Members of the St. Paul community brought out their boots and hats on the weekend to take part in very first St. Paul Horse Poker Rally. The event was hosted by the St. Paul Ag Society and was open to all members of the surrounding communities.
“It’s the first year for the event and we’ve been getting a lot of interest,” said Andre Chamberland, president of the St. Paul Ag Society. “We are hoping to make it an annual event.”
About 80 riders of all ages braved the rainy weather to come out and take part in the ride. Participants gathered about three miles south of town with their horses and rain slickers, along with horse drawn wagons to take part in the event.
The poker rally featured a roughly 20 km long trail ride through local pastureland, with a midway stop point where riders and the wagons stopped for a lunch break. After the ride, participants enjoyed supper at the Ag Corral.
As well as putting on a fun event for the community, the Ag Society also raised money for a cause, which was very important to them. Dave and Karen Wanchuk donated a filly to be won at the event. All of the tickets sales for the prize horse were to be donated to the palliative care unit at the Saint Therese Hospital.
“We weren’t going to be using the horse anyway and this is going to a good cause,” said Karen Wanchuk. “Also you never know when you might have a family member who is going to need palliative care.’
The Ag Society was able to sell all of the tickets for the horse and raised $4,000 to be donated to the palliative care unit in the hospital. “It’s a great place to donate,” said Chamberland. “It benefits all of the community and not just directly St. Paul.”
The Wanchuk’s filly will once again get a chance to raise money for a good cause since the winner of the horse, Denise Cherniwchan, opted to take cash over the horse, since she would have no where to keep it. Ten members of the Ag Society each donated $20 to put towards the value of the horse to award Cherniwchan and then decided to donate the horse to Haying in the 30’s where it will be raffled off once again.
The Ag Society was happy with the turnout of the event for its first time in the St. Paul area and were happy to see people still coming out despite the unfortunate weather conditions.
“We had about 80 people on the rally,” said Chamberland, “I blame that on the weather, we were expecting a lot more, but overall the ride was excellent and everyone who came out had a great time on the ride and were impressed and happy with the length of it.”
After the ride there were also prizes to be won, which included a variety of tack, donated by the Ag Society. First prize went to Laurie Oadsworth of Lloydminster, who was awarded with a complete set of draft size granite harnesses with adjustable collars. Second place went to Henry Brertton Jr., who was awarded with a Billy Cook saddle. Third prize went to Darrel Kuzma who received a belt buckle. Fourth place went to James Morton, who received a set of chaps.
In fifth place was Roger Dallaire, who received a headstall and sixth was Stephanie Theroux who was awarded with a saddle pad.
Overall Chamberland said he is very happy with how the event turned out and is looking forward to doing it all again next year.
