EUGENIA SNYDER

Eugenia Snyder is the founder and President of Equine Affaire, Inc. and serves as Executive Producer of all Equine Affaire expositions.  She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from St. Lawrence University in 1974 where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She subsequently pursued her doctorate in psychology at the University of Maryland while working as a research assistant in avian communication at the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. Eugenia's professional career has been quite diverse and has included working as a statistical analyst for a prominent Washington law firm, writing as a freelance journalist, providing marketing services for a variety of clients, working in the printing industry, and developing and producing a major traditional music festival. She has had a passion for and been involved with horses all of her life and had the privilege of enjoying a wide variety of horse breeds and disciplines. Her most recent equestrian accomplishments include training and showing Arabian horses to multiple regional and national titles including two Legion of Honor awards and one Legion of Supreme Honor.

TERRI L. SHARP

Terri Sharp joined Equine Affaire in July of 1997. As Vice President of Equine Affaire, Inc., she leads the event production and trade show teams, coordinates the sponsorship program, and serves as Office Manager of the corporate office. Terri came to Equine Affaire with a strong equestrian and management background having attended the University of Findlay's Equestrian Studies program and having been employed for several years in the equine industry. In addition, she served on the Board of the National Reining Horse Association and for more than ten years was involved in all aspects of the production of NRHA's major events. After enjoying showing and training horses in multiple disciplines for more than fifteen years, Terri now trains and competes in the sport of dog agility with her double-registered Australian Shepherds. When not conducting Equine Affaire business or competing, Terri and her husband breed and raise reining horses and Longhorn cattle on their farm.

DEBBIE PUTNAM

Debbie Putnam is the Breed Coordinator for the Equine Affaires in Ohio, Massachusetts, and California, for which she develops the Breed Pavilion and coordinates the breed demonstrations scheduled throughout each of these events. In addition, she coordinates the Horse & Farm Exhibits areas at both the Ohio and Massachusetts expositions. As a member of the Pfizer Fantasia production team, she solicits and organizes the breed-related performances included in the special evening shows in Ohio and Massachusetts. Debbie received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from St. Lawrence University in 1974 and was subsequently employed in various positions within the banking and retail industries. She has been involved with horses throughout her life—from riding with her family as a child growing up in southern California, to riding on a regular basis at St. Lawrence University’s equestrian facility, to pleasure riding “cross country” during a four-year residence in Galway, Ireland. She has been a valued member of the Equine Affaire production team since 1995.

JEAN WILSON

Jean Wilson joined Equine Affaire’s Trade Show staff in September of 2002. She currently serves as Trade Show Production Manager handling production aspects of the trade show at all Equine Affaire events. Additionally, Jean works closely with commercial exhibitors while coordinating the trade show at the Massachusetts and Ohio expositions. Before coming to Equine Affaire, Inc., she worked in management at Stanley Electric U.S. Company, Inc., a supplier for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Jean has a strong agricultural background, raising Simmental cattle and founding STS Cattle Company with her brother. She currently owns a farm in London, OH, where she and her family raise horses for barrel racing and other rodeo competitions, breed and raise Australian shepherds, and raise cattle for 4-H and open shows. Jean is not only an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association, the National Barrel Horse Association, and the Ohio Girls Barrel Racing Association, but is also an avid competitor in the sports of team roping, breakaway roping, and barrel racing. 

BRIANNE A. MATHEWS
Brianne Mathews joined Equine Affaire, Inc. as a Trade Show Associate in August of 2007. Her responsibilities include working with commercial exhibitors involved in the Massachusetts, California, and Ohio events. She is a proud Buckeye and recent alumna of The Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Agribusiness & Applied Economics. Brianne was President of the OSU Horsemen's Association, where she led the club throughout many projects and activities, including volunteering at Equine Affaire and working at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. She was also a member of The Ohio State Equestrian Team and participated in intercollegiate horse judging contests. Brianne was very involved in 4-H as a youth, and still volunteers at both the county and state level. In addition, she currently serves on the Ohio State Buckskin Association Board of Directors. Brianne and her home-bred gelding, Gimmethebigbucks ("Cash"), compete at International Buckskin Horse Association and open shows in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana in amateur all-around events.

COAGI A. LONG

Coagi Long joined Equine Affaire, Inc. in July of 2003 as a member of the Marketing Department, where she facilitated numerous promotional projects. She currently serves as Program Director, coordinating the full schedule of presentations at each Equine Affaire event.  In addition, Coagi contributes to the company’s Web site as a member of the Web design team and by maintaining pages detailing the event’s educational content on the site. Coagi graduated summa cum laude from The University of Findlay, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in marketing and equestrian studies and a minor in operations and logistics management. With a love for riding and training since her early childhood, she has primarily concentrated on dressage and hunt seat. Throughout college she earned several awards including three consecutive Intercollegiate Hunt Seat National Championship titles and was the 2003 Intercollegiate Dressage Association Reserve National Champion. Coagi is a member of the United States Dressage Federation and the United States Equestrian Federation. She continues to pursue her competitive career in dressage, and trains and breeds Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds at her farm in West Mansfield, OH.

NICOLE TAYLOR
Nicole Taylor joined Equine Affaire in August of 2007 as a Marketing & Program Assistant. For the Marketing Department, she manages the distribution of Equine Affaire flyers to farms, associations, and events in each Equine Affaire region. For the Program Department, she facilitates communications with educational presenters and Pfizer Fantasia performers and oversees the application process for the Ride With The Best program at all three Equine Affaires. In addition, Nicole serves as the leader for the Web site’s technical development team and contributes content updates for Equine Affaire’s Web site. Nicole is a recent graduate of The University of Findlay where she earned dual majors in Equine Business Management and Equestrian Studies with an emphasis on Hunt Seat, as well as an Associate’s degree in Accounting. Throughout college she assisted various 4-H groups in her hometown of Springfield, OH, and enjoyed working for a veterinary practice. She is currently in the process of becoming a 4-H Advisor for horse projects. Nicole owns several horses including Warmbloods and a Connemara Pony that she uses to teach lessons and breed Pinto Warmbloods. She also retrains Thoroughbred ex-racehorses for careers in dressage, hunters, jumpers, or eventing. Nicole is a member of the Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association, the Oldenburg Registry of North America, the Oldenburg Horse Breeders’ Society, and the United States Equestrian Federation.

JANICE P. ABATE

Janice Abate began work in the Promotions Department of Equine Affaire in January of 2000.  She now serves as Marketing Manager coordinating the various marketing projects for the events. Janice graduated summa cum laude from Salem-Teikyo University in Salem, WV, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in equine careers and industry management. Having a reverence for horses for as long as she can remember, Janice learned about horsemanship primarily in theory until she joined the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team at Seton Hill College. She continued competing in the IHSA program at S-TU and was an officer and active member in various organizations. Her professional endeavors have taken her from horsemanship instruction in the Pocono Mountains, to work at a large breeding operation in Lexington, KY, to positions with an accounting firm and port authority in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a member of the American Paint Horse Association, and enjoys learning from her Paint mare.

KARIN E. BRENNAN

Karin Brennan, who joined Equine Affaire in April of 2002, and as the Youth Programs & Advertising Coordinator she currently coordinates the Youth Pavilion, Celebrity Horse Showcase, and Horse Judging Contests for Equine Affaire. She also manages advertising sales in Equine Affaire's official event programs, coordinates the advertising schedule, and assists in other promotional capacities—including updating content on the company’s Web site. Karin earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University with a major in animal science and a minor in agribusiness. During her years at OSU she served as Vice President of the Horsemen's Association, was a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Judging Team, and competed on The Ohio State Equestrian Team-all while she worked in the equine retail industry. Before joining Equine Affaire, Inc., Karin put her business background to use as a Human Resources Assistant at Capitol Manufacturing in West Jefferson, Ohio. Growing up in a military family, she first began her career with horses in South Dakota. In her spare time Karin actively shows her paint/pinto gelding, Watch Me From Jafar, that has recently garnered many regional and national awards. Karin is a current member of the American Paint Horse Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc., and the American Quarter Horse Association.

LORI B. HELSEL
Lori Helsel began working at Equine Affaire, Inc. as the Marketing & Raffle Coordinator in August of 2007. She brought with her more than 18 years of professional experience providing administrative support on various government and commercial projects. Her most recent prior position was with Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH, where her responsibilities included supporting multi-million dollar programs. Lori currently oversees the Equine Affaire Raffle and Distribution Areas at all three annual expositions, manages email campaigns for the company’s various departments, and assists with the attendee mailing list. As a life-long horse lover, Lori and her husband currently own three Quarter Horses and a Paint gelding. She enjoys pleasure and trail riding and also supports her daughter’s
4-H and open horse show activities. Lori is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Ohio Horseman’s Council.

MELISSA S. RUPPERT

Melissa Ruppert joined Equine Affaire’s Trade Show Department in March of 2005. She currently serves as Volunteer, Travel & Hospitality Coordinator, scheduling and working with the extensive group of volunteers at each Equine Affaire. As a member of the Attendee Services Department, her responsibilities also include coordinating travel arrangements, hospitality, and the Diner’s Guide, as well as assisting with ticket sales and Equine Affaire Host Hotel relations. Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University with a major in Mass Communications and Social Issues. During her years at OSU, she was an active promoter of the Pork Industry and coordinated her county’s annual banquet and queen’s pageant for more than five years. Before joining Equine Affaire, Melissa completed several internships at companies including Clear Channel, United Way, and America Online. She began showing horses at a young age through 4-H and continues to ride in her spare time. She also announces horse shows at venues throughout the state for several associations. Melissa and her family currently operate a hog and horse farm and are actively involved in the Ohio Girls Barrel Racing Association and International Barrel Racing Association.