January 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events

View a larger image on flickr.com
December 30 was a cold winter day in Dawson Creek, the temperatures plunged to -32 celcius.
Our holiday company had been up for a week and we were all feeling a bit house bound. Our 2 nephews were getting bored and we needed something different to do.
The 3rd annual Christmas Extravaganza was being held at the Lakota Equestrian Center in the new Multiplex.
We have gone every year so far, so decided to brave the cold and check it out. The place was packed! People had come out in droves to watch all the different horse clubs that use the facility put on a demonstration.
The show started with a Grand Entry of Flags, then came the jumping horses, dressage horses, a rodeo drill team, barrel racing, western pleasure horses, team roping, reining, and cow penning.
There was a young woman riding without a bridle, and a young man who had taught his miniature donkey to jump over rails. but the best were the little kids just learning to ride and those on ponies tying goats and riding around obstacles while trying to stay on. What fun!
There are a lot of thriving horse clubs in Dawson Creek and the equestrian center is in constant use. There are 110 indoor stalls and each one is rented all year round.
We will definitely go again next year. If you are visiting over the holidays, I really recommend you check it out. It's free and open to the public. Even if you miss the showcase, a trip to the Lakota Center is a great way to spend an hour or so.