|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jan Mansfield
januscom@shaw.ca
604-719-3828
TRADE FAIR HAS EVERYTHING FROM TACK TO “TOOLS”
Shoppers were crowding the aisles at The Mane Event trade fair Saturday where over 175 exhibitors were offering an array of products and services for the horse enthusiast. Browsers could find everything they need for day to day work with their horses, plus a number of things they probably didn’t know they needed! They could also learn about a number of new and innovative products to make their time with their horses more efficient and enjoyable.
The Fold-A-Cart, a nifty new item being manufactured locally in Chilliwack by Fold-A-Tools, is a handy item for the farm or garden. It is lightweight and easy to fold up and hang on a barn door, in the garage or store in a tack room. David Hilbert, one of the founders of Fold-A-Tools, says that a folding wheelbarrow that will fold down into the size of a golf bag is currently in the works.
One of the foremost innovators in the fencing products industry is Ferris Fencing, based in Qualicum, BC. Owner John Ferris, an engineer by trade, began manufacturing fencing eight years ago when he couldn’t find a suitable product to keep wildlife out of his organic farm. Now the company provides fencing for a wide variety of applications including several government ministries that deal with wildlife control. “We really push stewardship of the land and the safety and comfort of the animal,” says John. “We know the issues horse owners have. We feel that fencing is one of the most important parts of the industry.” John says the company uses as many North American products as possible in the production of its products. “We’re environmental stewards,” says John. “We’re real bunny huggers!”
The various tack shops at the trade fair, including Big M Saddle and Tack, Greenhawk, The Mill Store and Roddick’s Farm Supply are all doing a brisk business and are reportedly having to re-stock frequently. That’s certainly true at The Dog and Pony Shop from Ladner which is a one-stop-shopping centre for many riders. The corner devoted to Arista riding apparel, which Sharie Loychuk has been making in Vancouver for the past 14 years, had almost as many empty hangers as those still displaying the beautiful breeches, shirts, and outerwear. Sharie said she doesn’t often get to go to trade fairs but came to The Mane Event to talk to a cross section of customers who wear the clothes for a variety of equestrian activities. Sharie was wearing a sample of Arista’s new line of blue jeans called “SugarCubed.” They are strategically cut for comfort in the saddle but stylish enough to wear anywhere. They will be in stores in early November.
One of the hardest working exhibitors at The Mane Event was Jane Savoie, the acclaimed U.S. dressage competitor and trainer. Between her clinic sessions in the main arena, she was manning her booth on the trade show floor where a steady stream of fans came to talk to her and buy one of the four books she has written. Jane was also introducing the Cool Medics riding vest which keeps a rider up to 25 degrees (F) cooler than the outside temperature for up to eight hours. One version is even designed to be worn under a show jacket, a boon for riders who compete in hot climates. “I love the variety,” says Jane about her busy life. “My whole life, and everything about horses, is all about balance.”
Custom jeweler Ken Davies of Maple Ridge crafts jewellery of many designs out of both karat gold and sterling silver. But the pieces he is showing at The Mane Event under the name of Equine D’oro (horses of gold) are truly magnificent, one-of-a-kind works of art portraying horses as he sees them – doing everything from jumping to packing. “Horses are my passion,” he says, and the passion come through in the beautiful three dimensional “detailed carving in extreme miniature” as Ken describes it. “I’m thrilled with it when I capture the life of the horse.”
Kristine Henry of Armstrong and her partner Vickey Bischoff have taken re-cycling to a new level. When their team roping husbands have worn out their ropes, the women use them to create frames, baskets, candle holders and pieces of art. The worn out parts of the rope add to the beauty of the finished object, says Kristine. “The new ones don’t look as nice.”
|
