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Horse-helping harvest market reaches A ‘High Point’

The 4th annual Shed Row Market moves to the High Point Equestrian Centre in South Langley this year.
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Ex-racehorse Willie Katchem and owner Sarah Clark soar over a jump. Clark adopted Willie from New Stride in spring 2012 – they're now competing in three-day eventing competitions across B.C.

One of Langley’s horse-friendliest addresses hosts the 4th annual Shed Row Market  later this month.

The boutique-style fall market – named for a row of horse stalls facing a walkway – runs Sept. 29 to 30 at High Point Equestrian Centre and Clubhouse in South Langley.

There’ll be a focus on vendors selling local and hand-made goods and produce, from organic vegetables to artisanal cheeses, handmade jewellry, art, pottery, paintings, home decorating items and more.

The $2 admission fee goes directly to New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society.

The market got its start in 2009 at Barb Beaton’s Fields & Flowers Farm in Langley. Beaton wanted a way to honour her thoroughbred stallion, Musing, a former racehorse and successful sire in his retirement.

She also wanted to raise money and awareness for the New Stride organization.

After three years at her farm, the harvest-themed market has grown to the point where they needed a larger venue.

“We simply couldn’t accommodate the number of visitors or the request for vendor stalls on our working farm,” Beaton said, adding High Point Equestrian Centre, at 658 200 Street, is the perfect venue.

“The community has made this event a huge success and contributed greatly to our program year after year,” New Stride president Marcy Emery said.

The year 2012 marks New Stride’s 10th anniversary. Already, 12 horses have been adopted this year – a record for the society.

Horses live an average of 25 years, but most thoroughbred racers retire from the track before they’re eight years old.

New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society gives retired race horses just off the track a new lease on life, retraining them so they can be adopted into good, loving homes.

Donations from the community are vital, as are sponsorships. For as little as $10 a month, people can sponsor horses that are being rehabilitated through New Stride, covering their feed costs and upkeep, which can add up.

The Shed Row Market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. For more info, visit http://theshedrowmarket.com and http://newstride.com.