KIN PARK RACETRACK & EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
..............exciting plans!

by Jan White

Following the Special General Meeting December 16, 2001 wherein the Purposes, Article 3 and revised Bylaws of the Society were passed, the Vernon & District Agricultural Society (VDAS) held the AGM, Election, Trade Fair, Silent Auction and Banquet at the Schubert Centre in Vernon on January 26, 2002.

It was successful and many thanks go to the volunteers and those who donated items for the silent auction. Elected: President - Dennis Bristow, Past President - Garry Saitz, V.P. -Dr. Lois Philp, Secretary - Sean Newton, Treasurer - Gillian Wells. Directors: Wade Hardie, Rob Kimber, Julie White, Dr. Jan White, Nancy Roman, Jackie Goodwin, Anna Hunt-Binkley, Joan Cunningham, Mary Ellen Laidlaw, Ron Bilodeau, Kelly McMillan.

Under the new Purpose, the VDAS is committed to foster and promote all aspects of horse related activities as well as all agricultural events. Our aim is to coordinate and develop a spirit of cooperation among the many equine groups and individuals and to ensure that horse traditions are preserved for the future.

Kin Park, the oldest, still operating racetrack in Canada, is an ideal, central location for many equestrian events, in addition to racing. At the first Directors' Meeting on February 6th, a number of Committees were formed with at least one Director on each. Directors will meet the first Wednesday of each month and Committees as needed. We are indeed fortunate to have some very experienced people in the Valley who have indicated their willingness to help build Kin Park into a busy centre for horse sport.

We invite input from all persons or groups who may wish to use our facilities. We offer stabling, large riding rings, covered grandstand, trade show facilities, washrooms and a beer garden, with more amenities to be added. (See our Business Listing in this issue of Saddle Up.)

2002 will see exciting Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Arabian Racing on June 23 and weekends from July 7th to August 4th inclusive. Other planned events, open to the public, are a Breed and Discipline Showcase Day in late spring and the 2nd Annual Horse Extravaganza in September which will include exciting jumping competitions, various displays, a trade fair, private treaty horse sale and stallion parade. (The first HorseExtravaganza, held in September of 2000, drew rave reviews and a packed house.) Watch Saddle Up's Calendar of Events for dates.

The Standing Committees are as follows and new members may be added:
Racing: Garry Saitz, Wade Hardie, Rob Kimber, Sean Newton, Ron Bilodeau and Kelly McMillan. Admin/Planning: Dennis Bristow, Robin Hahn, Lois Philp and Anna Hunt-Binkley. Communications and Special Events: Jan White, Nancy Roman, Bev Broadaway, Cathie Cross, Jackie Wills. Cross Country/Eventing: Julie White, Robin Hahn. Dressage: Mary Ellen Laidlaw. Youth: Gillian Wells, Mary Ellen Laidlaw. Hunter/Jumper: Jackie Goodwin, Claudia Cojocar, Allison Couvert. Western Riding & Events: Nancy Roman. Speciality Horses
& Events: (Miniatures, Gaited, Driving): Joan Cunningham, Robyn Hood, Phil Pretty.

Hopes are high that this new direction will fulfill the dreams of local horsepersons to make Kin Park into a valuable community Equestrian Centre on which will serve locals and also attract visitors.



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