Winter Fun at the Lakota Equestrian Center in Dawson Creek

December 30 was a cold winter day in Dawson Creek, the temperatures plunged to -32 Celsius. Our holiday company had been up for a week and we were all feeling a bit house bound. Our 2 nephews were getting bored and we needed something different to do.

The 3^rd annual Christmas Extravaganza was being held at the Lakota Equestrian Center in the new Multiplex.

We have gone every year so far, so decided to brave the cold and check it out. The place was packed! People had come out in droves to watch the different horse clubs that use the facility put on demonstrations.

The show started with a Grand Entry of Flags, then came the jumping horses, dressage horses, a rodeo drill team, barrel racing, western pleasure horses, team roping, reining, and cow penning.

There was a young woman riding without a bridle, but the best were the little kids on ponies tying goats and riding around obstacles and a young man who had taught his miniature donkey to jump over rails.

There are a lot of thriving horse clubs in Dawson Creek and the equestrian center is in constant use There are 110 indoor stalls and each one is rented all year round.

We will definitely go again next year. If you are visiting over the holidays, I really recommend you check it out. It's free and open to the public. Even if you miss the showcase, a trip to the Lakota Center is a great place to spend time.

Winter Fun at the Lakota Equestrian Center in Dawson Creek

"Wild and Lawless" Horse Show in Dawson Creek

I admit to being a horse enthusiast. When I heard that we were having another Wild and Lawless Horse Show at the Lakota Equestrian Center, I was thrilled!

I couldn't believe how much the show had grown in one year. There were over 120 riders of all ages and all disciplines.

Horses were everywhere! In stalls, aisles, pens, in the huge bathing room and in the arena. The atmosphere was pure energy, the sound was a symphony of whinnies and laughter and the smell was pure horse.

I got a chance to visit with old friends and new friends from as far away as 100 Mile House and White Court. I even met some tourists up from Omaha, Nebraska, who although they were here for their grandson's graduation, couldn't resist sneaking out for a few hours to watch the show! Horses bring people together!

All the disciplines were represented: English Equitation, Pleasure & Jumping, Western Equitation, Trail, Pleasure, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending.

The equestrian center is a great venue for a show of this size, and more than capable of handling even more growth. What a top-notch center! I couldn't count how many times I heard out of town competitors praise the riding center and the organization.

Sometimes a person just knows that an event has taken root and will just get better and better year after year... well, 's the feeling with the Wild and Lawless! I'm putting it on my calendar for next year! And I know I won't be the only one!

"Wild and Lawless" Horse Show in Dawson Creek