Pemberton will play host to a prestigious horse event this weekend. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is bringing its charity trail ride to the Dreamcatcher Meadows Ranch in Pemberton from Aug. 5 to 7.
This is the first time the event will be held in Canada, and Pemberton was chosen from several venues to host the ride. The event is expected to draw more than 100 horses and riders to Pemberton. It is being hosted by Jill Giese and John Dingle of Dreamcatcher Meadows.
The ride varies in length and difficulty, depending on the rider, but the focus is on fun. There will be entertainment and demonstrations including a silent auction, cowboy poets, fiddlers, a local roping demo, and a barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 6. Providing the main entertainment Saturday night will be Wayne Farrow. The guitar player has been a musician for more than 40 years and has played with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Band, and currently has a show in Las Vegas.
The AQHA holds several such rides a year which are hosted and run by volunteers. Each ride supports a charity. Benefiting from this weekend’s ride will be the Children’s Wish Foundation and the AQHA Equine Research Fund. Since its inception in 1997, the AQHA has held over 550 rides with more than 39,000 riders participating around the world. The rides have raised nearly $650,000 for various charities.
Local participants are welcome for the ride or just Saturday’s entertainment and barbecue, however pre-registration is required for both the ride and the barbecue. Registration will occur Friday afternoon, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Dreamcatcher Meadows, or call 604-894-6819 for Jill Giese or John Dingle. Cost of registration is $25.
