The thaw makes itself felt

Despite these minor irritations, organizers estimates that this annual Laval winter celebration drew at least 9,000 to the first weekend’s program.

“It’s understandable that some people were disappointed. The overcast sky didn’t make the stars visible for viewing. As well, the river declined to freeze over and we had to move the family ice-fishing activity. But we had success, all the fishing rods were occupied,” reports Véronique Pharand, information officer for Ville de Laval.

“As to our opening number put on by the Quebec Amazones, it was a first for them in winter. It was difficult to determine the best conditions for their performance. It’s too bad, but we couldn’t do anything about the storm that hit on Friday,” Mrs. Pharand adds.

“It was a test for us. There was lots of ice and we couldn’t show our whole program. But our horses have heart, they still managed to perform some rearing and pivoting,” says Samuelle Ducrocq, a Quebec spacialist in Amazone Riding (both legs to the left of of the saddle). Mrs. Ducrocq was accompanied by Annick Bédard, who was at her first performance.

Despite the confusion related to the exact location of the show, Joee, an 8-year-old Canadian thoroughbred mare, and Gangster, an 18-year-old Albino Apalooza, put stars into lots of children’s eyes, imagining themselves a princess or knight as they watched the horses perform pirouettes, urged on by their talented riders.