Sussex, NB – “It was an amazing week-end,” said Ceci Snow, Manager of the Princess Louise Park Show Centre in Sussex, NB. “The Maritime Quarter Horse Association volunteers put a tremendous amount of work into organizing the third annual Equine Review all-breed showcase. It looked like more than 4000 breeders, riders, competitors and horse enthusiasts from throughout the Maritimes visited the Show Centre to watch the demonstrations, tour the stables and commercial exhibits and meet the participating owners, riders, drivers and horses.”
Exact spectator numbers are impossible to determine since the event charges no admission. But, with the excellent weather, packed parking lot and filled spectator seating in the indoor arena, the number of visitors far exceeded previous years.
Beth Upshall, Past President of MQHA and volunteer organizer of Equine Review said “This was our best year yet. The Stallion Parade was great and the Agility Dogs just added to the evening. Spectators and exhibitors alike commented on how nice the booths were this year, the beautiful tack that was for sale, and that there was such a diverse group of exhibitors.”
Stuart Crawford, Manager of Valley Flax from Middleton, NS, was an exhibitor in the trade show. He said “I haven’t seen a facility as nice as this (PLP Show Centre) anywhere east of Ontario.” That comment was seconded by Paul Maguire, President of Can-Am Equine Marketing Inc. of Woodstock, ON. Maguire was also an exhibitor and remarked that “The Centre is a terrific idea. It’s so versatile, multi-functional and very unique. It’s a great asset to the Town (of Sussex), the Province and the region.” For both men it was their first visit to Equine Review, Sussex, NB and the PLP Show Centre. They were pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors to the trade show making their trip to NB very worthwhile.
The two days of the show were jam-packed with activities. All four multi-use buildings were filled with exhibits and stabling. The Arena was in constant use as the site for riding and driving demonstrations showing spectators the multitude of ways that horses can be enjoyed.
Saturday evening’s Stallion Parade and Breed Exhibition played to standing room only! Sponsored by Meadowgate Arabians, the event showcased many of the breeds being raised and used in the Maritimes. Host and announcer, Jim Woodford, kept both the spectators and exhibitors entertained with his lively commentaries.
Karen Thomas, co-owner of Fredericton’s Northstream Tack Shop, exhibitor and MQHA Equine Review volunteer organizer, echoed Upshall’s comments. She said she and the organizing committee were grateful to all of the volunteers who both helped organize, set up and run the event as well as the breeders and owners who exhibited their horses and to the many commercial exhibitors who supported the event and showcased many of the businesses that are involved in and derive their existence from the growing horse industry in the Maritimes.
Sunday’s program featured a series of educational clinics in the Arena while the displays and exhibits remained open for public viewing.
“This is a wonderful ‘Season Opener’ for the Princess Louise Park Show Centre,” said Ralph Cunningham, President of the Centre’s Board of Directors. Throughout the event-filled show season the PLP Show Centre is home to a wide variety of horse shows, cattle and other livestock shows, agricultural exhibits and 4-H events. For 2006 the Centre is almost fully booked with something happening every week-end from now until early October. Admission to most events is free and parking is always plentiful and free. The PLP Show Centre is a terrific destination for family-oriented entertainment.
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For details on the Event Schedule for the PLP Show Centre, please visit our website at:
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