Balzac senior prepares for horse-drawn trek from Saskatchewan to Manitoba

A Balzac senior is preparing to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps this summer – or at least, the footsteps of his grandfather’s horse.

Derwin Clarke and his cousin Joe Alexander will be travelling 630 kilometres on a horse-drawn wagon from Eastend, Sask. to Virden, Man. beginning on July 6 – replicating a journey their grandfather made along the Red Coat Trail nearly 100 years ago.

Clarke, 73, said he has had a passion for horses and riding for as long as he can remember. In his free time, he enjoys taking a pair of horses lent to him by Floyd Mulaney – offered to him after the loss of one of his own horses last year – out for trips in Rocky View County.

Derwin Clarke spends the sunny morning of June 30 with his Percheron pair and wagon. By Lauryn Heintz/Rocky View Weekly

During a recent visit with Alexander, Clarke said the two cousins got to talking about their grandfather’s lengthy voyage that took place in the early 1920s. When their relatives were pushed out of their homestead in Eastend due to drought around 1920 or 1921, their grandfather put his wife and three children on a train and sent them to his hometown of Virden. Clarke said his grandfather made the trip there to meet his family by himself on a democrat – a type of wagon – pulled by a team of horses and leading a saddle horse.

“He would have taken the exact same road that we’re going to be taking, which is Highway 13 in Saskatchewan – the Red Coat Trail,” Clarke said.

He explained the route was also used during the Boundary Commission – a joint project undertaken by American and Canadian surveyors working to survey the border that became the 49th parallel following the Treaty of 1818. The Red Coat Trail is also the approximate path taken by the North-West Mounted Police in the 1800s in their march west from Fort Dufferin to Fort Whoop-Up, near present day Lethbridge.

Although the original trail no longer exists, a modern highway commemorates the approximate path. Clarke has prepared his wagon for the trip to ensure it will be safe to drive on the highway, which required him to modify the traditional elements of a horse-drawn wagon.

Derwin Clarke has been training his horses to prepare for their province-spanning adventure. By Lauryn Heintz/Rocky View Weekly

Clarke has also had to take into consideration the total weight of the wagon and supplies to ensure the horses will be able to manage. However, he said he has been training the pair of horses to adjust to the added weight.

Along with snacks and drinks for Clarke and Alexander, the back of the wagon will also carry hay and water for the horses, a small portable toilet and a pop-up shower set-up. Clarke estimates the total weight of his set-up will be about 2,500 pounds, with just over a third of that being water for the horses.

He estimated the trip will take anywhere from 14 to 17 days, emphasizing they are not in a rush. However, Clarke added he would very much like to be back by the end of July to celebrate his 53rd wedding anniversary with his wife.

Clarke said he is looking forward to chatting with the people he meets along the way.

Derwin Clarke poses from the seat of his horse-drawn carriage set-up on June 30. By Lauryn Heintz/Rocky View Weekly

“Rather than just having a canvas over the top, what I did was I put windows down the side so when I’m driving down the road, I can see the cars,” Clarke said.

He has also attached a rear-view mirror, flashing red lights and painted the back of the wagon yellow to ensure his voyage is as safe as possible.

“When I’m on the road, my rule of thumb is if anyone stops and wants to talk, then I stop and talk with them,” he said.

Clarke said he will often get stopped or have his picture taken when he is out for rides closer to home. He frequents Range Road 290, near his Balzac home, but will occasionally go right into Airdrie. But the best rides, he said, are in the mountains – especially during winter.

When discussing why people love to stop and say hello or snap a picture of his set-up when they see him out on the highway, Clarke mused it’s due to the peculiarity of seeing a horse-drawn wagon in the 21th century.

“It’s not an everyday occurrence, I guess,” he said.

Anyone who happens to be out on a summer road-trip of their own this summer and spots Clarke, Alexander and the pair of Percherons should drive carefully, wave, or if they have time, stop to say hello and grab a picture of the two cousins on their path to familial recollection.