  If you and/or your horse cannot function well in such an environment, we cannot encourage you to apply.

We anticipate a large number of applicants for most clinics. We wish we could accommodate everyone who is interested in participating.  It is important to keep in mind that the clinics are designed for the benefit of spectators as well as the actual participants. If you are not selected as a participant, we encourage you to come and learn by attending the clinic as a spectator. Everyone will benefit a great deal from the experience.

Vet requirements

• All horse owners will be expected to present the required health papers to the show veterinarian upon check in. The veterinarian will be stationed in the Coly Corner restaurant in the southwest corner of the Coliseum, right across from C-Barn.
  
• Every horse transported to the show must be accompanied by a negative test result for equine infectious anemia (Coggins Test) dated within one year of November 16, 2008, and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health papers) dated January 1, 2008, or later if travelling from within the state of Massachusetts or within 30 days of the date on which the horse arrives at the event if travelling from outside the state of Massachusetts.
  
• All horses brought to Equine Affaire are expected to be free of illness and infectious disease.  While not required, it is strongly recommended that all equines be vaccinated for rabies, tetanus and EEE within one year of the event.
  
• If equine is traveling from within 30 miles of an identified case of Vesicular Stomatitis those animals may not enter the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  If the equine is traveling from the state of an identified case but more than 30 miles from it/them their health certificates must contain the following statement:  "Vesicular Stomatitis Statement:  Animals on this Health Certificate do not show symptoms of Vesicular Stomatitis, have not been exposed to Vesicular Stomatitis positive animals, and are not from a 30-mile radius that includes a positive Vesicular Stomatitis case."