An aerial view of Thunderbird Show Park. Photo by Totem Photographics
Jane Tidball, Haley Stradling and Chris Pack. Photo Courtesy of Thunderbird Show Park

February 1, 2012 – Wellington, FL – Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, was ranked number two when the list of the top 25 show jumping venues in North America was revealed by the North American Riders Group (NARG) at its annual meeting held January 31, 2012, in Wellington, Florida.

Over 50 horse shows across North America were evaluated using eight sets of criteria including footing, stabling and marketing.  Thunderbird Show Park earned a total score of 83% to rank second to Spruce Meadows in Calgary, giving Canada the top two spots among show jumping venues in North America.

“We are thrilled, honoured and humbled,” said Jane Tidball, President and Tournament Director of Thunderbird Show Park who was in attendance at the annual NARG meeting.  “I like the direction that NARG is taking because it puts the sport first and makes it the top priority.  At Thunderbird, we believe in great sport and great people.”

Family owned and operated, Thunderbird Show Park is celebrating its 39th anniversary in 2012.  Founded by George and Dianne Tidball, their original motivation was to build a facility for their daughter Laura, who was a member of Canada’s fourth-placed team at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.  A trail blazer in the restaurant industry, George Tidball brought the McDonald’s chain to Canada in 1967 and was the founder of the popular Keg Steakhouse and Bar restaurants.  Applying the same philosophies to horse show management as he did to the restaurant industry, George Tidball says, “We treat visitors to Thunderbird Show Park like guests that we have invited into our own home.”

That level of hospitality extends to not only competitors, but to the media and sponsors as well.

“We work closely with the media and the sponsors to develop good relationships, and I think that is key to attracting and keeping sponsors and being able to offer great prize money to our exhibitors,” said Jane Tidball, noting that many sponsors have been partners with Thunderbird Show Park for more than a decade.

As a family member as well as a regular competitor and trainer at Thunderbird Show Park, Laura Tidball-Balisky noted, “We really care about the people who come to Thunderbird, not only in terms of hospitality, but by doing anything to make people feel welcome and by letting them know that we are here to help.”

She continued, “My mom, Dianne, wanted to bring the sport to our area by building Thunderbird Show Park.  A lot of thought and planning went into it.  It’s built for the trainers in the sense that they can stand in one place and see everything.  It has really allowed us to build the sport in our area, and it’s great for the horses and riders.”

Thunderbird Show Park, host of the 2003 Pan American Games Selection Trials for the Canadian Show Jumping Team, has attracted the biggest names in the sport to its tournaments over the years.  Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze, Eddie Macken, Jaime Azcarraga, Richard Spooner and Rich Fellers are all familiar faces.  Part of the reason is that each year, Thunderbird Show Park invests back into the facility.  In 2011, a new western Timberframe hospitality pavilion was unveiled, and a beautifully landscaped ‘boulevard’ through the middle of the show grounds keeps horses and pedestrians safe.

“My mom always wanted people to come back to Thunderbird wondering what was new this year,” said Jane Tidball.  “Last year, it was the new Timberframe.  This year, we will be putting state-of-the-art footing in our grand prix warm-up area to help give the same level of comfort and safety as our grand prix field.  One of the things we are the most proud of at Thunderbird is our grass grand prix field.  It is maintained like it is our pride and joy.”

For Chris Pack, Vice-President of Operations and Tournament Manager, there is only one way to go, and that’s up.

“Being recognized as the number two facility in North America is extremely rewarding for all of us here at Thunderbird, as well as a great incentive,” Pack said.  “We are already thinking of ways to improve on our score for this season!”

In 2012, Thunderbird Show Park will host six major hunter and jumper tournaments, including three sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and will offer more than $800,000 in prize money.  For hunter competitors, there are numerous derby and WCHR events.

Located east of Vancouver, Thunderbird Show Park is situated on 85-acres and features six competition rings, five warm-up rings, three indoor arenas, five covered stables, children’s playground, a pony corral, and riding trails.  A multi-discipline facility, Thunderbird hosts numerous high-profile shows each year attracting world-class athletes and horses.

For more information on Thunderbird Show Park, please visit www.thunderbirdshowpark.com.