Equestricon Events Revealed

The preliminary lineup of the inaugural Equestricon, scheduled for Aug. 13-15 at the Saratoga Springs City Center, was announced by the organization Monday. Consisting of 45 panels, discussions, events, celebrity appearances, book signings and additional programs, there will also be meet-and-greet sessions, question-and-answer sessions, and autograph signings. Retired announcer Tom Durkin will act as the emcee of Equestricon, as well as taking part in a storytelling session.

“I'm looking forward to sharing some fun stories and playing my part to contribute to Equestricon,” Durkin commented. “I truly expect the entire industry to show up and participate in this vital effort to more closely engage with our fans.”

Topics of the sessions range from popular racing personalities sharing personal insights into their careers, while other storyteller sessions will highlight the work of acclaimed racing photographers, accomplished horseplayers, successful trainers, championship-winning owners and successes in aftercare.

There will also be a heavy emphasis placed on racing media, racetrack marketing, betting technology and the expanded role of social media. Eclipse Award winners Joe Clancy and Donna Brothers are two of several well-respected journalists scheduled to appear.

“We are proud to bring this broad and diverse list of topics to the fans of racing,” said Equestricon Co-Founder Kathryn Sharp. “Our goal is to ensure that attendees of all levels of interest and backgrounds leave the event having grown their appreciation of and love for the sport.”

Making up the bulk of the Sunday schedule will be off-site events, including educational events at a local farm, the Fasig-Tipton sales ground, and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The general session will run Monday and Tuesday.

Ticketing for Equestricon, panel registration and other activities are expected to go live in early February. For more information, or the preliminary event schedule, go to www.equestricon.com.