Buoyed by a survey showing a strong horse population, the Saskatchewan Horse Federation wants to showcase its industry.
The federation began planning about 18 months ago for an event that will feature all aspects of the industry to those who already participate and those who don’t.
It will include all breeds and all disciplines, said Doug Howe, the horse federation board member who spearheaded the committee looking into the idea.
The event could be held by next February if all falls into place.
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The federation heard at its recent annual conference that there are about 115,000 horses in the province.
The survey also showed there is about $1 billion invested in the horse industry, with a total annual economic impact to Saskatchewan of about $723 million.
“I was completely shocked at the number of horses,” Howe said. “We got valuable information about where we’re going to go.”
Vel Evans of Strategic Equine Marketing, who did the survey, suggested the federation should hold a sale at the same time.
She said the numbers should help the federation secure provincial money to bring in buyers from other provinces.
“You have a quality product here,” she said. “You need to do some aggressive marketing.”
Howe also said the statistics should persuade the province to provide seed money to start the event.
The industry used to hold an event in Regina called Festival of the Horse. Conference participants said the new event should celebrate the horse, and educate and entertain people.
