The Estevan Exhibition Association (EEA) is gearing up for an exciting event on Sunday, September 22, with their Obstacle Course Fun Day & Tack Sale, an equine event that promises fun for both horses and their handlers. Along with the obstacle course, this year’s event features a new addition: a K9 fun obstacle course for dog enthusiasts.
Valerie Paulson, one of the organizers, reflected on last year’s success, saying, "Last year was really fun. We had a lot of people come out. And we had a lot of people that were asking, can we do it again?"
This year’s equine obstacle course will include eight classes, broken down into different age groups, with categories such as novice horse/rider, in-hand, classic (age 60+), adult, youth, peewee, and open. According to Paulson, the event offers riders a chance to bond with their horses and test their skills. "We are hoping that the horses are going to learn some things. They're going to be exposed to some new obstacles, and just get the horses out and the people out, and get them working together," she explained.
New to this year’s lineup is the K9 obstacle course, an idea that grew from personal experience. Sharon Carlson shared the inspiration behind the addition: “Sharon and I attended an event this summer that included a canine division there as well. So we thought we would give it a go here, knowing there's a lot of interest in the area.” Carlson emphasized that the K9 obstacle course is designed to be a light-hearted experience for dogs and their owners, with both on-leash and off-leash classes available.
Paulson encouraged participants to register early, though entries will be accepted until 10 a.m. on the day of the event. “It's very helpful for our committee if you can pre-enter so that we can have this all organized and not be waiting for the last minute,” she said, noting that classes will cost $25 each, with a jackpot class priced at $30.
Volunteers are also welcome to help with the event. "Absolutely, we're looking for volunteers. If you can spend a little bit of time, we could use some gatekeepers," Paulson said. Those interested can reach out through the EEA’s Facebook page or contact Stacy at 306-421-2262 for more information.
Organizing the event is no small feat, but Paulson expressed excitement about the challenge. "It's really exciting to see those horses get through those courses and see some of the younger kids coming up and getting their horses through. And that's the whole point of this, is giving them something else of a challenge out there rather than just riding around in a pasture."