By Nathalie Green
After two years of cancellation and delay, the eleventh annual Sambea National Jumper Festival is taking place on June 18th at Sambea Farm 24 Conrad Road, Lawrencetown. The event hosts riders and their horses eager to test their skills against curated jumping courses. The competition starts at 8:30 am.
Equestrian competition is one of the few sports where all genders compete against each other. Jumping their horses is a test of partnership, athleticism, boldness, and skill. This event provides a safe competitive environment for the local equestrian community to test these skills.
The Sambea National Jumper Festival (SNJF) is presented by Sambea Farm. Sambea Farm has operated in Lawrencetown since 1978. It is an established equine facility offering training for horses and riders. Sambea is home to 17 horses. The horse and rider combinations at Sambea take part in weekly training programs working towards achievement of their recreation and/or competition goals.
Competition is a healthy endeavor building confidence. The Sambea National Jumper Festival goes beyond that supporting the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB). The program is called Jump For The Blind (#jumpfortheblind). A portion of the event proceeds are donated to the Institute. The CNIB is a non-profit organization that provides supports, training, networking, and advocacy for the blind and partially sighted. The organization is committed to accessibility and inclusion. CNIB provides an essential service. In 2016, Stats Canada reported that almost 3% of Canadians 15 years of age and older have a sight disability.
The SNJF could not exist without the support of local sponsors. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Citadel Oral & Facial Surgery, Woodside Manor, Valleyfield Farm Ltd., Seven Lakes, HALIFAX, and Huestis Insurance Group for their continued support.
A happy addition to this year’s SNJF is the presence of the Purple People Feeder food truck.
The Sambea National Jumper Festival will be held rain or shine. It will also follow Nova Scotia’s Health’s pandemic safety advisements. All that said, the competition is expected to be another fun event enjoyed by all!
[Note: Nathalie Green is the owner/operator of Sambea Farm Inc.]
