Chipman Agricultural Society Cutter Rally and Trail Ride

Chipman Agricultural Society Cutter Rally and Trail Ride

Tracy Childs Secretary – Chipman Agricultural Society

March 23, 2019 – It was a fantastic, sunshiny day on Saturday for the Chipman Agricultural Society’s Spring Cutter Rally and Trail Ride. Club members and locals, as well as riders from as far away as Frenchmen Butte, SK and Viking, AB, came out to take part. Members from the Chipman 4H Beef and Multi Club, the Strathcona 4H Rein Riders Club, and the Josephburg Riding Club joined in as well.

Due to the recent melt, the group decided to switch from sleighing in Cutters to rolling in Wagons for the eight-ish mile ride through the Village of Chipman and out around the countryside. Eight teams of horses, with wagons full of passengers, and 18 outriders on horseback started the day with a pancake breakfast at the Chipman Ag Grounds before heading out for the ride. Back at the grounds afterward, everyone warmed up by the fire pit, had a great visit, and pulled the last card for their poker hand. It was a great opportunity to get out, enjoy the spring sunshine, stretch the fuzzy horse’s legs, and catch up with old friends.

There was also a scheduled Skijoring demonstration that, unfortunately, had to be canceled due to the quick snow melt. Lord Strathcona’s Horse members from CFB Namao were going to come out and demonstrate this upcoming sport, where a person skis or snowboards while being pulled by a rider on horseback! The group hopes to reschedule the demonstration for next winter.

Gift Certificates and Trophies for the event were supplied by the Chipman Market, the Chipman Hotel, and iMaGiNaTioN Engraving. They went to Derek Dimmock for Best Team, Lorne McLaughlin for Best Wagon, John Wells for the Oldest Teamster, and a 10-year-old member from the Rein Riders 4H Club for Youngest Outrider. The Poker Hand pot went to Outrider Shaun McLaughlin with three of a kind.

According to Ag Society President, Scott Reid, “This was a great turnout, one of our best yet!”

Watch for the Harvest Wagon Rally and Trail Ride in October, which will feature 12 Farriers challenging their skills in a Blacksmithing Competition. You can find more information about the Chipman Agricultural Society’s upcoming events and initiatives on their facebook page.