LaurenGallops

The Royal – Nov. 4-13th in Ontario – is more than just a horse show, says our friend and colleague, Michelle C. Dunn, who for the past three or four years has handled both the Royal’s photography and PR. It is a celebration of the Royal’s motto – “bringing the country to the city” – and the livestock side of the show serves to remind kids of all ages that ‘real life’ means growing food to fill all those pretty packages that line supermarket shelves.

The opening night of the Royal offers spectators a double header of equestrian excitement. The uber-popular horse hockey returns with NHL legends Darcy Tucker and Mark Napier ‘facing off’ on horseback with Curtis Joseph and Darryl Sittler. We have been hoping for years to run away to the Royal to assist Michelle – maybe next year! This sounds almost as much fun to watch as indoor eventing – Rolex Kentucky 2006 being where we met Michelle for the first time, as numero uno photographer for Marty Bauman’s Classic Communications team in the Rolex 3-day event press center. Perhaps not so coincidentally, Indoor Eventing debuted at the Royal five years ago, and we wonder how much of an influence Michelle was in terms of plumping in favor of it…

The event riders get an opportunity to introduce their horses to the Royal's ring prior to the actual Indoor Eventing competition. © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Michelle says: “Good Crop Services Indoor Eventing takes place over opening weekend. The riders are allowed to acclimate their horses to the ring environment prior to the competition (as event horses don’t see a lot of the likes of the indoor ring at the Royal much in their lives!) It’s a mix of portable XC jumps and traditional show jumps, all set to rocking music… Waylon Roberts has won it more times than not but I suspect Mark Todd and Jessica Phoenix will give him a run for his money this year!”

Jessica Phoenix (CAN) is the 2011 Pan Am individual gold medalist, and Waylon Roberts (CAN) is following in his father Ian’s footsteps, making second international eventing a generational thing in that household. Mark Todd (NZ) has accomplished so much in his many years of riding for the Kiwis that not even retiring and then coming back can stop this iron man of the equestrian triathlon known as eventing. It’s definitely worth a visit to his website, Mark Todd Eventing, because his achievements read  like a walking (and galloping) equestrian history.

Anyhow, enough of our blab, Michelle’s photos cover different facets of the Royal far more eloquently than mere words. By the way, Michelle composed the captions, and we just tweaked them here & there…

The Royal is a year-end tradidion for all things equine - hunters, jumpers, equitation, hackneys & roadsters, the full range of 4 and 6-horse hitches… and it's where it's ALL laid on the line, including full traditional tack room displays. Nowhere else is the saying "mink & manure" as appropriate - everyone loves walking through the barns and checking it all out. © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

We love the variety of photos expressing the various aspects of the Royal…

Equally as important at the Royal is the Agriculture or "Ag" side… just look at the standing room only crowd to see how popular the National Holstein Show is. It's huge business at the Royal. © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The exhibits fulfill dual purposes – they educate and entertain – giving families plenty of memories as well as conversational topics, whatever the age of the ‘wonder year’ kids.

The Royal is about much more than just horses though - it's truly where many city kids come to get their first tastes of agriculture. Sights, sounds and of course the smells… it's all part of the experience! © © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The Royal ring is spacious, capable of accommodating even four-in-hand coaches…

"One of my favourites," admits Michelle, "is the Green Meadows Coaching division, especially the "appointments" class where they display the traditional coaches and what would be carried on the coaches as part of the judging process. The detail is truly outstanding." © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

To wrap up this post on a very red, white and blue note, here is the 2010 winner of the $75,000 grand prix jumping class.

Margie Engle who won last year's $75,000 Ricoh Big Ben Challenge, ending Michael Whitaker's three-year winning streak of the closing night class. © Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

You’re invited to join us at the Royal – virtually – thanks to awesome live streaming – all you need is a high speed connection and a comfy chair, no need to leave home or take off from work, but do try to look busy.

To enjoy the action, click here: Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and look for the box that says Royal TV Watch Here – it’s prominently displayed in the middle of the home page where you’ll find lots of information to help you enjoy the Royal even more!

Oh, we’re just a few days late for Halloween, but look at the size of this pumpkin from the 2010 Royal… how many pies do you think it would make???

© Michelle C. Dunn for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

P.S. Horse Show Junkies can catch the action of the Alltech National Horse Show at Kentucky Horse Park, Nov. 2-6, thanks to live streaming on the Alltech Ag Network For the schedule and information, visit the official website of the Alltech National Horse Show.