Photos courtesy Equine Affaire
Take a state fairgrounds. Add experts running several tracks of programs. Present exhibitions. Include a building full of breed group information.
And have three exhibit halls full of sales booths of horse-related items ranging from gourmet chocolates to horse trailers.
A Giant Horsey Mall
Welcome to Equine Affaire, the traveling trade show that stops every year in California, Ohio and Massachusetts.
On Nov. 13 – 16, Equine Affaire stops at the Eastern States Exhibition grounds, also known as “The Big E” in W. Springfield, Massachusetts. The Big E is where the New England states holds their group state fair every September.
But for one weekend in November, it’s all horses, all the time. And all the stuff they need.
Or all the stuff you need. Or want. Or dream of having. Or never thought of having until you see it and then you have to have it.
So, if you’re shopping for horsey gifts for the horse crazy, here’s where you can do lots of one-stop shopping.
On items for which there’s lots of competition, like boots, saddles, blankets, etc., you can find good deals here. If you live in the northeastern United States, your tack shop may even have a booth here.
As a result, Equine Affaire is so big that you need to think strategically, especially if you’re only going for one day.
Worth the Drive
Equine Affaire is worth a two or three hour drive to West Springfield. Food is on the premises, both in a sit-down restaurant, which is usually packed, and some outdoor fair booths.
Gourmet chocolate candies
If you plan to go, you need to go to the website to look over the vendors and the schedule of clinicians. See where they are located on each building’s floor plan. Note appearance times, if applicable. Then, just dive in.
If you don’t have time to look over the site or enjoy being more spontaneous, prepare to be wowed or even overwhelmed.
Quick tips
To shop – head for the Better Living Center, the Young Building and the Mallary Complex.
The Better Living Center and the Young Building both are a horsey shopper’s bonanza filled with rows of booths for all sorts of horse-related items.
Shopper’s comfort note - The Young Building has a couple of indoor picnic tables down at the end towards the Stroh building. 
Another shopper’s comfort note: All buildings include restrooms with flush toilets. Even C-Barn, where the participating horses are stabled.
The Mallary Building has a smaller selection of booths and is where the horse trailers and pickup trucks are lined up. Mallary is also the site of two clinic venues.
If you’re super short on time – You’ll see a cross section of things if you just stick to Mallary, but you’ll miss a lot if you only stay in the Mallary Complex. Plus, you won’t be able to comparison shop as much.
Breed organization gift shops – go to the Stroh Building for each breed organization’s booth. Some have gift shops, like the Morgan booth.
And don’t forget the outdoor booths, usually displaying outdoor sculptures or out-buildings, like stalls and sheds. You’ll find them on the way in through the entrance gate and outside by the food court.
Will I be there? Ordinarily, yes, for a day or two as another wide-eyed visitor. But I have a scheduling conflict for that weekend. More about that in a few weeks.
A big “Thank You” to Equine Affaire for the great photos!
Tags: equestrian gifts, Equine Affaire, The Big E
2 Responses to “Holiday Shopping at the Massachusetts Equine Affaire”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Reply