The Cutter Rally for Cancer trail was officially named after Ron C. MacDonald for his many years of service and dedication in keeping the trail groomed and safe. From left: cutter rally co-chair Tammy Hampel, Doreen MacDonald, Ron MacDonald, and rally co-chair, Mike Sidoryk. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
The Cutter Rally for Cancer is fast approaching, and this year the trail will have a name.
The trail will now be known as the Ron C MacDonald Trail, a testament to MacDonald’s unwavering dedication to the success of the event ever since the first rally in 2003.
“Ron is always there. He’s the first guy to show up in the morning and the last guy to go home at night. It’s amazing,” said rally co-chair Mike Sidoryk.
“We are very honoured to have dedicated the trail for all of the hard work that Ron has done up to today, and what he is going to contribute for the future.”
The committee was able to keep the dedication a surprise right up until the presentation, at noon on Feb. 14. They also made the draw for the early bird prize of $500, which went to Niki Crockett of Provost.
“We’ve been working on this surprise since we started our planning for this coming year,” said Sidoryk.
“Of course, Ron still comes to our meetings. It was very hard to keep that surprise a surprise, which we managed to pull off.”
Co-chair Tammy Hampel says what MacDonald does is a very important part of the cutter rally. He keeps the trails groomed, builds up crossings, and ensures the trails are free of any obstacles, making them safe for the drivers and horses.
“He has stuck with this right from the beginning. He took it on, and made the trails work for us. We changed the route a couple of times and he worked with it,” she said.
“He’s worked with the landowners, and he’s made it a safe, really pleasant trail for us drivers to be out on. He’s done a fabulous job for 20 straight years.”
MacDonald’s wife Doreen was also helpful in making the surprise dedication a reality.
“Doreen was really really helpful with bringing us some pictures and signage. His favourite colour is red, which is where that came from. We worked together well on it and I think we pulled it off,” said Hampel.
Sidoryk says the success of the event rests on the hearts of the committee of volunteers who run it, many of whom have been touched by cancer in some way.
“It’s the agriculture/horse community that’s here giving back to supporting our cancer care,” he said.
“Cancer has touched each and every one of us. Ron is dedicated to supporting the horse industry and as well, our cancer care.”
Since 2003 the event has raised more than $170,000 toward upgrades in cancer care in Lloydminster.
This year’s rally is set to go Saturday with registration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and supper to follow at 5 p.m.
For further information visit www.cutterrallyforcancer.com.
