A powerful and versatile breed of draft horse will get its due at the Percheron Horse Show at the Bar U Ranch National Historical Site on June 19.
It will be the second annual Percheron Horse Show which was held as part of the ranch’s Canada Day activities last year, but it proved to be so popular it was moved so it could be the focal point on Father’s Day.
Marian Anton has been charged with spearheading the horse show at the Bar U and said the event is broken down into several competitions.
“We have 19 classes this year,” she said. “They’re broken down into halter classes where the exhibitors will bring their horses into the ring and show them on halter and new this year we also have cart classes.”
Anton said there would be four cart classes at the Bar U Ranch on Sunday. In the men, ladies and junior divisions, a single Percheron pulls the driver in the cart. In the tandem category a different set up will be used.
“A tandem is where two horses are hooked up one in front of the other,” Anton said. “It used to be done a lot back in the old days. It’s a good way of adding extra pulling power without adding any extra width. On narrow trails it was a way to do things with logging and jobs like that. It’s a little challenging because you have to have a very brave horse out in front, they don’t all want to go out and lead.”
The Percheron breed’s name comes from its origins in the Perche valley in northern France. The well-muscled and intelligent horses have a long tradition in the Canadian west for being reliable workhorses.
Deb Pigeon, administrative assistant at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, said many parts of the province will be featured in the Percheron event.
“We’ve got horses coming from Olds and from out by Penhold,” she said. “Horses from all over southern and central Alberta will come out for the event. A lot of these horses are going to go on to be a part of the show at the Calgary Stampede as well.”
In the halter classes, Pigeon said the event featuring young horse owners and trainers is a fan favourite.
“The Junior Showmanship is very popular,” she said. “The kids can be up to 16 years old. They bring in their horses and they decorate their tails and manes just like they would in a show.”
Pigeon said the Junior Showmanship and the other Percheron events on Sunday are spectator friendly.
“All the classes are held right in the arena,” she said. “Our guests are handily placed to everything that’s going on because the stands are very close. They get to watch the young people working with their horses and see up close how they groom them.”
The Percheron Horse Show begins Sunday at 11 a.m. and Pigeon said the Bar U Ranch is complimenting it with a special meal for dad’s special day.
“Because it’s Father’s Day the café is holding a hot buffet lunch from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.,” she said. “It’s your basic fare. We’ll have ham and Alberta beef and all the fixings that go with them.”
For information on the Bar U Ranch including hours of operation, site admission fees and driving directions go to www.friendsofthebaru.com or call 403-395-2212.
