The horse and rider had only six minutes.
In that time, they had to navigate an obstacle course that included a narrow gate filled with pool noodles, a bar the horse had to push or pull, a stand that buckled under the horse due to rolling logs underneath, and a seesaw.
All that was part of a Canadian Cowboys Challenge demonstration at this year’s Melfort Exhibition. The sport, which is a western riding event, can be described as trail riding on steroids. Points are assigned based on how well a rider deals with an obstacle.
Jackie James, the demo presenter, said she got into it because it’s open to all age levels.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, how young you are, how good your horse is or how bad your horse is,” said the Alysham resident. “You’re not really competing against anybody else, you’re competing against yourself, the obstacle and the clock.”
James said the sport has been around for a few years.
“We’re trying to get it more popular in Saskatchewan. It’s very popular in Alberta.”
James said she gave the demonstration at the exhibition because Kim Eskowich, the executive director of the Melfort Agricultural Society, asked her to.
“I was at a tourism event with him. I just showed him what we’d been doing on the weekend – we had just had this challenge – and I showed him the video of one of the runs and he said, ‘that’s new. I’d like to see that.’”
The demonstration wasn’t the only event at the Exhibition, which went from July 21 to 23. There was also a midway full of rides, a petting zoo, vintage tractor pulls, barrel racing, band performances, a hypnotist, chuckwagon races, exhibits and motocross racing.
James said the Canadian Cowboys Challenge is flexible enough that anything can be used as an obstacle.
“Anything that’s in your yard that you want to use or build,” she said. “As long as it is safe for the horse and rider, it is an acceptable obstacle.”
Of course, the obstacle should match the rider’s skill level so that it is challenging yet fun for all involved.
