INNISFAIL - Scores and scores of horse riders came once again from far and wide to raise tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research.
Their journey to the trails around the Daines Rodeo Grounds, and along the Red Deer River, has become a beloved tradition for many of the riders who have played a critically important part for the sacred and never-ending cause of finding a cure for cancer.
This year on Sept. 15 was the 32nd annual Innisfail Trail Ride for the Fight Against Cancer.
Jordyn Prior, the trail ride's coordinator, said the annual event is designed to bring people together in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. The funds raised will go towards cancer research and to help those living with cancer in Central Alberta.
This year's trail ride was held on a gorgeous late summer day with about 220 riders arriving at the Daines Rodeo Grounds from 8 to 10 a.m. to register.
"It was nice, almost t-shirt weather. I think that was what attracted a lot of people from the area. It was just a nice day to go for a ride," said Prior.
Riders then began heading out at 10 a.m. and continued to do so until gates closed at 11 a.m. Participants went on a 16-kilometre ride on well groomed trails and along the Red Deer River. They finished the trail ride back at the rodeo grounds between 2 and 3 p.m.
The riders then had lunch, which included hot dogs, potato salad and pop, and then the event program began. There was a silent auction and prize draws from corporate donations in the area. There was another for the farthest rider whose journey to the Central Alberta event was the longest. A rider from Texas claimed the Farthest Rider Award. There was additional awards given to the Wisest Rider, also known as the oldest, and another to the youngest rider. The top three winners of the Poker Rally, held over five stations during the ride, were also announced.
And most importantly there were first, second and third place prizes for the top fundraisers. Red Deer's Rachelle Dandurand was the first place winner.
"They actually gave away a horse for the first place fundraiser," said Prior, who is from Irma, Alta., about 275 kilometres northeast of Innisfail. "The girl who won it this year, her parents both died of cancer and she actually ended up raising $11,000 herself."
Prior said the 32nd annual trail ride raised a total of $32,373, more than $7,000 more than the $25,000 organizers had set as a goal for 2019.
To date, more than $350,000 has been raised for the Alberta Cancer Foundation since the trail ride began in 1987. All monies raised are directed to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre in Red Deer.
