Seems it’s enjoyable to experience in a one-horse open sleigh

The lyrics of “Jingle Bells” will come to life this weekend on the Northwoods Harness Club’s thirty seventh annual Sleigh & Cutter Rally.

Julie Dahlberg, knowledgeable sleigh driver, has been going for years.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get together, our carriage friends that we don’t see as much in the wintertime, a chance to get together and share ponies together, and to share for the public. Because it’s something that a lot of people don’t get to see,” she mentioned.

The rally runs from 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Northern Pines Golf Course in Iron River, Wis. It might be seen from each inside and out of doors, and there are meals and drinks for buy.

“This little bit of history is in danger of being lost if we don’t keep it alive in this way,” Dahlberg mentioned.

She began driving horses when she was 10 and driving them afterward. She met her husband on the sleigh rally when it was in Duluth.

“It was January of ’96 at Lester Park Golf Course that I met my husband,” she mentioned. “And then we got hitched.”

Dahlberg trains horses for different sleigh drivers. In early January, she had Brawn, a Norwegian Fjord Horse, hitched to the sleigh.

“They are bred for this type of weather,” she mentioned. “Very sturdy. They’re a little bit heavier-boned as far as ponies go.”

Along with understanding stress on the reins, Brawn now is aware of instructions like “left,” “right,” “walk,” “trot,” and “whoa.” He additionally wears bells when pulling a sleigh, which is a part of the custom. Sleigh horses wore bells in order that different groups might hear them approaching a path at evening and keep away from collisions. There’s not a lot threat of that on her land in Solon Springs, Wis.

“In today’s day and age, it’s mostly hobby,” Dahlberg mentioned.

There received’t be rides provided, however there shall be heaps to see at Saturday’s rally.