Saturday the Battlefords Harness Club Cutter Rally wound its way from the Agrivilla in North Battleford onto trails and backroads around the city.
Club member Jim Schmidt, explains why they changed venues this year.
“We had it at Battleford at the Fort last year. That became a seasonal place, so we had to find an alternate. They aren’t open during the winter, so we decided to come to this side, and the people at the Agricultural Society have been very helpful.”
Plenty of family and friends of all ages waited inside the Agricultural Society complex until their horses and sleighs came to pick them up at around 1 p.m. They had the opportunity to roll dice before and after their ride. Those rolling the highest and lowest scores received prizes at the end of the day.
There was also draws for different types of horse feed, as many of the participants either own or train horses.
Schmidt also talked about how the rally was run.
“You ride with the people in the sleigh, see the scenery in the country, it’s a day outside. At the end you can come inside for a roast beef supper and watch the draws.”
Schmidt says the route headed east from the Agricultural Society grounds, marking the trails on some of the back roads before coming back to the Agrivilla.
Schmidt explains that it’s just about a 10-mile loop around town.
I had the chance to take the tour, and I thoroughly enjoyed what it had to offer. Viewing the beautiful landscape of Saskatchewan, it was a great experience. The entire trip took about two and a half hours and when you aren’t taking in your surroundings, there is plenty of opportunity to talk to the friendly people on your sleigh and watch the beautiful horses trudging along.
Each sleigh had a different structure. There was a wagon that could accommodate up to 10 people and one that was completely closed off and heated. The sleighs, and the horses, came in different shapes and sizes. Some participants even chose to be dragged along on a toboggan for their tour.
It was a warm day that had many smiling and ready for dinner as the tour ended.
All together there were about 77 participants.
The event was put on by the club to promote awareness of equestrian events. Once the harness club is able to cover the cost for their event they donate the remaining funds to a charity of their choice. In the past years they have donated the Town of Battleford to support the trails in the river valley. They have also contributed to the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital and Telemiracle.
