SSA Annual Premiers Ride

Premier's Ride

2012 Premier's Ride -

Friday Feb. 22, 2012

By Chris Brewer, CEO

Annual Premiers Snowmobile Ride, hosted by The SSA co-hosted by the Hudson Bay Trail Riders.

Friday Morning, up early, enjoy a healthy breakfast, get sledding gear on; insure sleds are full of fuel and all ready to go. While getting sleds ready, I notice Local MLA Fred Bradshaw pull into the parking lot with his sled in tow, no sooner I notice Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit pulling in with his sled in tow. Hon. Brad Wall, Premier has informed us with a prior engagement he will not be able to attend and Fred and Greg will be standing (riding) in for him. We are all early and this gives us time to chat and prepare for a day of snowmobiling. What a better way to spend the day, out snowmobiling with friends and family. SSA Board Members start to arrive and chat with Fred and Greg, our local co-host for the event the Hudson Bay Trail Riders Members are arriving and meeting and greeting all the dignitaries and keeping us a breast of the days route and lunch menu. Our trail boss for the day is Hudson Bay Trail Riders President/SSA Zone 2 Rep/Board Member Rick Dolezsar and a group of his local Club Members. We travel West on trail 210 E turning South on 210 C that actually takes us West but a nice winding trail to the Challenge Camp Shelter. Members of the Trail Riders have arrived early to get the fires going, outside fire and the stove in the shelter are both burning, it’s a beautiful day with nice temperatures for all to enjoy. The local club has prepared a fantastic lunch that includes Moose, Deer, Elk, buns, cheese, pickles and a dessert. Everyone had lots to eat, the Elk was my favorite, and everyone had a great visit, as well as great photo ops and stories. Trail boss Rick got us organized for a scenic tour return to Hudson Bay. Hats off to the Hudson Bay Trail Riders for taking such good care of us, not only Trail Boss Rick but to the many Club Members that worked so hard to treat us to a great time at the Premier’s Ride and for a great weekend. I would like to thank the Premier Hon Brad Wall for recognizing snowmobiling and sending Fred and Greg to represent him and our great Province. I look forward to next year’s Premier’s Ride in Nipawin

1st Annual Premier's Ride
Riding with the Premier – SSA’s 1st Annual Premier’s Snowmobile Ride
By Chris Brewer, CEO
See Photos Below! 

What a weekend! The SSA’s 1st Annual Premier’s Ride started off with Premier Brad Wall flying in to Hudson Bay and spending the day riding with a crew of 35. The ride began at Lewellin’s Polaris dealership, with greetings from the Mayor, Elvina Rumak; SSA President Barry Bradshaw and the Guest of Honor, Premier Brad Wall. The sun was shining, the temperature was a balmy minus 5 degrees; it just doesn’t get any better than this for such an important ride! The group headed north and we rode for about an hour and a half. We arrived at Larry’s Place, a trailside shelter that’s named in memory of Larry McDonald, long time member of the Hudson Bay Trail Riders. Club members had arrived early to get the shelter warmed up and a nice fire going outside. The club members prepared a special lunch with all the fixings; moose sausage was on the menu. This I can understand, as we are in the moose capital of Saskatchewan. Following lunch, a few interesting stories and lots of photos, it was back on the sleds and time to ride, as this is why we all came to Hudson Bay. Following a nice ride and spectacular views we returned to town. Also riding with the Premier was Hudson Bay Trail Riders President, Jerry Sprackman; SSA President, Barry Bradshaw; Carrot River Valley MLA, Fred Bradshaw; Yorkton MLA, Greg Ottenbreit; Mayor Elvina Rumak; SSA Board members, John Popoff, Bill Ziegler, Ron Tulik, Marcel Voyer, Rick Dolezsar, SSA Office Manager, Jeannie Brewer; myself, and many members from the Hudson Bay Trail Riders and several others from Yorkton, Saskatoon, Regina and all around Saskatchewan. I have spent many a ride with folks and can tell when someone has enjoyed their snowmobile adventure, it’s not expressed in words, you can tell when they remove their helmet and they have that smile from ear to ear. Premier Wall wore that smile every time we stopped along the route, at lunch and following the ride. Premier Wall is not an inexperienced snowmobiler; he spoke of previous snowmobile adventures while growing up in South West Saskatchewan. 
Premier Wall has started something special; the SSA’s Annual Premier’s Snowmobile Ride, the first in Canada. Snowmobilers can be proud to know the Premier of Saskatchewan is informed about snowmobiling, rides a snowmobile, and talks about the importance snowmobiling is to the economy, to tourism and to the health and welfare of our Province. I have had the opportunity to participate in many special snowmobile events in the past; transporting the Olympic Torch in 1988, riding with the Governor of South Dakota, riding with several Saskatchewan Cabinet Members, but I must say it is very special to ride with the Premier and to make this a annual event. This is a ride to be remembered for all that participated, and will be added to the history books.