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Heavies to show in Virden

Charity class for the Murray House
Draft show 2017

Virden Draft Horse Show is a great venue for competitors in the heavy horse world. During this historic 150-year, there will be a number of chore teams involved in maintaining the ring. Reminiscent of the horse-drawn era, and with a wide variety of classes to watch, the show is sure to please local horse lovers.

A member of the organizing committee Chrystal Chisholm says Virden can expect about 80 horses for the show on July 29 and 30, with exhibitors generally from Birtle, Moosomin, Minnedosa, Dauphin, Pilot Mound and of course, Virden

The show offers a charity class, where an entry fee of $50 is charged and the money is donated. “We encouraged everyone to enter,” says Chisholm. Competitors can ride, lead, or drive any vehicle or implement in this class and the yellow is the theme colour for it. Last year’s charity class raised $1,000 for Westman Dream for Kids. With people from all over Westman and eastern Saskatchewan competing, the committee chose another widely applicable charity, the Murray House in Brandon.

The Sense of Home Residence, now known as ‘Murray House’ supports cancer patients and their families from rural Manitoba who need to stay in Brandon for their care.

The Draft Horse Show, now in its fourth year, was a hit among draft horse competitors from the start. “We offer a lot of nice products,” explains Chisholm.  “Exhibitors get a lot more, for free, from us because of the power of sponsorship in Virden.”

Except for the charity class, there is no entry fee for classes, and no stabling charges either, with breakfast provided by the show committee and a free supper for exhibitors, cooked by Shannon Boreham.

The Manitoba show circuit for these heavies includes Minnedosa, Carberry, Carman, Strathclair, Harding, and Birtle, with a Clydesdale show at Austin.

Some of these competitors have been travelling the show circuit for many years, and for them, show time is a great opportunity for socializing.

At Virden, there’s no charge at the gate. “People are welcome to walk through the barns and ask questions of the exhibitors, when there’s a spare moment in the action.”

The Ken and Elaine Horn Memorial unicorn class takes place on Sunday, and there’s a Six-Horse Hitch class sponsored by Great Western Tong, as well. Line classes run in the morning on both days, with the hitches in the afternoon.

A handful of chore teams are also coming. “They will harrow and water the ring during classes. We will also have a small competition during lunch time each day,” says Chisholm. 

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