Equine Canada, Jump Canada, and the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association
Photos courtesy of Shoot Photographic
Building on a successful 2007
Niagara
Equestrian Festival is scheduled for July 9-13, 2008
A"Gold"
show, Niagara Equestrian Festival (NEF) is approved by
Equine Canada, Jump Canada, and the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association
Photos courtesy of Shoot Photographic
Show
Grounds
Niagara Equestrian Festival is held on approximately 35 acres within the even
more expansive Commons area of Historical Fort George, located in the very beautiful
and charming historic Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), Ontario. The specific site
is known as the Polo Grounds.
Footing is thick, established turf over sand/sandy loam. An extensive amount of sand, advised ranging from 6 inches to 3 feet in the area of the show rings, was added during leveling to prepare the area for charity polo matches held in past years.
We cannot control the weather, but we will manage what it brings our way. Feedback on the show ground footing has generally been positive due to the underlying sand and mature turf. However, we are taking additional steps in 2008 in case it is another drought type year like 2007. In 2008, we will have on hand irrigation equipment (water guns) which will be serviced by hoses and pipe from the hydrants running along the show grounds. This will allow us to be in a position to more liberally soak the ground as needed before and during the show vs. the water trucks used previously, to ensure the ground does not get too firm and continues to provide a good cushion for jumping. Our July date is chosen to minimize the likelihood of rain, although, the footing has held up well during heavy rainfalls at times during 2006 and 2007. A contingency plan is in place involving extra large rings that offer a wide choice for jump placement should jumps need moving, plus extra room for flat classes around hunter jumps, if rain arrives. As well, there is on hand additional sand as needed, to maximize footing for all competitors and classes.
Initiatives to enhance the very beautiful natural setting include tents, attractive ring fencing, quality jump material, and other infra structure facilities appropriate for a quality “A” level horse show. Click here to view the Show Grounds Map
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AgraTurf
Equipment Services Inc. Full
service John Deere equipment dealership. |
Area
Once awarded the distinction of prettiest town in Canada, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Region has much to offer competitors and your supporters to make this more than just another horse show. Enjoy a quality horse show, plus to take advantage of all the Niagara region has to offer as a mini-vacation within the horse show season. Attractions range from a very charming historical town with multiple quaint inns and other accommodation to choose from, excellent restaurants, and many attractions. Find more information about the area and attractions via links available on this web site, plan your Niagara vacation for the horse show, and bring your horses. Click here to find More Area Information & Photos and here for Area Attractions Info
Schedule
With reference to the Show
Schedule Wednesday has been added in 2008 to alleviate the later days experienced
in 2007.
The show will be offering Jumper classes, Open and Junior/Amateur, ranging from 0.90m/3’0” to 1.25m/4’1” each day, to provide a wide range of choice. Separate Jr/Am divisions at 1.10m and 1.20m have been added in 2008. The wide range of choice is ideal for bringing along horses and riders to prepare them for the "Super Sunday" Jumper Classics beginning with the $350 Jr/Am 0.90m up to the $ 2,500 Niagara Pro-Jr/Am 1.10/1.15m Jumper Classic, and $5,000 Niagara Pro-Jr/Am 1.20/1.25m Jumper Classic.
For the pony riders, "Dominion Regalia Pony Power Day" is back including the OHJA Pony Power Series Classes, stake classes for all pony divisions, plus the $1,200 Dominion Regalia Pony Hunter Classic, and Dominion Regalia Grand Champion Pony Hunter award. There will also be a Pony Jumper Division, Pony Jumper Medal and a Champion Pony Medal Rider award.
The Schedule offers many Equitation and Medal choices, Hunter and Jumper, including the Rider's Habit/Grand Prix Hunter Medal Series, continuing the Champion Medal Rider awards presented by Shoot Photographic and Equestrian Factory Outlet's Guleph area store for Pony Riders, Childrens, Juniors and Amateurs based on best combined points from Hunter and Jumper Medals, and the "Greenhawk Equitation Championship Series" for Equitation Champions from best combined points from flat and over fences classes.
Don't miss the hospitality events including a Smoothy Hour courtesy of Dominion Regalia and Niagara Equestrian Festival on Dominion Regalia Pony Power Day, and a Pancake Breakfast with fresh Niagara fruit Sunday morning courtesy of Vintage Hotels and Niagara Equestrian Festival.
For Hunters, there is a full slate of divisions from Short Stirrup and Long Stirrup to Combined Hunters. New in 2008 is the $2,000 Vintage Hotels Open Hunter Classic, plus Grand Champion Open Hunter and Pro-Bonus Awards given out on Thursday. There is also "Vintage Hotels Super Sunday" with Stake classes, a show ending $2,000 Vintage Hotels Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic and Grand Hunter Champions.
You will find more on the show, the classes, and awards, in the Prize List. The Prize List is available on this website or you may arrange a printed version by mail using ContactUs. Updates will be posted regularly on the website News & Updates page so check it regularly plus note the terrific list of prizes we are lining up for award winners. Also, in the prize list note your options for making entries, including directly from this website, and payment by Visa or Mastercard should you wish.
Show Management and Officials
We
have put together another excellent team of professional officials for 2008.
Top Hunter Judges are attending, Peggy Beachy from Kentucky, Mark Frohm from
New York, and Janet Dwyer from Ontario, who each have many years of judging
experience. Brian Doherty and Mike Giovinazo are joining us as the Hunter and
Equitation Course Designers. Our Jumper Ring has the experienced Graeme Nicholson
and Alexandra Drillis returning for the Jumper Jury, and popular Hector Loyola,
from Puerto Rico returns as our Course Designer.
The show is headed up by the undersigned, Rob Robertson, a long time competitor
in the jumper ring competing up to the Modified Grand Prix level in years past,
but now enjoying lower Jumper classes when available. An experienced Course
Designer with Senior level Hunter and Jumper cards for Equine Canada, and a
USEF "R" Jumper designation, I have course designed for EMG at Palgrave,
Thunderbird Show Park in BC, HITS in New York and California, plus for many
other horse shows in Ontario, Alberta, Florida, Connecticut, Virginia, and recently
Colorado. As much as I enjoy course designing it is also an opportunity to learn
about other ideas for organizing a successful show.
It was encouraging to see the 150% growth in entries to almost 400 horses in our second year (2007) after our inaugural year in 2006. It did cause some growing pains and we are taking steps to strengthen the weaker areas of our operation. I look forward to finding ways to further improve the show experience for all our continuing and future competitors, and their supporters.
Enjoy the Show!
Rob
R.J. Robertson Show Manager, Niagara Equestrian Festival