The 5th annual Bar U Ranch Chore Horse Competition got underway on Sunday, September 9, before a crowd of over 400 spectators, who cheered to first place a team of mules driven by Ray VanTighem of Didsbury, AB.
A veteran mule skinner, VanTighem took the title over nine other teamsters driving heavy horses.
Stealing the show was junior teamster Amanda Kemble, 9, who at the start of the event set the stage as she drove her team of Belgians through the competition course, including heavy pull, keyhole, figure eight, and loading dock maneuvers.
Spectators then watched through the sunny afternoon as competitors put their teams through their paces in a remarkable display of skill and coordination.
In addition to prize money this year, first-place honours included a much-sought-after Bar U silver belt buckle hand crafted by Ralph Nelson, past president of the Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association.
Second place went to teamster Verne Kemble, nine-year-old Amanda’s grandfather, of Indus, AB, and third was taken by Dwight Beard, also of Indus, who drove his new team of Standardbreds.
Winning Best Overall Team/ Teamster was Art Hopp, of Patricia, AB, who was presented with a framed photograph of a Bar U Percheron commemorating the 1,000 strong herd of top blood Percherons that 100 years ago made the ranch famous worldwide.
Bar U organizer Deb Pigeon was pleased both by the crowd turnout and warm fall weather that made for a truly enjoyable afternoon.
The Chore Horse Competition grows in attendance every year and it’s such a great family event. It harkens back to a simpler and quieter time in history, when things weren’t as face paced.
