After a two-year pandemic-related absence, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair finally is coming back to Toronto, where it will celebrate its hundredth anniversary in November.
The stands are always filled for show jumping at the Royal. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The finale of the North American Fall Indoor Circuit, the Royal has been a bastion of custom even as the circuit has changed.
While the Pennsylvania National remains the kick-off of the circuit at the same location in Harrisburg, the Washington International this year moved out of the nation’s capital to Maryland. The National left Madison Square Garden 21 years ago and has been in Kentucky for the last 11 years.
But the Royal is in the same place, the Royal Coliseum at Exposition Place, where it debuted a century ago.
During that time, it kept traditions that can’t be found elsewhere. Formal dress is still what’s worn in the bunting-draped box seats at ringside, with women in sparkling gowns and men in tuxedos or scarlet evening tailcoats. There’s always a full measure of pomp for the trophy presentations.
Pomp and formality are a big part of the Royal’s appeal. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The show wouldn’t be out of place in another century. The classes reflect that nostalgia, too. In addition to the usual hunters and jumpers, there’s coaching competition with magnificent four-in-hands and hitches of draft horses; Percherons, Clydesdales and Belgians.
The Royal draws a great turnout of coaches for a memorable display. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The international jumper competition, rated 5 stars this year, includes many big names from the U.S. and abroad. McLain Ward is one of the regulars, and Canadian stars include Tiffany Foster, while Great Britain’s Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher and world number five-ranked Conor Swail of Ireland also are set to appear,
The Royal is the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the world. There are 6,000 animals at the fair. Although the horses are a focal point, other species on display include cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits, fowl and more. Much of the floor space is taken up by vendors of everything from saddlery to Ontario agricultural products such as fish and cheese and as you might expect, maple syrup, along with lots of related items in that category.
The show runs Nov. 4-12, with a rodeo Nov. 13. This year, the big exhibition is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police drill team, appearing daily except. Nov. 7.
From the New York metropolitan area, the easiest way to get to Toronto is via Porter Airlines, which flies out of Liberty International Airport and lands on an island in Toronto, just a short bus ride from the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where the riders and show officials stay.
Tickets for the show are available at this link
