Download a photo of the Rick -A-Shay Riders
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Coming up on Prairie Sportsman, the Rick-A-Shay Riders drill team performs, regal fritillary butterflies are introduced in a metro park and goats clear buckthorn from bluff prairies. “Rick-A-Shay, Regals and Goats” airs on Pioneer PBS Sunday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Pam Foshay, owner of Rick-A-Shay Ranch near Chisago City, is an exceptionally skilled rider who has won multiple championships and took third place in the U.S. National Arabian Show. But she had never participated in a horse drill team. So when she learned that Anne Gerber, one of her student’s Mom, had experience riding with a drill team, Pam asked if she would lead a team at Rick-A-Shay. Drill teams started with cavalry riding to teach soldiers drill maneuvers used during wartime. Rick-A-Shay Riders learn skills and gain confidence leading thousand-pound horses in choreographed formations.
Next up, regal fritillaries have been introduced at the Crow-Hassan Park Reserve in Hennepin County. The majestic prairie butterfly was historically found throughout the east-central United States, but like many grassland insects, its population has plunged and it disappeared from the Twin Cities metro area. Crow-Hassan was once farm fields, and when selecting native species to introduce to the park reserve, staff chose the regal fritillary because it doesn’t travel far from where its eggs hatch.
In the final segment, goats are brought into Whitewater State Park to clear buckthorn and other invasive shrubs. The southeast Minnesota park’s dramatic blufflands were called “goat prairies” in settlement days because goats were the only livestock that could climb the steep slopes. Park staff plan to bring back goats next summer as another way to clear invasive species, along with prescribed burns.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors to hunt, fish and recreate, while promoting environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/editor; and Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer. The 2022 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund SafeBasements of Minnesota, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.
