The first weekend in November promises to be the best opportunity yet to see North America’s top horsemen all together in one location at Farmfair International.
For the second year in a row, Northlands in Edmonton is bringing together horse experts from across Canada and the U.S. for a series of equine seminars and sessions on November 2 to 4. John Lyons of Colorado, will be featured among the clinicians offering insights and tips to Farmfair guests.
Beyond the seminar series, Canada’s top horsemen will saddle up to compete against each other as part of the Working Cow Horse and Heritage Ranch Rodeo competitions from November 4 to 6.
“This is one of the best seminar series of its kind in North America, bringing together the biggest names in the industry,” says Doug Beinert, Northlands volunteer Farmfair International committee chair. “It’s a truly remarkable chance for horsemen to see all these incredible people in one place.”
Farmfair equine seminars and clinics pack 17 separate sessions into a three-day period November 2 to 4, all held onsite at Northlands AgriCom. The sessions range from topics such as what to look for when buying horses, to emergency care of horses or equine therapy. Clinic information and three-day seminar passes are available online at www.farmfairinternational.com.
“No matter how you’re involved with horses, you’ll find something of interest on this opening weekend,” says Beinert. “Over the course of the weekend, you’ll enjoy all types of horse shows, sales, competitions, seminar and clinics.”
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, November 1, with Canada’s biggest team penning competition: the Zender Fall Classic. The other events add to the excitement starting on Friday, including an international horseshoeing competition, draft horse pulls, ranch horse competitions and sale, and the Fall Select Sale produced by AQHBG and Northlands.
Sunday features the Ranch Horse Competition, and then the Ranch Horse Sale. In 2006, sales were phenomenal at the event, topping out at $15,750, with an average selling price of $7,725, far above the Alberta average.
“Because the seminars, shows and competitions attract such a large and diverse crowd of horse-lovers, the sales did really well last year, and we’re looking forward to more of the same this year,” says Beinert. “For anyone who’s thinking of buying or selling this kind of horse, this is the weekend to do it.”
The third annual Heritage Ranch Rodeo kicks into gear on Sunday night, and continues through Monday and Tuesday evenings. This unique rodeo features Canada’s largest and oldest ranches competing in six events that mirror the daily chores on a ranch – Bronc Riding, Team Doctoring, Wild Cow Milking, Team Branding, a Wild Horse Race and Team Sorting.
Tickets are available online, or at the door. On Monday and Tuesday, the equine excitement continues with Working Cow Horse competitions hit the arena.
“The horse industry is a big industry in Alberta, and particularly in this area,” says Beinert.
“People keep horses for the love of it, for breeding purposes, for rodeos, for social activities such as penning, or for working on the ranch. This is a lifelong recreational sport that you’re never too young or old to participate in.
“We recognize the role horses play in our lives and on our farms. It’s a great fit with the large purebred cattle industry shows that follow later in the week,”
For complete information and schedules for the equine weekend at Farmfair International, click on www.farmfairinternational.com.
