Horses, dogs team up for relay

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This article was published 28/03/2019 (2590 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The thunder of hooves and excited barks filled Westoba Place Wednesday evening as dog-horse relay teams put their best hooves and paws forward at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

Brandonite Jackie Sage and her dog Maple were paired with Alexander resident Taylor Parks and her horse Prince of Thieves to race in the Prairie Ram Retailers Dog/Horse Relay.

A veteran of the sport, Parks and Prince of Thieves began racing in the relay six years ago.

Six years ago to the day, they took home the championship.

Rookies eager to make their mark, Sage and Maple entered the ring for the first time this year.

A team made of eager speedsters, the dog-horse duo met for the first time right before they entered the arena to race.

“You usually meet them as you’re going into the ring,” Parks said.

Both Prince of Thieves and Maple are established athletes in their sports. Parks and Prince of Thieves have taken home the Manitoba Cup in the past, and Maple recently received a champion agility title.

The excitement brings everyone together, regardless of whether they love dogs and horses, Parks said.

“It’s just a really nice intro into the evening classes.”

In other events, the jumps and the crowds can be a bit bigger, which can be intimidating, and the atmosphere of the dog-horse relay can be a more inviting experience for both guests and athletes.

“The kids just go nuts for the dogs and the horses,” Parks laughed. “It’s a kid’s dream.”

During the race, horses and dogs are paired to create a relay team.

The horse enters the course first, running a number of jumps. Like a regular show jumping event, faults are given if bars are knocked off during the race.

As soon as the horse crosses the finish line, the hound is released to run an agility course featuring tunnels and jumps. Like the horses, they can receive faults if they knock a bar off an obstacle.

However, in a fun twist, they have a chance to have their time reduced based on their final jump. Depending on how high they jump, they can have time taken off their race.

Two times are received at the end of the night — the combined time of the teams and a lone time is awarded to the horses.

The horse with the best solo time walks away with $5,000, and the dogs walk away with their favourite prize — a handful of treats.

“You’re kind of going in there to do your own course,” Parks said.

While the teams create unusual pairings, Sage said the animals are focused on doing their job — giving it their all in the arena.

“Most of the dogs are very focused on the work they do. The outside doesn’t really bother them,” Sage said. “They have a job to do.”

Handlers have rewards and treats on hand to keep the dogs focused. Sage carries a tennis ball, Maple’s favourite toy.

“Maple will do anything for that tennis ball,” Sage said.

WoofJocks member Karen Sandford helped host the event, serving as the announcer for the relay.

Like many aspects of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the dog-horse relay comes from a rich tradition.

The idea for the dog-horse relay came from the WoofJocks’ predecessor Herb Williams, owner of the Superdogs.

“He was a creative genius,” Sandford said.

The WoofJocks are committed to carrying that heritage forward, providing an entertaining and engaging night for Winter Fair guests.

Sage and Maple will be performing the rest of the week with the WoofJocks and Parks will continue to compete in the show ring.

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