MOOSE JAW — Unicorns may be mythical, but Carousel Riders is capitalizing on society’s love of the one-horned animal as part of a fundraiser to support the purchase of critical supplies and machinery.
The community-driven horse-riding centre is holding an inaugural fundraiser called “Unicorn Farm Day” on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event aims to raise money to help the organization purchase hay for the winter, upgrade the fencing and acquire a new bobcat.
Admission for adults and teens to the “magical family-fun event” is $2, while admission for children under age 12 is $10. This cost for children includes a pony ride, a bag of feed to give to the animals, craft activities, glitter tattoos, a scavenger hunt, and games.
There is also a photo shoot with the “unicorns,” which includes 20-minute sessions with the equines and five edited photos, with each session costing $100.
The event is strictly cash-only and will happen rain or shine.
Carousel Riders is about 2.5 kilometres west of 15 Wing Airbase. To reach it, drive west on Caribou Street until 32nd Avenue, and then drive south past Highway 363 until a cream-coloured arena with green trim becomes visible on the east side.
Elizabeth Cook, a volunteer and administrative assistant, said the farm “desperately needs” to improve the fences because the structures are old and use pallets or other miscellaneous items in some places. With a chuckle, she said it is “not uncommon” for animals to get loose and wander about.
Continuing, she said hay is also expensive, as a flatbed of that material costs $5,000, and the farm recently bought two loads. So, costs add up quickly.
Cook, whose daughter has been riding horses at the farm since May, said the place is amazing, while owner Laura Williams and her family are “super welcoming.” She noted that Williams — a retired teacher — is an Equine Canada-certified coach who has done horse therapy with seniors and people with special needs and disabilities.
“It’s just a really nice community to be a part of, and it’s super relaxing,” the volunteer said, noting there are many other animals besides horses, while the farm feels like living “in a totally different world.”
During the fundraiser, all 50 horses at the farm — it’s “exploding” with equines — will be dressed up as unicorns, which organizers thought would be a great way to encourage people to visit, Cook said. Chuckling, she noted that every little kid enjoys the one-horned magical animal, especially girls.
While the Williams family owns the farm, volunteers provide plenty of support to ensure the venue runs smoothly. Cook said that when she began helping, she offered to help in any way she could and was told that the business required office help.
“The farm is doing great (and it’s) always growing. Because I’ve started taking over the admin, there’s people always asking for lessons,” she continued, noting the farm is thriving but requires more support since the horse lessons are insufficient to pay the bills.
Besides offering riding lessons, Carousel Riders also boards animals, including horses, cows, chickens and other critters that people own but can’t keep in the city, Cook added.
For more information, visit Facebook or carouselriders.ca.
