Category Archives: Agriculture Events

The City Gets a Taste of Country

by
Reply

What do you get when you put a whole bunch of children, farm animals, a rodeo, and farm equipment all in one building? Aggie Days!!!! This past week the Stampede has dedicated there time to teaching kids all about the farm life. Many people don’t realize that unless you grew up on a farm or close to one children may not know where milk, eggs, beef, pork or grain for their bread come from.

The two Stampede Princesses, Indian Princess and I have spent all week participating in Aggie Days and sharing our love for the rural lifestyle. Each morning we would attend the rodeo that was put on at the Corral. The first two days were for school groups only. All the classes came piling in and filled the majority of the seats. It was amazing to see so many kids experience there first rodeo. The rodeo had four events, Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Barrels, and of course the kids favorite Bull Riding. We would sit in the crowd and help cheer on the cowboys and cowgirls. When it was time for the Barrels the Catherine, Danielle, Amber, and I would help Harry the Horse demonstrate how the pattern was done. This consisted of three of us pretending to be barrels and one running the course with Harry, every once in a while we get to have a little fun! At the end of each rodeo the Royalty along with the cowboys and Ranch Girls would go into the arena and sign autographs for all the children.

IMG_0340   IMG_0486

 

Everyone year at Aggie Days the Queens Alumni puts on an event called Giddy Up. This is where children with special needs and their families can come and experience Aggie Days without such a huge crowd. It is reserved just for them. We started our morning off by posing in a photoshoot with each child and a friendly little pigmy goat we named “Muffy.” Each child was so excited to be there and it was wonderful being a part of that experience for them

.IMG_0500

The Indian Princess and I also had the opportunity to read a book to a group of children in the Scholastics reading corner. I have never seen a group of children sit so quietly and listen to the entire book. They soaked in every world that was read. After the book reading they were able to pick out a book that was about other farm animals or farming lifestyle to take home, all free from the Scholastic Books.

It may only be April but Stampede is getting closer and closer. Our schedules are filling up fast and before we know it Stampede will be here!!! Stay tuned to hear about the next events we attend!

Aggie Days: Free Fun for the Whole Family

by
Reply

Looking for something to do with the kids next weekend?  Pop over to Aggie Days at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park on Sat, April 13 and Sun, April 14. This FREE annual event is guaranteed to be a fun day for the entire family.

Aggie Days

If your kids love animals you won’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to see more than 100,000 square feet of agricultural exhibits with cows, sheep, and horses; plus farmers, ranchers, blacksmiths and more.

Attendees will get to try hands-on activities like cow milking, seed planting, and watch sheep shearing and stock dog demonstrations.

CS Aggie Days

As much of our society becomes further removed from life on the farm it’s important to preserve the rural-urban connection, and ensure the next generation knows where the items they purchase at the grocery store come from.

“Aggie Days is committed to educating children and adults about agriculture through unique and interactive displays,” says Connie James, Chair of the Agriculture Education committee. “It is an industry that we depend on heavily; however, so many people are unfamiliar with it. Aggie Days gives children and adults the opportunity to make a connection between the food they eat and the farms that grow it.”

bolo ties

Stop by the Next Generation Committee’s display where kids can hand-craft their very own bolo tie, and parents can get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your Calgary Stampede experience this July!

Plus, we’ll have details about our amazing contest for those who are on Twitter and Instagram, with multiple chances to win some amazing prizes between now and Stampede.

2013-aggie-days-schedule

More information on Aggie Days can be found here. 2013-aggie-days-floor-plan

Farming Amongst the Skyscrapers

by

BMO kids day started with going to the pancake breakfast and showing off her newly acquired flapjack talents (thank you Stampede Caravan Committee!). Volunteers from the Stampede and BMO alike flocked to the stations and the families were fed and watered. Jovita met the BMO Junior Reporters, who were big celebrities at the breakfast. They were being interviewed by TV stations, had a personal camera man who followed them around, and even got a special balloon hat from the clown (jealous!). There could not have been a more worthy pair in the crowd, their smiles were infectious.

 

At lunch time on kid’s day, we went to collect fresh milk for the cookies in our RV (yum!).            We met Debbie Lee, who showed us the new Alberta Milk display, which has a practice milking machine! We both beat the posted farmer’s time (but may have a had a helping hand from Debbie). Now that we had earned our milking stripes, it was time to try it out on Holstein Delilah. We brought her outside so that the kids could watch as Jovita struggled and Arielle excelled in the hand milking portion. After this we deftly attached the machine and Debbie explained the pasteurization process to the kids. Even though right after we were done Delilah decided to poop on our boots, we both managed to give her some love in the form of nose kisses.

 

We spent the afternoon hanging out at the Barns with the Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Committee. Walking through the Shed Rows was nothing short of surreal. The horses were strong, beautiful, and spirited. Arielle felt like she was in the movie Seabiscuit.

(Arielle: I’m not gonna lie – I’m okay with cows, but there’s something about horses that terrify me. I’m pretty sure this one wanted to eat me.)

 

 

 

If you’ve been to the Stampede this past week, you will understand how uncomfortable we were from the heat at times. Well, thank the lucky stars, we found some AC – followed by loud cheering from the two of us.

Showcasing an ‘heirloom’: the No. 1 Centennial Saddle at the Wall Art Sale

by

What is ‘art’? According to aesthetic principles (and the Merriam-Webster dictionary), it is that which is beautiful, appealing, or extraordinary.  We all recognize that art is subjective.  What one finds alluring or captivating, another may view as sub-standard.  Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

On Thursday night (June 7th) I had the distinct opportunity to rub elbows with artists and art aficionados at the Calgary Stampede Western Art Committee’s “Wall Art Sale” held at the Ranchmen’s Club.  It was a charity event – a first for the Committee – to raise money for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation and the Calgary Stampede Foundation youth programs. Up for sale / auction was a selection of amazing pieces by artists that will have other works on display at this year’s Stampede. Most of the pieces were smaller ones. Characterized as “carry-away”, these unique pieces of art were ones you could easily pick up after a quick zip of your credit card and some nice cellophane packaging by cheerful Western Art Committee volunteers.

While perhaps not considered to be ‘art’ in the traditional sense by some, there is no denying the craftsmanship of leather tooling and saddlery.  The Centennial saddle, although not available for purchase at the “Wall Art Sale”, was on display and is most certainly an extraordinary example of leather artisanship. It’s a beaut’ – as I ‘behold’ it anyway! The Calgary Stampede’s Western Performance Horse (WPH) Committee commissioned Vic Bennett (out of Sherwood Park, Alberta) to craft 100 All-Round saddles for this year’s Centennial year.  These saddles (numbered 1 to 100) are custom-made, beautifully-designed and available for sale to anyone who was interested in purchasing what was sure to be one of the most unique souvenirs in the history of the Calgary Stampede.  The one on display at the “Wall Art Sale” is the ‘grand-daddy’ of all saddles – it is the No. 1 Centennial Saddle (and is inscribed as such, as are all Centennial saddles).

The affable and very statuesque, Angela Pipe (Vice Chair of the Western Performance Horse Committee), was on hand at the “Wall Art Sale” to answer all manners of questions on how the idea for the Centennial saddles transpired. 

Me: “One hundred saddles! That’s a lot of saddles to craft. That’s a lot of saddles to sell!”

Angela: “It most certainly is! I’m sure that Vic Bennett and his team of saddle-makers have had a few sleepless nights over the past few months.  As for the WPH Committee, we had a few nail-biting months where only a small number of the saddles actually sold. But we breathed a collective sigh of relief by the end of March 2012.  People started catching Stampede fever and by March 29th 2012, ALL available saddles were sold. Once people started realizing the historical value of the saddle; that the essence of what became the Calgary Stampede all started with someone on a saddle; they started to sell and they sold fast!”

As of today, all have been sold except for No. 1. I was pleased to have the opportunity to see the remaining Centennial Saddle at the “Wall Art Sale”.  If you missed viewing this ‘grand-daddy’ of Centennial Saddles, you still have a chance to see it. It will be auctioned off at the Western Art Showcase on July 12, 2012.  This saddle will be an heirloom, a invaluable part of Stampede history! It will undoubtedly be a great conversation piece – something that a winning bidder will treasure for years to come. Stop by the Western Art Showcase and check it out. Make a bid! What a great idea to commemorate the 100th year of the Calgary Stampede!

 

 

The Light Horse Committee Celebrates 35 Years!

by

The first time I laid eyes on Gus McCollister was at a Light Horse Committee meeting in early April of this year.  As a Committee newbie, I shyly grabbed a glass of ‘social’ and settled into my surroundings, content just to observe the proceedings.  I very soon realized that Gus McCollister was a force to be reckoned with.  When Gus spoke, folks listened.

Gus is the first person to downplay the value that she quite clearly adds to Light Horse Committee and the Calgary Stampede overall.  This colourful woman not only has the knowledge but she has the experience!  Gus McCollister has been affiliated with the Light Horse Committee since it was established in the 1970s, serving as Chairman for nine of those years.  And for those of you that weren’t aware, the Light Horse Committee celebrates its 35th anniversary with the Calgary Stampede!

I was delighted to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with Gus McCollister this past week.  When I say that Gus is colourful, I mean that literally.  She showed up decked out in a brilliant fuchsia shirt sporting some incredibly avante-guarde jewellery. Gus brought with her an air of quiet confidence and an incredibly warm smile. Here is a bit of our conversation:

Gus: "Young people really are the necessary lifeblood of the Light Horse Committee."

How did you come to be involved with the Light Horse Committee and the Calgary Stampede?

Gus: The Committee was created 35 years ago, in 1977, and I came on board as a representative for the Peruvian horse.  Everyone on the Committee represented a breed at that time. Things were pretty informal in many ways, we didn’t really take minutes.  We just got together and talked about what needed to be done and when it had to be done and we made plans to do it.  That’s how things were done back then.

Over the years, how has the Light Horse Committee evolved?

Gus: The goal of the Committee is to expose the public to the different breeds of horses and encourage families to use the horse for their recreation activities. Our committee was a creative bunch. In 1977, we came up with our first Committee name and logo – “Horse Heaven 77”. Then in 1978, we decided on “Horses are Great in 78”. Then there was “Horses Shine in 79”. By 1980, no one could come up with anything that rhymed with ‘80’ so we just decided to call the Committee “Horse Haven”. We’ve gone through many names since – even “Gus’ Gultch”! We started out in the old blue barns.   They were situated where the Saddle Dome is now.  After the blue barns were torn down, we moved into the North end of the Agriculture Building then, later, onto the south end.

The thing that brought our Committee and its breed representatives together the most was when we decided to build our “town”. Each breed represented a building or business in the town – bank, grocery store, jail, so on.  We had a big town square.  There, we set up a theatre complete with big screen TV and a VCR for a space for folks to watch old western movies. It was a place for people to come and sit. That was great!

It has all been a fun time for me.  I have seen many breed reps come and go.  Through it all, the horse has always been the top billing.  The people representing their breeds have gone to great lengths to promote the horse.  I hope that this will continue.

What has been key to the growth and development of the Light Horse Committee over the years?  

Gus: After so many years… after participating on the Committee, you’re ideas get so stale.  What we always needed were new, young people to come on board.  Young people really are the necessary lifeblood of this Committee.  They contribute to discussions and they are enthusiastic sources of new ideas. These young people always seem to come up with ways to make things run better too! 

When I asked Gus to share with me some of her more memorable Light Horse moments over the years, she was quick to smile and quick to share!  Like the year when the animals from the petting zoo escaped and got into the blue barns.  It took quite some time to gather all those critters up! One year, she and another Stampede volunteer dressed up in an elaborate “horse and rider” costume and strolled around the Stampede grounds, pushing their way into shows, creating a bit of comedic chaos and generating quite a few laughs. Rumor has it that they even crashed Ian Miller’s victory ride at Spruce Meadows one year in this “horse and rider” ‘get up’!  Apparently, Gus is not afraid to push the boundaries of her role on this Committee!

Gus is an incredible blend of colour, style and organizational saavy.  I was impressed by this amazing woman and by her warm, kind nature.  It was a pleasure to chat with her, to get to know her and to get some history on the Light Horse Committee.

Gus McCollister was born and raised in Toronto (on the ‘rough side of the tracks’ as she puts it, where she honed her ‘survival’ techniques ;o) ).  Gus came to Alberta in the mid 1950s, met her husband Alton and they settled near Lyalta where they have a grain and cattle operation.  In addition to celebrating the Light Horse Committee’s 35th this year, Gus and Alton are also celebrating their 55th Wedding anniversary!  It is a year of milestones for this very dedicated Stampede volunteer!

Gus’ favourite inspirational quote: “Life is not about learning to survive the storm, but rather learning to dance in the rain.”

Words to live by, I’d say!

 

Aggie Days and Urban Agriculture

by

Aggie Days runs April 18-21, 2012 and is focused on promoting sustainable agriculture practices, primarily in a rural setting. It’s basically a 100,000 square foot classroom with programming that provides about 10,000 school children and family members with a basic understanding of where our food comes from. The program is driven by the Alberta Education curriculum.

When it comes to education surrounding urban agriculture, we partner up with the Calgary Horticultural Society on “Rooted In The City” – an interactive “neighborhood” displaying various aspects of urban food growing as well as backyard, container, balcony and community gardens. This program will run during Stampede, July 6-16 2012.

More information on Aggie Days, can be found here http://ag.calgarystampede.com/events/aggie-days/

Bringing Out the Big Guns at the Heavy Horse Show.

by

The first four days of Stampede are host to many activities, and as we can all attest, it’s exciting, overwhelming, and hot (if we’re lucky). This first weekend is a rush to be, do, and see, but next year when you’re bordering heat stroke and need a reprieve to digest your Kubi Korn Balls take a seat in the Saddledome for the Heavy Horse Show presented by Halliburton.

This show, organized by the Stampede’ Heavy Horse committee, features all the big boys and girls. Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and Shires compete in more than 100 classes over four days, including entries of cart-drawn single horses, two-horse teams, three-horse unicorn hitches, and four- and six-horse hitches. Draft horses have been shown at Stampede Park every year since 1885 as part of the fair which later became known as the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. Now, the international equine community recognizes the Calgary Stampede as being one of the premier draft horse showcases.

If you can only hit one show, make sure it’s the undisputed highlight – Sunday’s World Championship Six Horse Hitch competition. Now in its 12th season accompanied by members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, these big beauties really do seem to ‘dance’ to the music. 14 ‘turnouts’ (carts drawn by three ‘teams’ of horses) from across North America are judged on conformation, presentation, driving and reinmanship for the World Champion title, and $10,000 prize.

In this particular competition, carts are hitched to six horses, each with their own set of reigns and role in the team. The front two horses (called the leaders) are the smallest, they make the first impression on the judge, set the pace, and are more aggressive. The center team (called the swings) help to make a rounded turn in the corners, and the team closest to the wagon actually steer and pull it.

Each of these giants generates over 3.5 horsepower, and with all 14 rigs in the ring (see photo) there was over 84 tonnes of horse. So who reigned supreme? Last years champions, Jackson Fork Ranch, an all mare Percheron team from Bondurant Wyoming (victory lap displayed in video below) won in a drive-off. Owned by J. Joseph Ricketts and driven by Brian Coleman, this sextet is the only team in the competition to be completely female.

Congratulations ladies!

Cowboy Up competitors are hittin’ the dusty trail

by

Well, the Cowboy Up Challenge is done for another year. This was the second year for this exciting competition and it’s just getting bigger and better. The final course, among other things, required the riders to drag a clown on a cowhide…at speed…around the arena. The clown was actually the son of judge Pete Fraser, who I spoke to about team penning just the other day.

Missouri cowboy Runt Rageth (also known as William, but that’s not as fun) and his horse Burdock won the buckle, the big cheque and the bragging rights as 2011 Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge Champion. Stay tuned for my interview with him, and a few other winners. Check out all of the results here.

On Sunday, I chatted with Cowboy Up Challenge judge Doug Adams. Doug grew up rodeoing with Cowboy Up creator Craig Cameron and has come all the way from Boerne, TX to help decide which cowboy or cowgirl is worthy of the title.

And on Monday, I chatted with the man himself, Craig Cameron. I talked to Craig way back in April when he was here for Aggie Days doing a clinic. Unfortunately, I don’t have the mad filming skills that Reg Tiangha has, so that interview probably will never see the light of day.

For more Cowboy Up fun, check out my fellow Promotion Committee volunteer Donna McTaggart‘s photo album here. She’s got some great shots of all the obstacles that will give you a good idea as to just how challenging these courses really are. And if you missed it, my interview with 2010 champion Glenn Stewart is available here.

Keepin’ it in the family

by

Team penning is one of the fastest equine sports featured at the Stampede. A trio of riders have to run into a herd of cattle, sort out three of the same number (which is revealed by the announcer on their way down) and move them into a pen at the other end of the arena…all within one minute.

One of the best things about team penning is that it’s all about families. Many teams are made of up members of the same family and it’s one of the rare sports that parents can play at the same level as their kids.

One of these families is the Armstrong family, from Armstrong, BC. I spoke with them the other day as they were preparing for the open class on Sunday night. Bob Armstrong and his three sons – Russell, Graham and Justin – all compete together. Not only are they some of the tallest people I have ever met, they are also some of the nicest. The Armstrongs found some success at the Stampede:  Justin and Russell, with their partner Kurt Robson, captured third place; Bob and Graham, with Thomas Thorlakson, were seventh, and Justin and Graham, with Pat Bolin, were right behind them in eighth. All of the results of the Stampede ag competitions are available on their website.

I also spoke with Dave Fraser. Dave is a penning horse trainer from Claresholm, AB (coincidentally, also where I went to high school). Dave and his teammates Pat Bolin and Ron Scott scored sixth place.

Rounding out my team penning interviews was a conversation with Pete Fraser. Pete is a member of the Western Performance Horse committee and is also one of the judges of the Cowboy Up Challenge. Pete is from High River and has been in the horse industry for many, many years. I think he does just about everything.

Congratulations to all of the team penners at this years’ Calgary Stampede! For more information about penning, check out the Canadian Team Cattle Penning Association (CTCPA).

Cowboy Up Challenge heats up

by

The Cowboy Up Challenge is one of the Calgary Stampede’s newest and fastest growing sports. I blogged about this way back in April, when creator and host Craig Cameron hosted a clinic for aspiring competitors.

Well, it’s finally time for the big show and the competitors have been tearing up the course vying for the championship. There are 14 cowboys and cowgirls putting themselves and their horses to the test this year, from all over North America.

One of them is Glenn Stewart of Baldonnel, BC. He’s the reigning 2010 champion and he’s here to try and repeat his success (you can watch all of his runs here). I managed to snag Glenn after his run on Saturday to talk about the sport, his horse and what Cowboy Up is growing so quickly.

The finals will be held on Monday, July 11 at 3 p.m. at the Saddledome. I’ve heard the course is one of the most difficult that has ever been designed, and will truly test both horse and rider. It’s a definite must-see.

2011 Cowboy Up Challenge Competitors
Jim Anderson, Strathmore, Alberta
Steven Barrett, Wheatland, Indiana
Robin Bond, Vista, California
Tammy Botsford, Rockyview, Alberta
Teala Caton, Eckville, Alberta
Benjamin Collins, Choteau, Montana
Jonathon Cooper, Cremona, Alberta
Kateri Cowley, Exshaw, Alberta
Corinne Lindquist, Perris, California
Russ McKenzie, Eckville, Alberta
Adrian Neufeld, Olds, Alberta
Runt Rageth, Harris, Missouri
Chris Redden, Ravenwood, Missouri
Glenn Stewart, Baldonnel, British Columbia

Craig Cameron clinic takes Aggie Days to the extreme

by

One could say that the life of a cowboy is extreme enough. But the Calgary Stampede is really taking it to the next level with the Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge on July 9-11, 2011.

 

The “Extreme Cowboy Race,” one of the fastest growing equine sports. The extreme cowboy race is a timed and judged event. Horse and rider race through a series of obstacles designed to push them both out of their comfort zones. Sort cattle, shoot arrows from the back of the horse, jump logs and other obstacles, run through plastic curtains, carry hay, go through water crossings…the list goes on.

 

A rider myself, I have competed in events similar to this (maybe just a bit less extreme) and I can tell you, from experience, this is a lot harder than it sounds.

 

Native Texan Craig Cameron is the man behind the sport. He actually started with a reality TV show, challenging cowboys from across the US to participate in races at his Double Horn Ranch in Bluff Dale, TX. The TV show sparked interest across North America. In 2009, the first year of competition, the Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA) held 70 events in 22 states.

 

Cameron is in Calgary this week to host a clinic and demonstration for Canadian cowboys (and cowgirls) interested in competing in this fast-paced sport. Check out the demonstrations during Aggie Days on April 9 & 10 at the Stampede Corral.

 

This is the second year for the Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge. Click the link below for a clip of the 2010 winner, Glenn Stewart and Genuine Jet Smooth.

 

2010 Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge Winner Glenn Stewart

 

Cutting Horse – A Dance

by

This week at the Stampede Corral we have the Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity and I’ve had a few people stop and ask me just what the sport of “Cutting Horse” is. Simply put: It’s a dance between a horse and a calf. Well, there’s a little bit more to it than that so here’s a better explaination:

While watching the equine sport of cutting, lots of people compare it to an intricate dance of horse, rider and cow. It is truly a treat to watch all three working together. It began as a competition for bragging rights between working cowboys to find who had the most “cow wise” horse. Nowadays it is the cutting horse’s job to separate cattle from the herd for vaccinating, castrating, and sorting.

In the competition, the horse and rider select and separate a cow (typically a steer or heifer) out of a small group. The cow then tries to return to its herd; the rider loosens the reins (”puts his hand down” in cowboy parlance) and leaves it entirely to the horse to keep the cow separated, a job the best horses do with relish, savvy and style. A contestant has 2 ½ minutes to show the horse; typically three cows are cut during a run, although working only two cows is acceptable. A judge awards points to the cutter based on a scale that ranges from 60 to 80, with 70 considered average.

Today, cutting is one of rodeo’s fastest-growing events. Cutters and cutting fans alike all share a feeling for the Old West, and a heartfelt love of horses.

This is pure communication between cow and horse; the rider, sadly, is merely just a passenger.

An interesting “did you know” fact about the Canadian Cutting Horse Association: It’s under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

For more information on the sport of cutting, see here.

And for those of you who can’t get down to the Stampede Corral for this family friendly “free” event, we are broadcasting it live for you here:  http://calgarystampede.com/ustream. For more information on this week’s Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity, see http://bit.ly/9YdQPA

Dot & Dolly on hanging around Draft Horse Town and tipping the scales

by

Making new friends every day.

Learning to make horseshoes.

I love those Calgary Fiddlers.

It’s been a great time at the Stampede, but yesterday was one of the most exciting. Dot and I had the day off and hung around the centre of Draft Horse Town, just visiting with people. We got to watch roadbuilding demonstrations; my pals pulling the firefighter’s pumper wagon; and wagon wheel building by the wheelrights – all really interesting – usually we don’t see what we pull because it’s behind us. I have a new appreciation for the technology which goes into making it easier for us to pull. It was a really hot day, but I was thankful to be out amongst the action.

The heavy horse “Pull” teams arrived today. I thought the show hitch horses were impressive, but these guys are unbelievable. Some of them weigh 2500 lbs each and they train for hours every day. Each team had to weigh in so they could be put into light, medium or heavyweight categories. Dot and I thought it would be fun to see how fit we were, so we stepped on the scale too. Dot weighed in at 1704 lbs and, as usual, I topped the charts at 1938 lbs – pretty much the same as I was before I started training. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do – it’s clear that fat weighs more than muscle!!

We are looking forward to watching the pulling competitions over the next few nights. Each night at 7:00 pm, the pullers compete in the Big Top tent. Dot and I won’t get to actually watch (something about not having big enough seats for us), but we will hang out with the pullers in the barn after the competition. From what I know, it is a ‘must see’ event.

In the meantime, come down and see us in Draft Horse Town, where we have regular demonstrations with military equipment, roadbuilding, farm equipment, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, firefighting and all kinds of fun events including live music and a cowboy poet. Dot and I will be waiting to see you. Check out these videos – making ice cream and that’s me getting a foot massage – from our new friends at the Calgary Sun.

Dot & Dolly brave the rain and look forward to better weather

by

Is that Tug or Tess? I can never tell.

There is nothing like a little rain to put a damper on festivities, but we still kept active at Draft Horse Town yesterday. We did some demonstrations in the pouring rain, but our human audience was maybe a little less enthusiastic than we were. For Dot and I, a few drops of moisture are refreshing, but it’s been amusing to watch all these humans with their layered raincoats, slickers and umbrellas – thank goodness we weren’t born hairless like those sad creatures!

We moved rooms yesterday, as some of the big “hitch” horses moved off the grounds, making ready for the arrival of the Heavy Horse Pull competitors. The pullers arrive today and will be active all the way through to the end of Stampede. Watching a Heavy Horse Pull is an amazing experience. The strength of the teams is hard for us farm teams to imagine – can you tell that I’m a fan? Last year, teams were pulling weights of over 12,000 lbs in the Big Top tent – a 3 to 1 weight ratio. Our new rooms are right in the Agriculture building, so we’re a little closer to the action. For Dot, she’s already eyeing up some of the muscular new ‘studs’ arriving in the Draft Horse Town Athletes Village.

I'm pretty sure this is Licorice from the Bar U Ranch.

I am awaiting big news this afternoon as Dot and I will be amongst all the Pulling teams at the weigh scale. They get classed into pulling categories (light, medium or heavyweight) by stepping on the scale. For me, I’m anxious to see if all this Draft Horse Town activity has finally helped me lose weight. I feel slimmer, but it’s still a struggle for me – I’m just big boned.

In the meantime, we have some new features arriving at Draft Horse Town. For Kid’s Day today we’ve got a mom & tot (a Clydesdale mare and foal) beside the Town Office. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll be offering free photos of your visit to Draft Horse Town. There will also be guest visits from the Calgary Fiddlers, even a cowboy poet; plus ongoing demonstrations of all that great equipment, including the amazing pump wagon brought by the Calgary Firefighters Museum.

Tug & Tess pose on top of an "elevating grader" that built some of Alberta's roads.

See you down here!