In what has become one of the most popular events of the Canora Winter Lights Festival, horse-drawn sleigh rides were once again held on November 26.
Over 120 Canora and area residents took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy sleigh rides which started and ended at the Visitor Centre/CN Museum, and headed up and down Main Street.
Organizers declared the two-hour event a wonderful success.
Lloyd Smith of Pelly supplied the sleigh and the horses, a pair of black Percheron full brothers named Tom (13 years old) and Jiggs (12 years old.) Sharing the driving duties with Smith for the evening was his granddaughter Morgan Wallington, who already has about two years of experience as a teamster.
Smith and the two horses had just returned from a successful trip to the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, where they won the Farm Chore Teamster class, besting about a dozen competitors from all over Saskatchewan and into Alberta.
Those who took part in the Canora sleigh rides seemed to thoroughly enjoy the evening, according to Ben Sipple, community development officer.
“People complimented the decorations, friendly and inviting atmosphere, and the sleigh rides themselves,” said Sipple.
He admitted to being a bit concerned about the weather, which was a brisk -17 C, but everyone who went on the rides seemed to be bundled up appropriately.
Smith said he has been giving sleigh rides across the region for about 20 years and enjoys meeting people, especially when they ask him questions relating to his horses.
He has plans to provide his services for several more sleigh rides in Pelly, Kamsack and Norquay over the next month or so.
