By Angela Brown

Battlefords Agricultural Society Light Horse Show participants glad to be competing again

Aug 22, 2021 | 5:58 PM

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask.,— Saturday was a great day for equestrian enthusiasts as the Battlefords Agricultural Society was able to hold its popular Light Horse Show once again.

The event was cancelled last year due to the province’s COVID-19 regulations.

“It was a weird year last year not being able to do anything,” Rhonda Erickson, president of the Battlefords Agricultural Society and a volunteer on the Light Horse Committee, said.

“We just wanted to try to provide some normalcy for our community,” she added of being able to offer the show this year.

The event included a number of draws and prize winnings as an added incentive to participants.

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Among those taking part were Keeley-Shae Somers, 23, with her sister Cassidy, 18, both from Battleford.

“I’m really happy that we are able to have these [events] again because we missed out last year,” Keeley-Shae said. “I’m just excited to be back, and be able to ride with friends and stuff.”

The sisters continue to practice their riding skills near home. They have also been involved with the area 4-H club since they were children.

By midday Saturday, Keeley-Shae already picked up two first-place winnings, while her sister Cassidy garnered two first-place and one second-place spots.

Keeley-Shae said the challenging part in competing is often to calm her horse for more slower-paced events requiring precision after it gets excited while competing in more fast-paced activities.

“It takes a lot of patience and a lot of time to put into the work at home,” she said of how she prepares her horse for competitions.

Madison Flath from Hafford shown at Saturday’s event. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Some of the activities during the day included flag racing, a figure-eight skills competition, what is known as musical tires, and barrel racing.

Participants ranged in age from four to their mid-50s with competitions divided into five different age groups.

Madison Flath competing in the Flag Race for her age group. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Madison Flath, from Hafford, was taking part in the events with her horse Nitro. She was all smiles after garnering second place in the flag race for her age group.

The 20-year-old said she is thrilled to be able to be back competing again this year, with COVID-19 restrictions lifted.

Flath has been riding since she was seven years old. She first became interested in equestrian sports through her friends and from her involvement with the local 4-H club.

“It’s fun to get out and compete,” she said. “You train your horses to work out for this.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow