Submitted by:
Michelle Buck |
The Blue Sky Team Penning club is hosting a trail ride and team penning jackpot on September 10 and 11, 2016 at their arena south of Benito.
Trail Ride
Saturday’s trail ride leaves from the arena grounds at 11 am and includes lunch on the trail. The trail is suitable for riders and wagons. Guests wishing to stay overnight and attend the jackpot penning on Sunday are welcome to do so. The arena will have water for your horses and an outhouse for your two-legged group, but no other facilities.
Jackpot Team Penning
The jackpot team penning scheduled for 12 noon on September 11 is the second one this year. Each year we host a spring and fall jackpot, and this one looks to be a well attended event, in part due to the fundraising efforts that have allowed us to add another $1500 to the pot. Teams that place will win themselves a handsome cheque, but the first place team will also be the proud owners of a fancy new set of trophy buckles (and bragging rights).
Registration
Pre-registration is required for the jackpot, and the deadline for this is September 9 at 10 pm. Individuals and teams can register by calling Sharon at 204-539-2345.
Riders can enter up to three draw and three picked teams, for a maximum of six teams. Club members are automatically entered at no charge for one additional run in the Members Only class, where each person earns points. This class runs at both of our Blue Sky jackpots, and the Kamsack Team Penner’s jackpot held on September 24 at the Broda Arena in Kamsack, SK. When the points are all in, the prizes for the Members Only class are awarded during our Christmas Party later in the year.
The last few years have seen a climb in the number of young people entering classes, and the Youth Classes continue to be popular at our Jackpots. The Youth class runs at half time, and each team consists of two Youth members and one adult who is allowed to work in a supporting role only. Not surprisingly, these teams have a pretty big fan club. Youth members are not limited to the Youth classes. Team penning is very much a family sport and mom, dad, kids and grandparents can mix and match their teams in the Open class, sometimes with noticeably better results than their competitors. This holds true from grass-roots level competition right through to the Calgary Stampede.
Fans will be seated in style this year in our nearly new bleachers. With support from one of our sponsors, Grazier Custom Manufacturing, last year we were able to put up a beautiful 7-tier set of bleacher so everyone would have the best seats in the house. This past weekend the roof went on for a little added luxury for our spectators.
For information and registration, contact Sharon at 204-539-2345. To stay in touch with our club year round, check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlueSkyArena, or drop in and see us ¼ mile west of the Junction of highways 83 & 49 south of Benito, MB.