Equine Events Center Welcomes Horse Lovers
By Catherine Madera
A brand new horse arena and equine events center in Lynden, Washington guarantees it is always a good time to ride—rain or shine. Located at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds the 130×235 foot arena was completed in 2010 and unveiled in August during the fair’s centennial celebration. Dubbed The Washington Tractor Arena, it stands next to the original 100×200 facility now being used as the warm-up arena during shows and other horse-related events.
Northwest Washington loves horses. The fairgrounds and existing equine facility has been serving the community since the 1970s, providing a place for horse owners and clubs to host shows, clinics, and conduct 4H events. Heavy use of the existing facility prompted fair officials to seriously consider renovations. Ultimately, they decided to construct a completely new building.
“It (the new arena) came about for a variety of reasons,” says Jim Baron, manager of the Northwest Washington Fair and Events Center. “We asked different horse groups how we could attract more shows. The biggest considerations were a larger arena and a covered warm-up.”
Construction on the 2.1 million dollar arena began in January of 2010. Though the new center was built with a focus on equestrian needs, it has multi-use features such as removable arena rails and an extra tall ceiling to accommodate motor-cross and monster truck events. Layout is especially friendly to equine events of all sorts from draft horses to gaming shows with amenities that include a heated arena, fans for hot weather, a place for vendors, and stall availability. Participants can access the new arena from the warm-up area and barn, avoiding the outdoors entirely during foul weather. Though the facility has been in service less than a year, Baron says initial feedback has been excellent.
“I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments from those attending horse shows.”
A critical component to any arena is footing and the challenge is to provide a surface that can successfully serve a variety of equine disciplines. The fair board hired a consultant, Bob Kiser, for this all important task and chose an “infield mix” which has broad appeal.
“Footing is such a big deal,” says Baron, “but really every group that has ridden in the new arena gives us positive feedback about it from gaming to reining and dressage.”
The Washington Tractor Arena created a lot of interest for the thousands who attended the 2010 Northwest Washington Fair and allowed for expansion of the horse 4H program. Since then the new center has hosted several large equine events including The Cascade Horse Fair, clinician Al Dunning, and the Washington State Shetland Pony Club show. Baron says the fair hopes to attract major breed shows now that they can be accommodated in style and comfort and believes the new equestrian center and its user friendly set-up is the largest, and one of the nicest, North of Snohomish.
Cost to rent the facility depend on the size and duration of the event—day versus multi-day rates—with a standard daily fee of $500.00. The Event’s Center is focused on booking multi-day shows and encourages those interested in planning an event to contact the fair office so the best program can be built from a menu of services. Discounts are available for 4H clubs.
The versatility and size of The Washington Tractor Arena will be showcased this month when doors open for the first annual Draft Horse Spectacular July 15 and 16. Those who can’t wait for the 2011 Northwest Washington Fair and its popular daily draft exhibition can enjoy an early show during the Spectacular as four, six, and eight horse hitches compete in all their glory. Many of the hitches are the same ones that entertain fair goers every year.
The Draft Horse Spectacular is open to horses from all over the region, including British Columbia. There will be events, vendors, and food all day and the show starts each evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are ten dollars for adult; five dollars for seniors; and twelve and under get in free. The show is benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County by donating $1.00 of every ticket sold and providing a special program on Friday afternoon just for Club members.
To find out how the Northwest Fair and Event Center can serve your equestrian event needs or for more information on the Draft Horse Spectacular please visit them on the web: www.nwwafair.com or call: 360-354-4111.
Published July 2011 Issue
Catherine Madera served as editor of the Northwest Horse Source for five years. She has written for numerous regional and national publications and is a contributing writer for Guideposts Magazine and the author of four equine-related books. She has two grown children and lives with her husband and three horses in Northwest Washington.