We’re ready for the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show!
Monday October 25, 2010
Last year, it was our first time at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. As a trade stand vendor, we always thought that 11 days indoors would fry our brains but boy, were we pleasantly surprised. With everything going on, it went by very quickly and now, the Royal figures at the top of our “horse show” destinations.
For those not familiar with “the Royal”, it combines what you would normally find in a normal indoor hunter/jumper horse show plus Grand Prix dressage, driving, rodeo, indoor eventing, exhibitions, friesians, pageantry, learning demonstrations and everything in between. Add to that a mega shopping area and an agricultural show (as in cows, chickens and giant pumpkins!) and it becomes heaven on earth for horse lovers and the perfect place to bring non-horsie friends.
At the core of the horse show are the invitational hunter/jumper classes, where the top riders in the country face off for the championship title in each division. Qualifying for the Royal is an achievement in itself but riding in that main ring under the lights and the atmosphere, makes it very special indeed.
McLain Ward helps USA win Team Challenge
Sinead Halpin riding in the Indoor Eventing Class
Ashley Holzer and Pop Art winning the Grand Prix Freestyle
Winning ride of the Canine Equine Challenge (Hoof and Woof!)
Here is the 2009 ad for the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show: