Nothin’ but Small Talk...Maine Equine Park Proposal

[Turner Publishing]

The Maine Horse Association was established in 1932 and incorporated by the state of Maine in 1939 as a non-profit corporation. Their objectives are many, including creating an opportunity for all Maine horse people, regardless of their interests, to work together, while striving to be the umbrella organization for all other equine clubs and associations in Maine. MHA also encourages and aids in the planning of trail rides and the promoting of horse shows, riding clubs, and other equestrian events. An Equine Park Committee was established by the Maine Horse Association in hopes of raising enough money to one day create a Maine Equine Park. This park shall be a non-profit facility used to conduct, encourage, and promote horse activities in the state of Maine. It would provide a quality venue for different organizations to host their events, something that is lacking in Maine now. It would serve to help the state’s equine community expand and educate Maine citizens about horses and horse-related sports. The park would help to provide viable, healthy activities for our youth and work with them in therapeutic riding programs. For 30 years the Maine Horse Association has hosted the Downeast Horse Congress Horse Show, a multi-day all-breed horse
show. Earnings from this show go directly to the Equine Park fund. MHA has raised a substantial amount of money throughout the years with the Downeast Horse Congress; however the task of building a state of the art Equine facility is no easy one. The Committee has broken the construction into 4 stages. Stage 1 would be for MHA to evaluate and acquire land. Committee members have recently been looking into getting a land donation, preferably in central Maine with easy access to I-95. They would then need to get the necessary insurance and permits and then begin by constructing an access road. A sign would be needed for the public and two outdoor rings would be constructed. Electricity, fencing, and a
well for water would be acquired, and lastly parking space would be made. The completion of stage 1 would allow groups and organizations to use the Equine Park for day events.
Stage 2 would consist of building a show office, announcer’s booth, storage space, and bathroom facilities. An area would be cleared for 300 permanent stalls, a cement pad for manure laid down, two practice rings created, and 75 camper hook-up spaces made. The Committee would then purchase their own jumps, install a PA system and ring lights for
nighttime events. Stage 3 would start off with covering the rings and constructing an indoor arena. A large building for meeting/conference use and indoor activities would be built, entrances and parking lots paved, and bleachers for show rings acquired. The 4th stage would be to acquire a tractor and equipment to care for the grounds, construct a ½ mile walking track, create a cross country course with permanent jumps, build a dressage ring with a judge’s stand, and construct trails for trail riding and carriage driving. With the 5th stage MHA could see bringing in restaurants, hotels, tack shops, and creating more Maine jobs. They also would allow the facility to be used for non-related horse events. It’s a dream, a dream that the members of the Maine Horse Association have been working hard towards since their creation over 77 years ago. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the
Downeast Horse Congress Horse Show, which will be held June 19th through the 21st at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Come by and support the Maine Horse Association and its goal
of one day establishing an Equine Park. You will view an array of horse breeds such as Morgans, Saddlebreds, Arabians, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Friesians, Tennessee Walkers,
Miniature horses, ponies, and draft horses in many different types of riding styles. A hunter/jumper show will be the highlight of Saturday’s festivities, as well as breed demonstrations that evening. All weekend long there are fun activities to celebrate Father’s Day and the show’s 30th year. To find out more information on the Maine Horse ssociation, the Equine Park, or the Downeast Horse Congress Horse Show, visit their website at www.mainehorseassoc.com. Lots of progress has been made towards an Equine Park; however, lots of work still remains before the dream becomes a reality.