Winter fair draws large, lively crowd

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair kicked off on Monday with hundreds of people touring the Keystone Centre in Brandon, petting animals, browsing vendor booths and learning about agriculture.

“We’ve seen the horse jumping. We went to see the stables. We’ve been to the petting zoo and just checked out some of the market stuff,” Kim Kerelchuk said while visiting the fair in the morning with her five-year-old daughter.

In the petting zoo area, rabbits, llamas, sheep, chickens and more were on display.

“My daughter’s never been here before, so we’re just checking it out, and we’re gonna watch some horse jumping hopefully and see all the animals and take it all in,” Kerelchuk told the Sun as her daughter was off to the side petting bunnies.

Kostyshyn announces $300K for 4-H clubs

Manitoba’s agriculture minister announced on Tuesday that the province will provide $300,000 in support to 4-H clubs in the province.

Speaking at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair on 4-H Day, Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the funding and said it would come over three years.

“It is important to inspire young people to learn about agriculture and its values,” said Kostyshyn. “If it was not for our farmers, food would be a challenge.”

Kostyshyn said the province’s agricultural producers don’t receive enough appreciation and encouraged a crowd of about 100 people to reach out to the Manitoba 4-H Council if they are interested in getting involved in the organization.

Hryshko credits workouts for success

A steady workout regimen is one of the secrets of success for the winner of Monday night’s Gambler’s Choice event at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

Dana Hryshko of East St. Paul scored a 1300 during the main jumping event, with a time of 63.28 seconds. Her performance claimed first place for the prize of $1,950.

Hryshko, 24, has been riding since age seven. She is now a professional who dedicates her life to riding horses and breaking them in for others to ride.

Hryshko is called a “colt breaker,” a rider who teaches athletic horses to be handled. It’s tough work to tame wild instincts, and one she believes strength is particularly important in.

Provincial Ex set for Winter Fair

The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is ready to host the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, which kicks off today at the Keystone Centre.

Preparations are finalized and exhibitors have moved in to ensure a successful event, Provincial Exhibition president Clint Swain told the Sun over the weekend.

“We are fully set for the fair,” Swain said. “Exhibitors have moved in their horses and trade show displays. Although the official start is today, some jumping classes began on Sunday.”

This year’s fair will feature more than 150 horses, with full entries for jumpers, eight tour teams, 10 Hackney horses, and six heavy hitches. Attendance is anticipated to reach approximately 60,000 people throughout the week, he added.

Winter Fair buzzes with excitement

As soon as the doors opened for Day 1 of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon, seven-year-old Braydon Mahoney from Reston was pulling on his mom’s hand and leading her to the Royal Farm Yard in the Flynn Arena — or as Braydon calls it, the petting zoo.

“It’s only two dollars for a cup of their food and the lambs come right up and lick your hand,” he said as he laughed.

The timing of the fair is perfect, said Jewel Sundell, who added now that it’s spring break she and her three daughters can take their time and wander around.

“I came every year as a little girl — I don’t think we ever missed a year,” Sundell said. “And I’m a teacher, so this is good for my three daughters. They are animal lovers, and they love being able to interact with them, And after this, we’ll head upstairs to watch the horse jumping.”

Day 1 at the Winter Fair

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair kicked off Monday at the Keystone Centre.

Over six days, the Keystone Centre will play host to horse shows, livestock sales and displays, live entertainment and hundreds of commercial and agricultural exhibits.

Here are some of the highlights from opening day.

» The Brandon Sun

Getting ready for Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair took shape on Sunday, with exhibitors getting their animals ready, vendors setting up their booths and workers assembling rides throughout the Keystone Centre ahead of opening day.

Heather Hart and her husband Rod of Meadowind Miniatures from Carman were busy trimming hair on the four miniature horses they brought for competition this year when the Sun visited the venue.

She said they arrived on Saturday and got set up in about three hours with the help of the Manitoba Miniature Horse Club.

“It becomes a whole community,” Hart said of attending the fair. “It’s like going to the cottage in the summer … we know all the people in the other breeds as well.”

First-time competitors thriving at fair

Tyne Alliban and her family drove more than 1,000 kilometres to compete in the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair horse show for the first time, a decision that’s already paying dividends for the equine enthusiasts from Alberta.