A healthy crowd pitched up at the Bouchie Lake Riding Arena for the last event of the season for the Quesnel and District Riding Club (QDRC) on Sunday (Sept. 9).
Around 25 riders and their family members took part in keyhole, poles and barrel racing activities on lavishly decorated horses.
A Bring On The Bling competition was held earlier in the morning, during which horses and their riders were adorned with glitter and jewels. Lucy Lee’s Badger won the award for most ‘blinged’ horse/pony, Erin Reed captured the prize for adult rider and Payden Mycock won for child rider.
Sara Barber, QDRC president, says the season was a busy one and they are working on making it even busier.
“We’ve got a committee at the moment that’s working on getting a roof over the riding arena, so we can ride all year long.” She adds: “We’re hoping to get a bigger storage facility which can in turn become and emergency evacuation centre for Bouchie Lake.”
Barber says the centre would benefit the community and the riding club, making it a win-win situation.
The event brought out several generations of families who were enjoying the day and passing along a love for all things equine.
“The riding club makes a real extended effort to make this a family event,” says Erin Reed, who was sitting astride a large light brown horse holding her granddaughter, Jordan, two, who is almost old enough to start riding.
“She’s going to be in gymkhana next year,” she says, “Probably on this horse. She’s pretty horse crazy!”
Reed wasn’t the only person present with their kin close by.
“My sister-in-law is here with her daughter and granddaughter, we’re here with our granddaughter and there’s another family there where mom and dad are both on horses and their children are both on ponies.
“It’s just a big, social healthy, clean-living to foster community.”
Winners of the barrel race:
Gabby Fouty - 1D
Lilly Borrett - 2D
Jodie Staves - 3D
Amanda Mero - 4D
Payden Mycock - Peewees
Kira Stowell - Juniors
sports@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter