Horsefest Day at La Troïka Stable in Wakefield.

Some 700 people attended the horse-related family activity organized by the Troika Stable on Saturday, June 5th.    This special event was part of Horsefest Week, a province-wide initiative to promote the equine industry in Quebec.  “Filière Cheval du Québec”, a body representing several groups promoting various components of the horse industry, coordinated Horsefest Week from May 31st to June 6th, 2004 across the province of Quebec. 

We were very pleased with the number of visiteurs that came and enjoyed the day with us. It was fantastic to see so many families turn out for a day of games, fun and learning on various horse related topics.

The Organizing Committee, was composed of Catherine Filion (La Troïka), Joanne Renaud, (Ranch Petit Galop) and Alexandra Roy (certified instructor FEQ). We had been planning this day since February. An additional 50 volunteers, including neighbors and friends, worked very hard to make this day a success.  Putting together such a day is an incredible team effort.  It would not have been possible without the enthusiastic help of all these people. It was great to see the community working together to organize such a wonderful event.

Several activities were awaiting the many children of families whom attended Horsefest Day.  There were arts and crafts workshops (Scrapbook-Coeur), face painting, miniature Horses cart rides, pony brushing and braiding workshop and other horse-related kiosks. In the pony brushing and braiding workshop, children had the opportunity to get first-hand contact with the ponies, they were just thrilled.

Since la Troika is also a sheep farm that produces naturally grown lamb, we created a wool corner. Tonia Tam Von Burg (Le Jardin d’enfants Haut-Bois) was doing carding, spining weaving and felting with the children and their parents that were very much impressed by the beautifull result of their work.

Another highlight of the day were the Bison Burgers, which were served by Distri-Bison a local producer of Wakefield.  The chance to eat a bison burger attracted many people. Encouraging local products and services are essential as this is an important part of who we are.  

The goal of the day was to initiate people to various horse disciplines and breeds.  The visitors were numerous to watch the equestrian demonstration in a large sandy ring surrounded by a magnificent view of the Gatineau Hills.  Spectators had the opportunity to see english riding, vaulting (gymnastics on horseback), driving, Miniature Horses and western riding.   These demonstrations were made on behalf of various regional stables: Farm of the Mountain (Luskville, Qc), The Other Place Miniature Horse (Wincester,On), La Ferme Cabriole (Papineauville, Qc), Ferme du Hameau (Notre-Dame de la Salette, Qc), Cytek Training Canada (Wakefield, Qc). These stables put on a great show and we were very pleased with the demonstrations they offered the visitors. Many people learned quite a bit about horse-related sports during this day.
  
Can Wakefield residents expect another similar event soon?  The day was fun for everybody so it would be very encouraging to do it again in the future.  Horses are a passion for the people that were involved in the organization of this event and for many of the volunteers that were here June 5th. We love to share our passion with others. From the positive feedback that we received so far, I think that we can be easily convinced to do it again. 

We would like thank the following sponsors for their generous support: The Gatineau Valley Horse and Cattle Association, SADC (Société d’aide aux Communautés), CLD des collines (Centre Local de Développement), MRC des Collines, Tourisme Outaouais, Caisse Populaire Desjardins, The Wakefield Mill, Les Trois Érables, Pharmacie C. Sanche & A. Plourde, Wakefield General Store & Chamberlin’s Lookout, Alpengruss, Salon Sélect, Banque Scotia, Agent Hyp.-Banque Scotia - Françoise Hébert, M&R Feeds and Farm Supply, Matériaux Beausoleil, Centre Dentaire de Wakefield, Agent IMM- Affilié -Gauvin - Yves Dorval, Agent IMM – Affilié- Royal Lepage - Daniel Hébert, Charles IGA, McKenna Grenhouses, Production PSI, Franziska Heinze Photography, F. Poulin, SoDesign, Sandy’s Pizza, Le Domino, Jamboree and Ranch Petit Galop.