82-year-old rides in chore competition as Agribition kicks off in Regina
Exhibition officials are hoping to beat last year's record attendance
It took Gordon Frentz over 14 hours to drive through the snow from Grande Prairie, Alta., this past weekend to compete at this year's Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
The 82-year-old was riding in the chore team competition. He was also its oldest participant.
"I think when they see how well I made out, I think I'll have competition" Frentz said of other possible competitors his age.
The event involves horses being guided through a skill-testing course meant to simulate farming tasks. It's one of over a dozen competitive events happening this week at the agricultural exhibition.
"I'm very happy. I think I did OK," said Frentz after his event on Monday. "My goal was to finish in the top six. So I hope I did."
Frentz placed third. He'll be competing again in the finals on Tuesday.
The 53rd Agribition, which runs from Nov. 25 to 30, is billed as the largest livestock show in Canada. The event brings together farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers from across the country and beyond.
According to its 2023 report, last year the Agribition saw a record 142,000 attendees, an increase of nearly 20 per cent from 2022. It also generated an extra $96 million for Saskatchewan's economy.
Primarily an opportunity for networking and livestock trade, the exhibition is also host to a variety of live events and educational experiences for the general public.
"We've got Indigenous components, education. We've got rodeo, we've got freestyle bull riding, we've got chore teams, we've got grain expos, Indigenous ag. summits. There's just so much," said Agribition CEO Shaun Kindopp on Monday morning at the Burning of the Brand ceremony, which kicked off the exhibition.
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay was also in attendance, and he emphasized the need to inspire the next generation of farmers.
"These exhibitions are so vitally important," he said. "It's so important that young people understand exactly what agriculture is all about."
"You don't have to be out on a tractor and a plow to be a farmer."
Liam Aumack drove four-and-a-half hours with his family from Rabbit Lake, Sask., to attend the event.
"I find it really awesome that there are so many people here that I can relate to and talk to," he said. "On the farm it's like, there's nobody. And when I go to school it's like people don't really know about cows and stuff."
The 16-year-old is a member of 4H Saskatchewan, a youth organization that runs summer camps and agricultural projects. While he lives on a farm, he'd like to become an electrician and work in the mining industry.
Liam's father Russell Aumack works as a journeyman electrician in addition to working on the farm.
"Farming hasn't been easy and it probably isn't going to be easy in the future," he said.
"At some point in the future hopefully I've built enough that they can buy the equity that I have built into the farm and still have the opportunity for myself even to go back to work if I have to."
The Canadian Western Agribition will be continuing all week, finishing with the Maple Leaf Final Rodeo on Saturday evening at the Brandt Centre in Regina.
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With files from Laura Sciarpelletti