Desert Park Exhibition Society has elected its new board. (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
At their AGM on March 14, the Desert Park Exhibition Society voted in a new slate of officers and board directors.
Bobbie Fischer is taking the helm as president. She’s joined by Andrea Ernst as vice president, Gina Mazzei as treasurer, Janka Kamps as secretary and seven other board members, including previous president Bruce Fuller.
With no major events planned for the park this year, the society is instead focusing on equine activities and making the facility more equine-friendly, Fischer said.
Sun Hills Riding Centre already operates at the park, another trainer is hoping to make the park a permanent base, as well as several barrel racers.
Sunshine Therapeutic Riding, currently in Rock Creek, might also offer services out of the park.
There’s also an increase in boarding, Fischer said.
“There’s really a shortage of boarding facilities for horses so we’re opening a certain number of stalls for boarders, but they have to be self-care.”
As for events, other than a long table dinner fundraiser, none are on the calendar for this year, but Fischer is working on bringing the Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association (CIRRA) to Osoyoos in May of 2020.
The sport sees jockeys ride bareback and jump on and off horses throughout the race.
“I think it could be a really wonderful this to have here,” Fischer said.
However, first the society needs to secure $20,000 in sponsorships. Fundraising could include a demonstration by the CIRRA before the big event.
For the past three years, Fischer organized the Osoyoos
Medieval Faire at the park but this year she’s stepping back and tabling the event to focus on the venue itself.
“It was a one-person show and it was a full-time operation for me,” she said. “The facility absolutely needs to have a core strength and that’s most important right now.”
