The thunder of hooves, the jingle of spurs and of course the country music blaring over the PA could all be heard Saturday afternoon in Murillo.
For the 121 st time, the Murillo Fall Fair was bringing the thrill of horse races, the excitement of roping and competitions for everything from jams to carrots to Northwestern Ontario.
While rodeo events have always been a highlight of the two-day fair, for the first time ever it’s a sanctioned event by the Manitoba Ranch Rodeo Association. That drew teams from all over Manitoba who came to the fair to earn points in fierce but friendly competitions on everything from calf branding to goat tying.
“It’s exciting and it’s something you don’t normally see in Northwestern Ontario that’s for sure,” organizer Greg Huffman said Saturday afternoon.
Usually Huffman and others travel to Manitoba almost every weekend in the summer to compete. He said it’s great to finally host an event of their own, thanks to a new rodeo ring. The events are all inspired by things ranchers, which most people who compete are, do every day. It’s also a great way to keep the cowboy tradition alive Huffman said.
“When you get a chance to do it, not many people do it once and say ‘I’ve had enough of that’. They want to enjoy it and come back,” he said.
It’s also about a love of horses.
“All these guys, it’s a joy and the love of the animals. Believe it or not there’s not a person hear that doesn’t just love their animals. You’ll see them behind their trailer whispering in the horses ear,” Huffman said.
Case in point is Gary, Huffman’s 12-year-old appendix horse.
Gary is a family horse who competes in all rodeo events. He’s also a bit of a celebrity after he was ridden by “Mantracker” when the reality show did an episode in Thunder Bay. He was also nominated as Manitoba Ranch Horse of the year in 2011, something that when mentioned the horse stomps in approval.
“He’s a top-notch soul this one. He does everything you ask him to,” Huffman said proudly.
Oliver Agricultural Society secretary-treasurer Sylvia Goodheart said showing off things grown or trained on area farms is part what the fair is all about.
“Just about every family out here owns a horse or two,” Goodheart, who pauses to say hello to neighbours, said. “This is a chance for them to come and show their stuff.”
Goodheart, who has been a part of the fair for 27 years, said the Murillo Fair celebrates differently than other area events because of the rural nature of it. She thinks that’s part of what draws people from the city.
“People love to come out to the country,” she said.
As for what keeps the fair going for well over a century, Goodheart said it’s simple.
“Tradition and lots of volunteers,” she said.
The Murillo Fall Fair continues Sunday.
