PREECEVILLE - The Etoimamie Valley Riders gymkhana club members concluded its season with a fall windup trail ride at the farm of Tom and Shirley Babchishin on October 16. There were 12 riders and two wagon teams that all participated in the 14-mile trail rider. Rae Rosenkerr and Cameron Last and their teams of horses pulled the wagons along the ride,” said Ronda Palaniuk, club representative.
“It was a beautiful sunny day for the ride and at the half-way point we stopped for hot chocolate, coffee and hotdogs,” stated Palaniuk. “This was the second year the club has combined its fall trail ride and awards night into one event.”
Following the trail ride everyone gathered together for the gymkhana awards portion of the night. Lisa Neilson, club president introduced the event winners and acknowledged the sponsors.
“I would like to thank all the members who helped out and rode at the Sturgis Sports and Rodeo and at the Preeceville Western Weekend. It was great to have old and new members out riding again this year,” said Neilson.
Winners in the wee pee category, barrel, pole bending and games event included Arianna Neilson, who won first place in all three events. She won a grooming kit, horse cookies and a purple lead shank. Jaxon Neilson placed second in all three events and won a green lead shank, a purple bucket, a horse cookie, and a shedding blade and brush. Ryder Beatty placed third in all three events and won a red bucket, a horse feed bucket, candy, and a blue bucket and horse cookies.
In the peewee category that featured barrel, pole bending and games events, Shyann Lindholm won first place in all three categories. Lindholm won various prizes including a bucket, scoop, a red halter and a Canadian Tire gift card. Savannah Neilson placed second in all three categories winning a pink halter, reins and a red lead shank. Mercedes Lindholm placed third in al three events winning a yellow bucket, a purple rope halter, a horse feed bucket and candy.
In the junior category, Alex Neilson was the only entry and he took home the top prizes in all three events that featured barrel, pole bending and games. Prizes that he won included a Nebo flashlight, a trailer tie, horse cookies, and a Mark’s Work Warehouse gift card.
In the senior category, Ronnie Prekaski won all three events that featured barrel, pole bending and games. She won multiple prizes that featured a pair of boots, a Nabo flashlight and a blue hay net. In the barrel event, Lexie Young placed second and won a blue lead shank, Lisa Neilson placed third and won a red fee bucket and a vet wrap. In the pole event, Lisa Neilson placed second and won a purple halter, and Lexie Young placed third winning a horse scoop and a vet wrap. In the games event, Levi Young placed second winning a shedding blade and brush. Lisa Neilson placed third, taking home a bit warmer.
Lexie Young had the fastest barrel time of the year and won a trail cam. She also had the fastest pole time of the year and received a four-litre jug of Chega Alpha Chill.
Ronnie Prekaski won the high point of the year award. Her prizes included mane and tail shampoo, a show sheen and horse cookies.