From top athletes to the everyday horse lover, the sixth annual Saskatchewan Equine Expo had plenty to offer Saskatchewan’s growing agriculture community.
The horses can stop in an instant and turn on a dime, putting on a show for spectators.
“They have to crave that stop, and they have to have a quick front end to be able to turn around,” said trainer Dale Clearwater. “The fast turn arounds and stuff, you have to have the horse in order to do that.”
Clearwater started riding horses when he was 16 years old. The local trainer won Saturday’s cow horse reining competition. He says the nerves can add up when competing on home turf.
“Everybody knows you and you want to do your best,” he said. “But it’s hard on your innards, I tell you.”
Other competitors are proving that reining is more than just an old boy’s club.
“I was warming up yesterday and it suddenly hit me,” competitor Noreen Feske said. “I’m not only the only non-pro in the crowd – I’m the only girl here. It’s a sport in which women compete on a level playing field with men. And it’s not that we can’t do it, it’s all in the horses you ride.”
Hundreds also flocked to the trade show of the event. Allan Hicks travelled all the way from Millarville, Alta. to show off his saddles.
“Coming (to Saskatoon), I saw lots of activity on the road,” he said. “It looks like business is good in Saskatchewan. Things are turning around, the economy looks positive.”
The Equine Expo will wrap up with the trainer’s challenge on Sunday at 5:00 p.m., with three horsemen showcasing their abilities. Around 9,000 people are expected to attend the expo. Organizers say the large crowd is a testament to Saskatchewan’s growing agriculture community.
“I think the economic impact is significant, the trade show is significant,” said Lori Cates, agriculture manager of Prairieland Park. “It just brings some more awareness to the equine industry here in Saskatchewan.”
Based on a report by CTV's Mark Villani
