Members of the Red River Riding and Roping Arena wave at residents of long term care homes in Prince Albert on Saturday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Seasons Greetings

Local riding organization surprises long-term care residents with parade

Dec 19, 2020 | 5:57 PM

The Red River Riding and Roping Arena (RRRR) gave seniors a special holiday treat with Christmas right around the corner.

Saturday afternoon, members of the RRRR, along with their horses, paraded by Pineview Terrace, Herb Bassett Home and Mont St. Joseph Home with one goal in mind, to brighten the residents’ day.

With five horses, the group went to each home with a police escort and waved at the seniors through their windows.

The group received a police escort around the long-term care homes. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

President of the RRRR, Candice Sinitoski, said they organized the event because this year has been tough on a lot of people, including those in the homes.

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“We decided we were going to get a group together and ride around and knock on the windows,” she said. “We can’t go in; they can’t come out, so then we just went on the outside and waved and it was awesome.”

The parade featured children and adults of all ages, which brought many smiles from the residents. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

Residents of the homes waved and smiled as the group passed by and Sinitoski said they just wanted to give back to the community and the seniors.

“Yes, we do have to be apart this year, but that’s life and seeing the smiles today was almost tearful they were so happy,” Sinitoski said.

The weather played a chilling factor for the group with a wind chill of -19 C, according to Environment Canada. Sinitoski said they’re going to do it again in the spring when it is warmer.

Many residents had the opportunity to wave at the members as they walked by. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

A resident waves at one of the parade participants on Saturday when the RRRR visited three care homes. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

A resident waves at one of the parade participants on Saturday when the RRRR visited three care homes. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow