Horse drawn Okanagan sleigh rides cancelled

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases in B.C. has led to the cancellation of a popular holiday event in Armstrong.

The team members of Horse Drawn Okanagan were geared up and ready to host the fourth annual sleigh ride event, but that changed when further restrictions on events were put into effect.

“We don’t just offer a sleigh ride, we offer an experience and that experience is largely based on bringing people together. In 2019 we welcomed 400 people a day during our eight-day Christmas event. We came to realize changing the central concept would be disappointing for our patrons and would eliminate the fun, social and interactive aspects of the event. So after much careful consideration we have decided to cancel the event this year and come back when it’s safe to do so. We feel this is the responsible thing to do through the currently evolving pandemic conditions,” said Kelly MacIntosh, Event Coordinator.

Horse Drawn Okanagan has been able to offer private wagon rides and wedding carriage rides this season because it only includes the “safe six” in numbers. They plan to come back next year with a bigger and better sleigh ride event to make up for lost time this season.

“A lot of businesses have been really creative in offering unique and virtual experiences. The concept of our event however, is to get back basics, come together with the ones you love, outside under the falling snow, around the fire, singing Christmas carols on a horse-drawn sleigh. So for now, we’ll have to wait,” MacIntosh added.

In the meantime Horse Drawn Okanagan will host a Christmas Mini Photo Session on November 21 with the draft horses. They will also offer gift items available for purchase this Christmas for the horse enthusiast on your gift giving list.

For more information contact Kelly MacIntosh at 250-540-7344, horsedrawnokanagan@gmail.com or visit http://www.horsedrawnokanagan.com