Long days, big crowds and bigger smiles close out Agribition in Regina

Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up its final day Saturday in Regina with long hours, packed barns and a familiar feeling among exhibitors and visitors: exhaustion mixed with a whole lot of gratitude.

Eighteen-year-old cattle exhibitor Jacob Trask has been at the show since last weekend with the Millham crew. His days started as early as 3 a.m., washing and fitting cattle before hitting the show ring. Despite the grind, he said he still wasn’t ready for it to end.

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“It’s been a long nine days,” Trask said. “You get home, sleep one day, and you want to come right back.”

Trask has been coming to Agribition for eight years, and said the best part continues to be the people; familiar faces from across the country and even the U.S. He also called Friday’s Hereford show his highlight, especially with his crew’s bull competing in the Supreme class.

Karen Lovell, owner of Rocky Mountain Mules, demonstrates how she hand-ties mohair cinches at her booth inside the Agribition trade hall. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)

Inside the trade hall, Alberta artisan Karen Lovell spent her week hand-tying mohair cinches at her Rocky Mountain Mules booth. She travelled nine hours to get to Regina and said the crowds, conversations and custom orders made it well worth the trip.

Lovell has been tying mohair products for nine years after teaching herself the craft when she couldn’t find 100-per-cent mohair cinches on the market.

“People don’t always know what mohair is,” she said. “It’s been nice to educate people about the natural fibre and the good qualities it has.”

This was only Lovell’s second year at Agribition, but she said the steady traffic and friendly atmosphere made the show one of her strongest of the season.

Jeff Ring of Regina sits inside the trade hall on Agribition’s final day. The longtime visitor says he hasn’t missed many shows since his school tour days. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)

Meanwhile, Regina resident Jeff Ring has been coming to Agribition for decades, from school tours as a kid to working the bar in past years. He said the event has always kept its charm, even as the facilities have modernized.

“There’s always something to see,” Ring said. “Even if you’re an urbanite, there’s something for you.”

Ring said his favourite stop is the stock dog trials, and he joked that the final Saturday is always the best day for deals on the show floor. What keeps him coming back, though, is seeing how Agribition evolves each year.

As crews packed up Saturday night, exhibitors were already thinking about next year, whether it was Trask preparing for another season in the show ring, Lovell planning new colours and designs for her cinches, or Ring waiting to see what changes organizers roll out next.

Agribition returns to the REAL District in 2026.

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