New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society will hold its fifth annual fall Shed Row Market on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 28 and 29) at the High Point Equestrian Centre and Clubhouse, at 658 200 St. in South Langley.
Shoppers will be able to peruse an array of locally-made goods, from organic vegetables and artisan cheese to handmade jewellery, art and home décor. Proceeds will go directly to supporting the housing, rehabilitation and training of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
The harvest-themed market — which is named for a row or double row of horse barns with individual stalls facing a walkway commonly found at the racetrack — got its start in 2009 at Barb Beaton’s Fields & Flowers Farm in Langley, as a way to honour her Thoroughbred stallion Musing (a former racehorse who became a noted sire of hunters and jumpers in his career after the track) and to raise funds and generate awareness for the New Stride organization.
“The community has made this event a huge success and contributed greatly to our program year after year,” says New Stride president Bill Randall. “The market is one of our largest fundraising events away from the track and the money raised helps us fund spaces to take on new horses and ultimately more adoptions. Everyone who’s come to the market has contributed significantly to the work of New Stride.”
This year’s market will be held at the prestigious High Point Equestrian Centre and Clubhouse in Langley. The public is invited to visit the beautiful 287-acre equestrian community and purchase heritage vegetables, locally-grown fruit, and festive preserves for their Thanksgiving tables. A full menu food vendor will also be available as well as locally roasted coffee by ‘Biscotti Joe.’
The family-themed event will also feature pony rides, a photo corner, and a live ‘Meet the Graduates’ performance, featuring past New Stride horses. Renowned horsemanship trainer and clinician, Jay O’ Jay, will also be providing a demonstration.
Further details regarding The Shed Row Market, including a complete list of vendors, can be found by visiting www.theshedrowmarket.com.
tion Society:
Founded in 2002, the New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society facilitates adoption and care and retraining for non-competitive and injured thoroughbreds. Staffed by volunteers, New Stride facilitates both an adoption program for recently retired racehorses and a sponsorship program for horse lovers who cannot take on the care of a retired racehorse, but would like to support one of these beautiful animals in their new life.
During its existence New Stride has placed over 120 Thoroughbreds into adoptive homes and assisted many owners and trainers in connecting horses coming off the track with opportunities for new careers and homes. The organization also offers assistance to Thoroughbred owners outside the racing community in the form of information, advice and free advertising of horses for sale on its website.
More information about the society and horses available for sponsorship or adoption can be found by visiting www.newstride.com.