The Trekkers are as passionate about their hobby as Trekkies.
The Souris Valley Trekkers hosted their annual saddle ride on Sept. 29, starting as usual from the centre of the village of Roche Percee. The ride is the final one of the season for the Trekkers who hostd a wagon ride earlier in the summer.
About 30 riders gathered in the village, where they mounted their horses before setting off for the trails to the west. The day was capped off when the group returned and had food and drinks served for everyone.
Prior to last week's ride, Don Wyatt, president of Souris Valley Trekkers, said he expected the trails whould be in good shape after the past two years they have encountered mostly wet conditions.
"They'll be dry. I haven't been out on them lately, but they'll be dry, so they'll be able to get to spots they couldn't get to the last couple of years," he said. "Even in the summer the year before, we couldn't cross the river because the water was too high."
He expected they would be able to cross at low-level sections along the river this time around.
Unlike the summer ride, Wyatt noted the ride consists of saddle horses only and no wagons because there are several spots where it isn't reasonable to take a wagon such as the river crossings.
The riders took lunches with them to eat on the trail and got back in the late afternoon for a barbecue.
Wyatt has been with the Trekkers from the beginning, before he even had a horse. He said what really drives people to these rides is the beauty of the Roche Percee valley.
"I think in the surrounding area, it's the biggest thing for this one in the fall especially," said Wyatt. "And it's one final kick at the cat to get out and ride your horse. A lot of people don't have any place to go out, except maybe the ditches to go out and ride. It's a last kick at the cat to go out and ride in out of the way places."
He said there's also the fellowship aspect of getting out again with the different horse people everyone meets over the years. He noted that they often meet new people there as well.
"This one's a little more localized because it's only one day, and it's hard to travel a long way for a one-day ride," Wyatt added.
Wyatt wasn't able to attend the ride because he, along with his wife, were busy at the South East Corner Team Penning Series. The pair attended provincials earlier this year and the event, hosted near Roche Percee this past weekend, was one of the last of the season. Finals will be held next weekend in Corning.
