Sixty-three riders hopped on their horses May 4 to take part in the 34th annual Atmore Hoof-A-Thon.
Hoof-A-Thon organizer Travais Johnson said the event raised a total of $15,000 this year, which goes to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute in Edmonton for complex cardiac care and surgery.
“We did not have as big of a turnout as we usually do with the weather being colder than usual,” Johnson said. “When we first started the Hoof-A-Thon in 1986, we raised money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. But after they started building the Maz, we decided to put our money into a more local venue.”
He said the route started at the Atmore Community Hall and continued west of the community.
“We proceeded through a bunch of my fields,” Johnson said. “We had a lunch spot down by Beaverdam, where we had a wiener roast, and we then proceeded back to the hall.”
Johnson said they even had one water crossing this year.
“It was a little creek which all the teams crossed,” he said. “We did have some trouble with a couple of horses, but we took our time and everyone was able to cross. It was a really good time.”
He said for this year, it was kind of funny seeing everyone bundled up and wearing toques.
“I myself could not even wear my signature cowboy hat this year, as it was just too windy for that,” Johnson said. “Yes, I wore a toque, too. But despite that, everyone still went for the ride.”
Johnson added that trophies were also handed out at the event, including for the youngest and oldest riders.
“The youngest rider who rode the whole way was just six years old, while the oldest rider was 86 years old, so there was a difference of 80 years between them,” he said. “We also handed out three trophies for the most money collected. Third place collected $500, while both first and second places exceeded $4,000 in donations.”
Volunteer Peggy Hrynyk said the riders raise money by collecting pledge forms.
“We always ask for a minimum of $50 per pledge form,” Hrynyk said. “We also had 140 people show up for the supper this year. For those just coming to that event, the supper was $20 per person.”
Nadine Wesson of Stony Plain took part in her second-ever Hoof-A-Thon this year.
“I went four years ago as well,” Wesson said. “Back then, I got together with a really good friend of mine from Baptiste Lake and said afterward I wanted to do it again. But then I had a couple of kids, and that kind of put it off for a couple of years. But then I got the opportunity May 4, and I just gave her.”
She added she has been riding horses for the past 27 years.
“I had my first ride at six weeks old, when my parents took me riding up in the mountain areas,” Wesson said. “I would absolutely come back to Atmore again. I just loved the people up there, with everyone was so nice and easy to talk to. It was a very well-organized event.”
Johnson said they hope to attract more riders to their 35th annual event next year.
“It all depends on the weather and the economy,” he said. “All in all, it just depends on the year itself.”
