Huber Farm in 70 Mile House hosted another successful carriage driving weekend at the Cariboo Trails Combined Driving Event, July 20-21.
Saturday featured dressage and a timed cone course during which drivers navigated their rigs through and around cones.
On Sunday, folks competed in the marathon, which had competitors drive their horses and carriages through a course that traversed forest land, a hayfield and an obstacle course filled with a variety of eye-catching hazards.
Among the hazards was a western town, a forest of stuffed bears, a stand of giant lollipops and a herd of spooky horse silhouettes. More advanced riders tackled a water hole where they had to manoeuvre between barrels set up in the shallow pond.
“The weather was awesome, the horses, ponies and minis were on their best behaviour, and their drivers did a superb job all weekend long,” says spokesperson Mark McMillan.
Competitors came from the Lower Mainland, the Interior and Fort St. John.
Spectator admission was taken at the gate, and the $243.40 cash and several food items collected were donated to the 100 Mile House Food Bank Society.
Event co-ordinator Ken Huber says the event was a huge success, with 35 entries.
“It was hot and clear both days and we had a steady stream of spectators come through.
“The only thing we could have used more of was volunteers on Sunday. Everyone had a great weekend.”
The 70 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department also got involved, supplying a concession for the two days and dinner on Saturday night.
Results for the weekend events, from first to third are:
Training level class
Miniature horse: Deb Gardner, Armstrong (Arm.); Heather Dolemo, Grindrod; and Katie Iceton, Arm.
Donkey: Pat Strang, Mission (Miss.); and Helen Howell, Miss.
Pony: Alice Bourassa, Powell River; Brenda Burt, Lumby; and Rosalie Turcotte, Miss.
Horse: Elisa Marocchi, 100 Mile House; Janine Payne, Vanderhoof; and Rose Eklund, Quesnel.
Overall training level: Gardner; Bourassa; and Burt.
Preliminary class
Miniature: Howell; Kay Veinotte, Maple Ridge (MR); and Shirley Bradbury, Langley.
Pony: Maureen Pearse, Nanaimo; and Trudy Leishman, Miss.
Pony pair: Kathy Stanley, Green Lake; Betsy Nasmyth, Nelson; and Audrey MacDonald, Pitt Meadows.
Horse: Brian Kurtz, Ladysmith; Dina Popaduik, MR; and Ellen Hockley, Pritchard.
Overall preliminary: Kurtz; Popaduik; and Stanley.
