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Virden Draft Horse Show continues a long-standing tradition

By Charlotte Artyshko

The Virden Draft Horse Show returned July 25 and 26, welcoming competitors from across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta for a weekend celebrating the tradition, teamwork, and dedication behind draft horses.

Around 45 horses competed over the two-day event, with exhibitors travelling from Olds, Alberta, Lestock and Carnduff, SK, as well as Dauphin, Minnedosa, Steinbach, Birtle, and Virden. Despite being a slightly smaller show this year, organizer Kacee Gee said the weekend was a success, with approximately 150 spectators taking in the free event.

The Virden Draft Horse Show has been part of the community for as long as Gee can remember. While it was once held in conjunction with the Virden Agricultural Society, it has operated as its own event for the past 10 to 15 years.

"We have fantastic grounds to use," said Gee. "People really enjoy coming here."

The show featured halter classes, hitch classes, the Manitoba Percheron Belgian Club Four-Horse Hitch Series, and the Chore Team Series Competition. Junior classes for exhibitors between the ages of 10 and 17 also gave young horse enthusiasts the opportunity to compete.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the friendly competition between sibling operations West Spring Percherons and N-ER-GEE Belgians.

West Spring Percherons earned Supreme Open Horse honours while also winning the Six-Horse

Hitch, Ladies Cart and Team, Open Champion Draft Team, and the Unicorn class. N-ER-GEE Belgians captured Supreme Belgian Horse, the Four-Horse Hitch, Men's Cart, Belgian Champion Team, and Overall Champion Team. Wallace Clydesdales claimed top honours in the Tandem class.

For Gee, keeping the show alive is about more than the competition. "I'd like to keep this show going because there aren't a lot of volunteers at shows around the circuit anymore, and that scares me that there won't be many fairs in the future," she said.

"It's been a staple in Virden for many years. For me, it's in my blood and my family."

Gee has been fully involved in organizing the show for at least five years, although her family has always played a role in the event.

She said encouraging young people to become involved remains an important part of the show's future. "We're always trying to get young people involved in showing," she said. "It's a lot of hard work and dedication throughout the year."

The show was organized by Kacee Gee, Grant and Kim Gee, Darcy Strain, and Robert Berry, along with four additional volunteers. The organizing committee thanked the competitors, volunteers, and sponsors for another successful event and looks forward to welcoming everyone back next year.