- Reporter Emily Wahlstrom
Courage Canada Trail Ride
Curtis Anderson and his supporters hit the trails for the 14th annual Courage Canada Trail Ride to Support Brain Injury on Saturday, May 26 as horse-drawn wagons, as well as riders, made their way through the pastures and side roads just North West of Minburn. “It was a good turnout, and we had a beautiful day for the ride. We had survivors from FOCUS in Vermilion, VALID Association from Vegreville and LABIS in Lloydminster,” said Anderson. Ryan Nauenburg from Bruce, AB attended the ride and said, “I have been coming for the last five or six years. I am a carpenter, and my parents own cattle so you never know what could happen. I feel I should support the cause as you never know, you might need help from it in the future.” Members of the 2nd Chance Trail ride were also in attendance. “Curtis has been doing this for the last 14 years, so we have come to learn how to improve our trail ride,” said Lionel Romanchuk from Lindbergh, AB, who was accompanied by Gary Heffner, a double lung transplant recipient. Anderson is a brain injury survivor who was involved in a life-changing head-on collision with a bull while competing in the bull riding event at the Ponoka Stampede in 2002. After spending days in a coma he later began to rebuild his life, all the while working to help others enduring similar injuries. Anderson now speaks at schools and various public events throughout the province and western Canada. After the ride, a supper was held at the Innisfree Recreation Centre with cowboy poetry, a silent & live auction, plus live music featuring Ryan Fritz and Bryce West! Donations will support the following organizations: Ponoka Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury, Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society, FOCUS Vermillion, VALID Association Vegreville and the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team.
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