by Alex Wilks/Special to the 91原创 Advance
Stop and smell the ros茅.
Thunderbird Show Park (tbird) is hosting a bigger and better Ros茅 Party during the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup this weekend.
Although showgoers will be attending Sunday鈥檚 (Aug. 26) competition for the impressive horses and riders, they will be staying for the wine and the incredible view, said director of marketing and special events Warren Kean.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the most inclusive, exclusive events in equestrian sport,鈥� he said of the Ros茅 Party.
鈥淲e get a massive amount of spectators and always have a very competitive and entertaining competition with some of the best riders in the world.鈥�
The second annual, adult-friendly party will have spectators tipping their hats, twirling their sweet, pink hued wine, and watching riders on horseback soar over Olympic-calibre show jumps.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had so much demand for this event again that we鈥檝e literally made it as big as our current liquor licence can accommodate,鈥� Kean explained.
Due to interest in the popular party, sponsored by the View Winery, it has already sold out and organizers are accepting waitlist submissions 鈥� in case they are able to expand the capacity and release more tickets, Kean explained.
鈥淥ur main focus with the Ros茅 Party was to create an event within an event that would provide another reason for coming out to watch our World Cup event,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he majority of people mention having a fantastic view of the grand prix ring while enjoying a nice cold beverage.鈥�
After the success of last year鈥檚 launch, the Thunderbird Show Park special events team knew that the formal party had to become an annual celebration.
鈥淭his year it鈥檚 bigger,鈥� noted Kean.
And for those who managed to snag a ticket to the high-demand wine event, they鈥檙e encouraged to come dressed in their classiest attire.
鈥淭he best part about horse shows is you can have people dressed in their Sunday鈥檚 best, jeans and a T-shirt, or their riding outfits, no one really cares what people wear,鈥� he noted.
鈥淭hat being said, for the Ros茅 Party we encourage dressing up and will be rewarding people with prizes for best dressed.鈥�
Although the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup event is free, there is a $10-charitable parking fee that is donated to The George and Dianne Legacy Fund 鈥� a riding scholarship program that was named after the tbird founders.
Aside from exclusive seating and sparkling ros茅 samples, spectators will also get to sample some of the best equestrian competition in the world at the local 91原创 show park (24550 72nd Ave.).
鈥淚 think that people will enjoy that this is such a unique sporting event and atmosphere. It鈥檚 like nothing else available in B.C.,鈥� Kean said.
