Red Deer is coming alive as Westerner Days kicks off for another year.

Some big changes slated for 2017 - including a few rides and an all-Canadian entertainment lineup - but the biggest of all is on the race track.

The Pony Steeplechase Championship Series is proving to be an experience of a lifetime for some young central Alberta girls.

It’s a jump racing event organizers say is uncommon to see in Canada, and is making its debut at the annual fair.

“I jump and I race, but I’ve never done, mixed the two together. So this was kind of cool,” said 13-year-old jockey Taylor Shaw.

For jockeys like 13-year-old Bryn Hickie, being on a big track like the one at Westerner Park is a new experience. “It was a little bit nerve-racking but it was a lot of fun,” she said.

But for others, having a crowd was nice. “I liked having all the supporters,” explained 11-year-old Morgan Turney.

This event is a chance for kids to build on skills they learn at Roy Sturgeon’s Youth Development Camps, which are hosted at Flying Cross Ranch near Lacombe.

“It's not so much about the racing, it's so much about what these kids have learned and their abilities to handle horses and how they do different things,” said Sturgeon, who not only trains the children on his ranch but also organized the steeplechase event.

Sturgeon grew up around horses and started race riding at 16.

He says he got to live his dream and is now giving back. Sturgeon fundraises to help children from low income families have the opportunity to hop on a horse at his ranch.

“When these kids get to race and do events like this or out at our place for me - for two minutes - they get to be somebody, and to me that's important,” Sturgeon explained.

The girls are in charge of getting their horses ready before each race, which happens to be Turney’s favourite part of the day. “It's when we like start because I kind of like to have a pep talk with the horse,” she said.

The girls all say horses are just like people; each has a different personality and challenges to overcome, although the animals don’t talk, they listen.  

They also claim to be a bit camera shy - but it’s clear once they saddle up, they’re are fearless.

“I love the thrill of it,” said Shaw.

While Shaw, Hickie and Turney all agree they’ve learned a lot on the ranch, they’re hoping by bringing their skills to the Westerner Park track all week, they can get better.

“I like the adrenaline but I really want to improve on getting faster,” said Hickie.

You can find race details online.

And Sturgeon is hosting a Kentucky Derby themed fundraiser at his ranch in August, called Talk Derby To Me. Funds raised will help children who can’t afford his camps. A ‘murder mystery’ will also be held during the dinner. More details can be found on his website.