Horse Showcase 2006 Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Exclusive to Alberta Equine… On-Line

June 1, 2006

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Sherwood Park, AB --- 7 photos included! Sunday, May 28, 2006 marked the third annual Horse Showcase at the Strathcona Olympiette Centre in Sherwood Park, Alberta. This is a perfect event to show off the incredible variety of equine talent available in Alberta…and beyond. It was not only a superb free day for families to enjoy, but also an opportunity for all to educate themselves about horses and horse related activities.

The morning program started with the Parade of Breeds, where more than 20 equine breeds delighted spectators as their riders put them through their paces. From the miniature horses pulling pint-sized carriages, to the elegant Morgans and the powerful heavy horses, there were animals to appeal to every taste on display.

Throughout the day there were demonstrations on riding styles and techniques, and this year also featured the Speakers Corner, where eight expert guests spoke upon a wide range of equine related topics, such as yoga for horse riders, avoiding the ‘top 10 horse buying mistakes’, hoof and leg bandaging, (featuring the ever useful duct tape!), as well as custom made blankets, horse first aid kits, how to take a horse’s pulse and temperature, relating to your horse, and a horse chiropractic clinic.

Apart from these activities, more than 40 vendors were offering all kinds of products and services, and the U.F.A. 'Kids Korral' was provided for children attending the event who were not that familiar with horses; here, they learned how to saddle a horse and how to interact with them safely. There were also several craft activities at the Kids Craft Corner offered by the A.V.M.A. “How much time is left?” one young girl anxiously asked another as they left the craft area carrying little wooden horses that they had painted. “It’s only noon”, replied her friend. “Oh great!” When asked if they were enjoying the day, they both had the same reply… “Awesome!”

“I am thrilled with the response”, said Donna Rae Coatta, who co-chaired the event with event founder Karen Zelt. “We wanted to provide a positive experience for all of the horse owners and the horse lovers, but our main mission is to educate the public and to bring all the horse clubs together, so that we’re all working for the good of the horse.”

The Horse Showcase 2006 mission extended to help several non-profit groups as well. With the backing of six sponsors, Northlands, the Alberta Equestrian Federation, Graham Construction and Engineering Inc., the United Farmers of Alberta, the Horse Industry Association of Alberta and the Alberta Veterinarian Medical Association, the event was able to give back to the community by providing a fundraising venue for three unique organizations.

Coatta explained how they were able to help; “We were so blessed with our sponsors this year – they went above and beyond...allowing us to help three non-profit groups - without them, we could not have done it!” Having generous sponsors plus the revenue from all the booths in the Strathcona Olympiette Centre, Coatta and her team were able to donate three fundraising venues to deserving organizations chosen by the Showcase committee from proposals submitted before the event.

Selected were the Bremner 4H Light Horse Club, Dreamcatchers and Hearts and Hooves. The Bremner 4H Light Horse Club not only put on a musical ride, but also was able to run the concession stand as the fundraiser for their club. Kathy Jorden spoke for the group. “We’re hoping that lots of people come for the day, so that we can really support our club. Our kids love to come, and we have a good core group of parents that have all pitched in to help.” Dreamcatchers, a charitable association that combines caring for rescue animals with individual and group therapy, all set in a natural environment, ran the 50/50 raffle. Therapist Eileen Bona explained that she hoped to raise money for families in crisis.

Hearts and Hooves were awarded the Silent Auction. Their non-profit group also rescues “As many animals as possible”, according to spokesperson Leslie Kjenner. Hearts and Hooves rescues miniature horses, and they take their animals to visit old age homes and hospitals, as well finding good homes for the horses. “We’re not a petting zoo”, says Kjenner, “We’re trying to help people and the horses because there’s so many to look after. We have a great group of volunteers, and so much heart goes into what we do.” Buddy, Ramsey and Roxy, three of the miniature horses, were all painted in exotic colours, and were a real hit with the visitors.

The event-filled day continued with a Discipline Showcase, demonstrating how horses are trained for equine sport. After this event, the Heavy Horse Presentation showed the crowd that it is possible to be big, powerful and graceful as drivers put the animals through their paces. Later that day, after the Rafter Diamond 4H Club put on a show, spectators were treated to a fun event with the Alberta North Region Canadian Pony Club. “This is an excellent place to showcase the Prince Philip games”, said spokesperson and organizer Jane Goodliffe. “We have 20 riders from all over northern Alberta, and with the games, there’s lots of action, and the riders and spectators really enjoy it.” The Prince Philip Games or PPG is a program of teams of riders doing relay type or gymkhana games on horseback. “ It’s a crowd pleasing activity”, says Goodliffe, “we use inexpensive and easy to use equipment, yet riders who participate learn so much, they can deal with anything and mainly, it’s such fun!”

All in all, the third annual Horse Showcase 2006 was a really enjoyable and well-attended event. “We have amazing people helping us to make this a success,” says Coatta, summing up the event. “I’m so impressed with the work our volunteers did to make this a success, and the sponsors were so terrific – it really proves that horse people can work together!”

If you’d like to help make Horse Showcase 2007 even more of a success, make sure to check out our special advertising days June 16 and 17, 2006. Alberta Equine… On-Line is pledging 10% of our advertising revenues towards Horse Showcase 2007!

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