CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN BERTHOUD • 2021
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
8
Horseback caroling and Cowboy Christmas usher in the holiday season By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor For more than two decades, members of Larimer County Horseman’s Association have brought Christmas cheer to Berthoud with their Christmas caroling on horseback. The group is gearing up for the annual event this year that will coincide with the Cowboy Christmas event held by The Rancher’s Wife on Saturday, Nov. 27. The caroling, which began in the early 1990s, originally took place during Christmas in Berthoud and after the cancellation of that event coincided with other Berthoud Chamber of Commerce Events. However, the pairing of Cowboy Christmas, an annual event that celebrates the kick-off of the Christmas Season in and outside the famous grain elevator in town with the horseback carolers has become a perfect pairing. The horses and riders will begin preparing for the ride between 9 and 9:30 a.m. outside of Turner Middle School, many of which will be decked out in full holiday décor. “We enjoy getting out with our horses and dressing them up and getting into the Christmas spirit and sharing it with people who don’t have access to horses.” Said Bonnie Templeton president of the Larimer County Horseman’s Association. Cowboy Christmas will be from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Rancher’s Wife located at 604 Third Street and will include locally made artisan booths, food, Berthoud High School groups fundraising event, miniature horses and ponies, the horseback carolers and of course the man himself Santa Clause will make an appearance for visits and pictures. “We’ll set off from Turner at 10:30 and head down Massachusetts Avenue,” explained Templeton. For those who don’t live in old town Berthoud, Templeton said lining up along Massachusetts Avenue would be a great location to see the horses and enjoy the caroling. Although caroling will take place in front of the Rancher’s Wife, the group will continue through town and stop as they pass pedestrians to sing a carol or two as well so if you do live in the area make sure to step outside to enjoy. “We sing traditional carols,” said Templeton. “Ones that are fairly easy to sing.” Although many riders will be on horseback the group will also be pulling a trailer with hay bales for members who want to participate but aren’t able to bring their horses. The group has members from across Larimer County including families from Berthoud. They are a non-profit 501C3 organization. Formed in 1972 to be an advocacy group for the use of horses in Larimer County, LCHA works hard to ensure future generations will have equine recreational opportuni-
ties in Larimer County. Templeton did say that caroling will be canceled if the roads are icy or unsafe for the horses but said the group is hoping for good weather and looking forward to continuing their tradition, Our horses’ safety is our first priority, she said, but if recent weather patterns stick you might see some folks wearing shorts. Along with caroling, the group holds several other events each year for its members, including ride-outs, evacuation training, educational meetings, picnics and parties. Anyone interested in joining Larimer County Horseman’s Association can visit www.larimerhorseman.org to find out more, or attend one of the group’s meetings listed on the site, which are always free and open to the public.
