Pancake breakfast benefits LTRA’s equine therapy

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on August 26, 2022.

Herald photo by Al beeber A mom and daughter dance in front of the stage as Tom Price and his band perform at the fifth annual Southland Trailer Corp. Whoop-Up Days fundraising pancake breakfast. The event raised $6,000 for the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association relies on community support to fund its activities and on Thursday, it got a big boost from a pancake breakfast fundraiser.

For the fifth straight year, Southland Trailer Corp. hosted the breakfast that cost a mere $2 per plate and $6,000 was raised for the riding association.

The event was staged in the parking lot at Lethbridge Truck Equipment, part of the same company as Southland which is across the street and just off 43 St. N.

Entertainment was provided by Tom Price and his band of bassist Roy Bartz and drummer Matt Lipinski who performed on the Calgary Stampede community stage which was brought down for the event.

While rain dampened the atmosphere when the breakfast started, skies began to lighten as the morning progressed and hundreds of people filled tables to eat pancakes made by The Batter Boys, socialize and listen to Price and his band.

Scott Sailer, who along with his brothers Ryan and Jason, organized the breakfast, said he expected about 1,500 people would show up for the event.

“We try to always support something local” and with their horses that fit into the Whoop-Up Days theme, the riding association was asked if they’d be willing to participate.

“So it worked out well last year and we brought them out again this year,” said Sailer.

Every year, the Calgary Stampede stage trailer and The Batter Boys come down for the event. Lethbridge Truck Equipment did all the service work on the stage trailer, he said.

“We’ve had a good relationship with them since five years ago when we did that work. They come down and help us out,” said Sailer.

The breakfast had 1,000 people attend last year but the family was hoping numbers would be higher Thursday with COVID restrictions lifted.

“Their support of LTRA goes a long way. We are very dependent on the community for support for this program, said Jason Shriner, executive director of the riding association.

“Without the support of the community, we couldn’t do what we do,” added Shriner.

The generosity of businesses such as Southland as well as volunteers “keep the doors open at LTRA,” added Shriner.

The LTRA is also collaborating with the Lethbridge Exhibition on its 50/50 progressive lottery this year. It will get 40 per cent of net proceeds after the draw concludes when Whoop-Up Days end Saturday.

“It’s going well. That’s a nice partnership as well,” he said.

“The rural/urban connection needs to be strengthened and the collaboration between LTRA and the exhibition, the shared values in bringing the rural context to the inner city is excellent.”

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