Dressage New Brunswick Horse Show a Hit in Sussex, NB

Kristie Gartside from Hampton, NB, riding Romeo at the Dressage New Brunswick horse show at the Princess Louise Park Show Centre in Sussex, NB

Despite the unaccustomed heat and high humidity, organizers of the Dressage New Brunswick National Dressage Show, at the Princess Louise park Show Centre in Sussex, New Brunswick, reported that enthusiasm for both the event and the venue were at an all-time high. Michelle DeGarie said, “We had a waiting list to get into this show. That has never happened before. This facility is great and the footing this year is excellent.” 

 

Dressage competitions are often compared to figure skating. There are prescribed tests ranging from beginner to Olympic (Grand Prix) levels which are similar to the concept of compulsory figures in skating. The tests are designed to show that both horse and rider have mastered the skills at that level. Each test contains several movements, each being scored independently of the others.  The scores are totaled and the highest score wins for that level / test.  

 

There are also Kürs or Freestyles at some levels. Always crowd pleasers, in the Freestyle the rider can choreograph a series of movements (appropriate to the particular level) and then set the dance to music. In addition to the technical scores, marks are also given for artistic interpretation. 

 

Michaela Eisengruber of Nova Scotia aboard Sir Rock at the Dressage New Brunswick horse show at the Princess Louise Park Show Centre in Sussex, NB

Ontario’s Dorita Kozak presided as judge for the two-day event. She commented that the ability to open or close the sides of the arena helped to make it much more comfortable for everyone – riders, horses, spectators and officials – despite the heat.

Coming up August 3rd to 6th, the Maritime Quarter Horse Association 4-Day Summer Sizzler Horse Show
The MQHA Summer Sizzler is a four-day event with exhibitors coming from throughout the Maritimes, Quebec and the Eastern United States. The Show Committee wanted to offer some special entertainment during the show and decided to promote a local artist, selecting Kevin Chase whose latest album, “I Won’t Fall” (appropriate for a horse show!), was recently released. The Saturday evening performance is open to the public and admission and parking are free. 

“The Maritime Quarter Horse Association wanted to give something back to the exhibitors who come to our shows,” said John Hughes, one of the Association’s Show Committee members. “So, we hired Kevin Chase to entertain in the Arena on Saturday night after the horse show.”

“The concert is scheduled to start when the horse show ends Saturday evening,” said Hughes, “probably between 9 and 9:30 p.m.” 

“This will be a first for the Show Centre,” said Ceci Flanagan-Snow, Manager for the facility. “We have seating for several hundred spectators, but it might be a good idea to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, just in case,” she concluded. The Arena was built so that the sides could all be opened up making room for more spectators and keeping the temperature inside the building at a comfortable level for all.

Dancing Horses to return on August 11-12 for the Dressage NB Provincial Championships
The following week-end dressage enthusiasts will return to the Show Centre for the Provincial Championships. Here the best of the best will vie for the title of Provincial Champion for their Divisions. 

The Princess Louise Park Show Centre is located in Sussex, New Brunswick, near the 8th Hussars Sport Arena. The Show Centre is home to shows, clinics and competitions, celebrating our agricultural heritage, from early May through late October. Parking is plentiful and free and admission to most events is free, too. 

To check on the schedule for upcoming events, go to www.plpshowcentre.com and click on the Calendar.