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The Big E is Calling You To Come Back!

Every year there are a few Horse Shows that many of us here in the Northeast cherish which face jeopardy from lack of support, this year is no exception. This season, the threat of extinction is being laid at the feet of the The Big E or as it is formally called, the historical Eastern States Exhibition Horse Show. Ironically, the shows to which I am referring that are always on the firing line, happen to be the largest public showcases of the Saddlehorse Breeds as well as the Saddleseat discipline in the Northeast. Sadly, one of the these venues, The Pennsylvania National Horse Show, has already dumped the Saddlebred contingency from it's roster. Recently Devon has been the Horse Show that has required a little life support, but last year as a result of a superhuman effort, there were great numbers (17 in the show Pleasure Championship) and a generous anonymous gift dedicated to the 3-gaited Saddlebred. This show has been granted a reprieve.

The showcase in jeopardy this season is my all time favorite the Big E. Because of apparently unforeseen scheduling conflicts, The Big E shares a weekend with ASHAV and a local favorite, and I stress "local", the Deerfield Fair. This unfortunate occurrence is a dark cloud over the attendance numbers for the Big E.

The Eastern States Horse Show is surrounded by the charming New England State Fair. The crowds are friendly, the food is uncommonly appealing and the rides are in good order at this festive event. Parades march along the avenue and wind throughout the grounds, right before sunset the children run to catch the beads that are thrown from each float. It is a simply magical Mardi-Gras like atmosphere. The weekend brings free concerts that always feature a popular band as a headliner and in the evenings there are fireworks, an excellent respite for horse show exhibitors in between sessions or after hours. Every class at the Big E holds endless fascination to the audience. The fairgoers, though restricted from the stabling area are able to view the entire show and they do. There is something wonderful about strangers applauding wildly while they watch our magnificent horses! Nonetheless, exhibitors and the show barns they belong to continue to abandon the historical venues in the Northeast and choose the "new " horse show venues. Many of the new shows take place in empty cavernous arenas in the middle of nowhere. The exhibitors often end up showing against their stablemates in a spectatorless show ring and may even eventually tire of that.

My plea is that everyone who can support the Big E will. I for one will bring every viable horse in my barn! Will we watch as the traditional shows in the most public venues eventually go the way of Harrisburg's Penn National , and all we can do is mourn their passing? I sincerely hope that this is not the end for The Big E or Devon for that matter. Let's make sure this does not happen, return to those venues where our beloved breed can get the exposure in the Northeast we need and have had in the past: try to reverse the bleak outlook that is impending for the Northeast beginning with encouraging everyone to put the Big E back on their calendar. The purpose of a horse show is to nurture the growth of the breed and without newcomers, we cannot expect to survive.

My story is not typical but it should be. About 20 years ago, I was living a horseless existence in Philadelphia. I heard about the Saddlebreds at Devon on ESPN. I took a train out to Devon with a check and walked right up to a Saddlebred Trainer at the show. He said he was busy at the moment but I pursued it and not only quickly got a top pleasure horse and was also properly outfitted by Carl Meyers for that money! I had a good run with my horse in the Northeast winning in 20 plus horse classes. This scenario is one that we should all strive to perpetuate. That encounter led to the fact that today I have an 18 horse private show barn and both of my children ride and compete. However, when we show in a class, entries have often dwindled regardless of the fact that the quality is very high. I am anxious when I see everyone trucking to Virginia and farther South with their New England horses. Please let us revisit our venues as well as those in the South, and help take advantage of the public exposure before it is too late.

The Big E was one of the very finest experiences we had as a family and a stable last year. Everything from the pomp and circumstance of the NEHC Equitation Finals, to the spectators jammed three deep on the rail and in the seats, made for a bittersweet memory. The sunset parades, fireworks, concerts and even the food from the Fair were unforgettable. The Big E has been a jewel in the crown of the Northeast for so many years. Let us bring it back to it's former numbers.The show management has made many concessions to ensure that the inconveniences regarding the Fair are minimized and that you will experience a first rate affair.

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