Spur the Cure, Kiwanis Fall Fair, Steep Rock ride
Jessica Smith
Not bad for a four-horse town.
Atikokan’s equestrians are small in number, but you wouldn’t know it from the presence they make in the region and the scale of events they host here.
Local riders raised over $1,400 in the Spur the Cure fundraising ride in Murillo for the Northern Cancer Fund, will again provide horse rides at the Kiwanis Fall Fair (Thursday, August 26, only) and are now getting ready for the seventh edition of the Atikokan Equestrian Poker Derby September 18. Organizer Jessica Curtis said the club is anticipating at least 50 horse riders from across the region for the derby, which, she modestly acknowledges “is pretty good for a four horse town.”
On Saturday, August 7, four local riders, Rod and Cathy Hoard, Curtis and Sandy Martin, participated in Spur the Cure and through their local fundraising effort brought in an impressive percentage of the total $8,000 raised by the 60 riders who participated in the Thunder Bay-based fundraiser. Rod and Cathy placed second and third for individual pledges raised.
The group is overwhelmed by the generosity of Atikokanites who contributed pledges, said Cathy. “I think cancer has touched everybody in some way or form,” she said. All of the money raised went directly to helping those with cancer in northwestern Ontario, including services like the Tamarack House.
“A lot of people were asking that the money stay locally. I try to let them know that the money is staying in Thunder Bay area and outlying communities.”
This is the third year for the fundraiser and the second year the Hoards have participated; last year Cathy was the event’s largest pledge-earner and combined, she and Rod raised $1,100.
This year the event featured a scenic three-hour ride along trails and field, followed by dinner and live entertainment.
“It was nice and shady and a bit of a breeze, so it turned out to be a nice day for riding,” said Cathy.
Poker derby
It was also a good opportunity to spread the word about the derby, said Curtis. The result is some Spur participants are now planning to attend.
While the two to three hour trail ride through the Charleson Rec Area and Steep Rock is scheduled Saturday, Curtis said most plan to come for the whole weekend and camp up there. Through CRA funding, the club has purchased eight horse pens and trail signage this year. The pens will be placed under the 20×80 shelter.
There will be trail maps at the information kiosk “so if the participants want to go out Friday night and check out the trails, they can,” she said.
The derby kicks off 10 a.m. Saturday and riders go in groups at their own pace. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three poker hands based on the registration. With already over 40 riders signed up and a month yet to go, Curtis expects this might be one of the best years yet; at least 50 participants are likely, and maybe more than the previous record of 56. Last year’s riders came from both ends of the district including Dorion, Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Dryden.
Equestrians pay $30 for the event, including Saturday’s barbeque dinner at the Sno Ho Chalet, which makes for an inexpensive weekend of camping, trail riding and even horse swimming, in some uniquely beautiful countryside.
As word spreads about the diverse riding opportunities here, the CRA is increasingly attracting outsiders, who may be surprised to learn that Atikokan is only a few horses more than a one-horse town.
Related posts: