Vankleek Hill's Hill Top Horse and Buggy Parade

Vankleek Hill's Hill Top Horse and Buggy Parade - July 2007

This years Hilltop Horse and Buggy Parade was a complete success. Early in the day cloudy skies had everyone guessing as to how things would turn out, but before long the sun was shinning and people were looking for a comfortable spot under a shady tree.

The event started at 1:00pm, with the parade, which ran through the town of Vankleek Hill. The parade hosted roughly 30 seperate wagons and equestrian teams from all over the region including a few from our neighbours in Quebec.

After the Parade there was the driving competition with roughly 10 competitors with horses of all ages (6 - 25) and experience. It was nice to see so many people trying this event for the first time. All of whom did very well. The course was a challenging one with 7 obstacles that the horse and driver had to negotiate together. Many of the teams were unable to complete the course succefully until our very own Samme Putzel came along with Always Christmas (otherwise known as Allie) and showed everyone how it should be done. Samme and Allie completed the course with no faults.

There was one other team from Quebec that completed the course with no faults leaving the crowd in suspense as they watched the tie breaking round. A challenging request made by the event co-ordinator Phil Arber, to cross the bridge backwards. This, as anyone who knows anything about horses is a big request. It's tough enough to get them to cross a bridge going forwards...let alone going backwards.

Samme was the first competitor up and incredibly passed the obstacle on the first try. The other competitor made a great effor to get her horse across, coming close many times, but unfortunately she was not able to complete the challenge. In the end Samme won the day for McAlpine Equestrian Centre.

All of the fans, including her beloved team of followers, were very proud of her!

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