And Nice Nags Tack Inc. is her contribution.

A15

Erin Maloney-Chumney

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Taking a sport you love and turning it into a business, well that just makes sense "" horse sense for Shawna Rinzler-Johnston, owner of Nice Nags Tack Inc.

Located at 180 Edinburgh Drive, in the Moncton Industrial Park, Nice Nags provides horse owners with a large variety of items to assist with everyday horse care. Having been involved in the horse industry from a young age, and following her dedication with a diploma in equine studies from Kemptville College, Rinzler-Johnston has a passion for the horse industry.

"With my love of horses and my college education in equine studies, I just knew there was more I wanted to give to the horse industry," says Rinzler-Johnston. "Nice Nags Tack Inc. is my contribution to all horse lovers." Since December 2006 Rinzler-Johnston has been running Nice Nags Tack Inc., and she saw this as a business opportunity which would service equestrians in the Greater Moncton area.

"After college I just felt I wanted to help people in the industry and I felt by opening Nice Nags and carrying the best of products I could accomplish that." But Moncton isn't the only area that Rinzler-Johnston brings her products to. Since opening, Nice Nags has been a participant in a variety of equine trade shows in the Maritimes, including the Equine Review in Sussex, N.B. and the Atlantic Horse Fair in Truro, N.S.

Often times you can find Rinzler-Johnston in the show ring and running a booth at horse shows across the Maritime Provinces. This allows her to gain exposure and provide a service to other horse owners.

"People at shows have things break, or stuff gets forgotten at home," comments Rinzler-Johnston. "This gives competitors the opportunity to pick up items without having to leave the show grounds." As a new business, providing this service at local events also lets the horse industry know about the store.

"Going to these events gets people to realize we're around. There are a lot of horse owners in the Maritimes who don't know you're there." Supporting the horse industry, like with any sport organization, requires sponsorship and donations. Rinzler-Johnston and Nice Nags are very much a part of ensuring the industry is kept alive in the Maritimes. Nice Nags makes donations to local not for profit groups, like the youth organization, PineHill Pony Club, a branch of the Canadian Pony Club.

"We donate coolers and sponsor classes at many of these events. You need to support the industry or some of these competitions would never get off the ground." Nice Nags Tack Inc. carries products for both English and Western riding disciplines, including Ariat, Charles Owen, Big "D", Omega Alpha, McIntosh, Rambo, Cavalor, Reinsman, Classic Equine, Nutrequin Classic and Montana.

Having started out at the grassroots level herself, Rinzler-Johnston wants her store to provide the same level of service to everyone in the sport, and to help the industry grow here in Moncton.

"I've always loved horses and had my first pony when I was seven - I just totally fell in love with the sport." It's this long-time dedication which Rinzler-Johnston puts into her store.

"Our customers come from all walks of the industry," comments Rinzler-Johnston. "From the beginner riders to the most accomplished." Rinzler-Johnston also owns and operates a private stable in Riverglade, N.B. where she rides and trains to compete in Equine Canada competitions. As a non-practicing Level 1 coach, her love of horses is something she shares with her daughter, Rhianna, who is following in her mother's footsteps.

"My mission is to grow a successful business by expanding our clientele," says Rinzler-Johnston, "And hopefully pass it on to my daughter, who at five already loves the industry."

Nice Nags Tack Inc. is open Monday-Tuesday 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. closed Sundays. Call 388-6247 or e-mail nicenagstack@hotmail.com.