Pemberton Equifest

Pemberton Equifest 2007, what a wonderful weekend!

The sun was shining, the organizers were ready,
the performers had arrived or were on their way and it felt good.
The energy was positive and everyone was satisfied with how the weekend unfolded.

Saturday's games were well attended.
The gymkhana games registered at 50 riders ranging from 6 yrs to over 50 yrs of age. We were happy to see new faces joining in. Some of these riders or their horses were playing for the first time in an arena with a crowd, music and announcements. As the day wore on, the participants bonded with the event and had fun, smiling; enjoying the day.

Sunday's Speed Jumping and Hoof and Woof had a record number of attendance and some very good riders. Sula Coulson coordinated the events, with Shirley Hill marshaling. Riders and horses that participated in the western games also gave it their best at the jumping. It was rewarding to see both English and Western riders enjoying the games. The Woofs had a great time with the agility obstacle course. Kids and adults alike encouraged, coaxed and rewarded their dogs for going on teeter-totters, through tunnels, over jumps and running like mad the whole time.

Team roping hasn't quite reached its mark for participants but those involved had a great time trying to nab one end or the other of the steers, walking away with good prizes. Katrina Williams provided a break away roping demonstration, making a catch on first try.

Team sorting registered 30 riders on 10 teams. The teams were organized by draw and everyone had strong riders with a newbie to the sport. Sorting is a very entertaining timed event as riders try desperately to find the right number called - on a steer, move it down to the other end of the arena, hopefully keeping it there while more cattle are added to their catch. This year was especially crazy as many of the numbers blended into the coat of the cow. Encouragement and respect followed through into all areas of participation. Participants totaled $2071.50 in registration fees.

Equifest's horse exhibitors were amazing.

The Wild Angels had the biggest hearts and stamina that the crowd and riders were in awe of. The arena footing was not quite perfect and the girls took some pretty major falls during the performance. They were 100 percent professional in stepping back into the routine, continuing on and then returning for the next performance. Their performance was inspiring. It is hard to describe the strength, agility and flexibility needed to perform gymnastics at full speed on horseback. The girls and their horses were well turned out in beautiful, flashy costumes and the routines were quick and exciting for all.

We welcomed back the Langley Riders drill team.
This group of women has grown to 12 riders at this event. They come up, camp out, participate in the gymkhana games, do their performance and they just get better and better each year. Pemberton riders have developed a relationship with this group and we feel privileged that each year they come back and join in.

Marcie Doyle was a last minute change from Karen Pavicic, Team Canada Dressage, as our dressage performer. Marcy came from Delta and she is a student in training with Karen. She and Laird, a warmblood gelding, provided us with a lovely display of precision riding that dressage demands. Her visit was a day trip, but she so enjoyed the hospitality she hopes to return and take advantage of a back country riding with Lazy Crow Ranch; perhaps squeezing in a teaching clinic at the same time.

The B.C. Cutting Horse Association arrived Sunday morning, bringing 7 in their party from Kamloops, Lillooet and Merrit. Our cattle were a little late which allowed them to warm up and assess the arena. Once again the footing was not quite what they needed for their performance, but they used the deeper sanded end and were ready to go. They brought two finished cutting horses and one green, just in training - actually its first time on cattle. It was educating to watch the horse lock on to the cows. They would select out a steer and get its attention focused on the horse, the reins were dropped on to the horse's neck and the horse went to work in keeping the steer from the herd.The seasoned horses made it look so easy to keep this ornery steer from crashing back into the herd, but when the green horse was guided into his turn you could see the training needed to develop the confidence in these animals to keep them from running away from those horns. Wendell Stoltzfus, one of the cutters from Knutsford, was keen on the roping, so he traded up with Peter in riding Peter Pocklington's horse and joined in, taking home the Best All Around roping buckle.Once again these performers so enjoyed their day, that coming back was talked about and we hope to have them put on a cutting clinic in the spring.

Returning Natural Horseman Will Clinging was challenged with a young stallion from Martin Mullaney's and Eloise Eaton's farm. It was rewarding to see Will claim the stallion's attention and keep it focused with all the activity going on around the arena. This animal was fairly well behaved, which was a compliment to the farm owners as stallions can be quite aggressive and demanding in the wrong hands. Will added in a bit and bridle to his demonstration, showing how to introduce contact with the bit as this horse's training will be focused on English riding. Contact and collection is a big part of this style of riding and starting a young horse correctly to accept this pressure on its mouth is very important to the performance in future riding development.Will's demonstration of this was something new, and a very enlightening experience.

Keeping the flow of the event consistent was the announcing of Branden Hestdalen and the assistance of scoring, Ella Warren. Brandon was wonderful at picking up the areas that were slowing the event down and provided knowledgeable commentary and encouragement to the riders.He routinely thanked the sponsors, reading out all the names and provided a bit of background to the event and its organizers. We were very pleased with music and course of the whole event and Brandon is to be thanked for that.

The Pemberton Equifest is still in search of a great volume of spectators.

The community came out and supported this event with a third of our population, but we are working hard to encourage people from the Sea to Sky corridor to come and take advantage of this opportunity to experience something unique. Advertising started, through the Whistler
Question, a month in advance, Mountain FM routinely announced the event two weeks before, 1500 flyers were distributed to community households, posters and sandwich boards were placed through out the community, but we could only count 300 people for each day.

Expectations were higher; however the event was so much stronger and it is felt that the positive feeling will follow through to people talking about it and more interest being generated for next year.

Total entry gate revenue was $1795.47

The Pemberton Equifest committee is very proud of the coordination
and commitment by the volunteers and the efforts they put out
produced a very special weekend.

Show and Shine
David Lee was the organizer of the inaugural Horse Power Show and Shine. Although uncertain about attendance numbers to be expected, Dave went out a collected over $3000 in prizes and certificates. On the day, 20 cars showed up, spiffed and polished inside and out. Trophies and the coveted car show dash plaques were provided to the participants. The voting was done by public ballot and 300 votes were cast for best truck, import, street rod, custom, best over all. The feedback from the car owners was very positive, but we will have to do something about the dust from the horse arena next year. This part of the event added another element of interest to the public and was well received. Dave is guesstimating a doubling of cars showing next year. Next year, participants of the show and shine will contribute to the Equifest's overall budget by paying an entry fee.

Battle of the Bands
Another first for the Pemberton Equifest. Sue Stearns and Don Murray structured and brought together the thought behind the Battle of the Bands in having local musicians come out and play, entertaining the crowd with a chance to win cash and prizes. Three bands signed up for the battle that was adjudicated by 4 members of our local musical community. It was quite a cross section from light rock, Pink Slip, to hip hop rap by Animal Nation out of Whistler, and loud rippin' rock by local teen favorites, Transmission Party. Between acts solo artists filled in and the afternoon flowed quite nicely. First prize of $200 was awarded to Transmission Party and $75 to second prize winner Animal Nation.Equifest had allocated the $1500 sponsorship from The B.C Transmission Corporation to support this event. Much of this cash donation was used in sound equipment rentals, honorariums to judges and cost of the evening band, Still Smokin'.

BBQ, Auction and Dance
The Equifest provides a Barbeque to all its volunteers, exhibitors and participants of the weekend. This BBQ was simple fare of beef on bun, corn, salads and pie for dessert, that was excellently prepared. Chef Peter Rennicks and his assistant Dan Breining slow roasted Baron of Beef over a hardwood fire, serving it up on time at 5:30pm. Across the Creek organics, Ryan Creek farm and Sturdys North Arm farm provided the additions to the very satisfying meal.

Local Auctioneer extraordinaire, Billy Hortie, cajoled buyers through 38 items of horsy gear and miscellaneous art, raising a tidy sum of $1497.50.

The music was provided by Still Smokin' that was upbeat and fun. However attendance was low and revenues from this area have continued to not support the dance.

The Equifest is looking at new ways to bolster the evening entertainment. The choices are to either scrap it or take it a step up and provide higher quality entertainers. Action is to bring on an entertainment coordinator and producer that can focus energy directly to this part of Equifest. It is felt that this kind of effort will generate more interest and stimulate the evening entertainment into sustainability.

Dance revenues totaled $1340.84

The Pemberton Equifest will be going into its fifth year in 2008.
In 2004 the Pemberton Equifest was fully sponsored by the Pemberton Agriculture and Community Association producing a swift start to creating a premier event for Pemberton. With this initial support, Equifest created an identity for Pemberton as a horse community and not only a horse community, but a fun horse community.

In 2005 the Pemberton Equifest stood on its own as a society. It built on its previous years inaugural reputation as something that must been seen and participated in.
The Pemberton Equifest worked hard for its sponsorships and kept up the level of expectation for the event.

Both years this event was held in the center of town at the Equifest Grounds, an outdoor arena with announcer stand and concession specifically rebuilt for Equifest. When it was built, it was owned by the Pemberton Agriculture and Community Association by the spring if 2005 it was transferred to the Village of Pemberton.

Both years were very successful, do to access and visibility in the community.

In 2006 the Pemberton Equifest moved to Rohan Stables on Clover road. It could no longer be in town due to the height of the hydro lines above the town arena. The Equifest Society rose to the occasion and rebuilt the arena at Rohan to continue this event. The event was not as well attended or organized due to this move.

In 2007 the event was excellent, drawing a third of the local community to support this event as spectators and participants. However, the Pemberton Equifest Society has not reached one of its main goals…to draw spectators from outside the Pemberton area to this event, capturing tourism and reputation for a must be there weekend.

The Pemberton Equifest has created the community spirit it tries so hard for; encompassing all of our communities in enjoying this event. Mt. Currie, Pemberton, Darcy, and Lillooet; all come out and celebrate horsemanship and what it means to each individual no matter the style of riding they prefer. Socializing, fun, excitement and learning new skills are what make Equifest a success.

We are also drawing in other people from around B.C. and introducing them to Pemberton.
As ambassadors of Pemberton the horse community is doing an excellent job. Visitors feel welcome, willing to return and be apart of something this good.

For 2008 we will be capitalizing on our successes and trying to find the right combination and feel to those areas in need. We invite our sponsors to stick with us as we continue to build this event. This is a good thing for our communities and with your help we will continue to grow the Equifest into its full potential ….

An event that will excite the whole community year after year;

An event that will draw visitors here;

An event that is nothing but positive to the community
and those who live in it.