High River Little Britches Parade “Cowboys On” With No Horsing Around

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Just prior to the annual Little Britches Rodeo and Parade, the horse industry was hit with the scare of an equine virus (nEHV-1). The High River Agricultural Society decided the risk wasn't worth taking and closed their grounds, cancelling the Rodeo. The Parade Committee announced the parade would still take place but banned all horses from participating.


There was some creative substitution for the horses. We saw tractors, floats and pickups transporting parade participants as usual, but also broomstick horses and one 4H group used plastic rain barrels laid on wheels for their posse. Parade Marshall Doris Daley, our very own Cowboy Poet, accompanied by Robbie Robertson, another famous Foothills Cowboy Poet, rode in a buggy pulled by a pickup in place of the horse. Rather than not participating at all the Calgary Regional Trail Riders rode their broomstick ponies on a flat deck trailer.

Prior to the parade starting we were treated to the Steppin' Fun ladies from High River, dancing between the rain drops. Those of us watching from the sidelines were treated to some rainy moments but lots of smiles and candy. We even got to see one of the Calgary Stampede bands perform their rain cover “maneuver”.

Thanks to the local celebrities, politicians, community groups and the Shriners the Little Britches Parade was a colourful success!