All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Team of four Belgian horses bolt near end of WVSF Horse and Carriage Parade

A team of four Belgian horses from Pennsylvania got spooked and took off during the end of the Horse and Carriage Parade Saturday. Although the horses caused damage to this Ford pick-up truck, the riders are OK, according to 2019 WVSF president Sandra Bennett, who said they suffered only minor injuries. / Photo courtesy of Susan Harsh

BUCKHANNON – While thousands of spectators and participants along Strawberry Lane enjoyed Saturday’s Horse and Carriage Parade, by the end of the 1.5-mile route, four horses from Pennsylvania had had enough.

Or, in other words, while kids and adults alike were cheering, “Yay!” a team of four Belgian horses from Rocky Point Farms in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, were saying, “Neigh!”

According to Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory the team of horses, which was pulling a carriage carrying two individuals, got spooked and took off, resulting in their owner losing control of them.

“The owner of the horses lost control of them after that, and they ran into the back of a Ford pick-up truck parked on Sedgwick Street,” Gregory said.

Gregory said the riders, Sarah Brakeiron, 19, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and Donnie Provost, 49, of Prosperity, Pennsylvania, suffered minor injuries but refused medical transport.

The vehicle, which was parked near 15 Sedgwick St., belonged to Donald Henderson but was unoccupied at the time; however, it sustained some functional damage and had to be towed from the scene.

Gregory said when they took off, the horses knocked down several tents set up for an auction.

After breaking loose, several of the horses knocked down some tents set up for an auction on Sedgwick Street. / Photo courtesy of Susan Harsh

“After they broke loose, they turned and ran right through three tents set up for an auction,” he said.

Sandra Bennett, president of the 2019 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Association, said one of the riders – Provost – was thrown and hit the windshield of the pick-up truck, while the other individual, Brakeiron, jumped off.

“They just took off,” Bennett said of the freak incident. “Two horses went one way and two went the other way. The riders appeared to be OK. They were talking afterwards and went back up to the horses.”

Otherwise, Bennett said the Horse and Carriage Parade clip-clopped down Strawberry Lane smoothly and was well-attended.

“I think it was really nice that a lot of the spectators were telling the participants how nice their carriages were and how nice their teams of horses looked,” she said. “I think that was a nice way of showing their appreciation.”

Bennett said the 2019 Horse and Carriage Parade is one of the biggest the Strawberry Festival’s staged yet. Nine states – including Minnesota and Georgia – were represented, she noted.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Baseball Bucs come up short in McDonald’s Classic games

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers baseball team went winless in the McDonald’s Classic, losing three closely contested games against Washington, Wheeling Park, and Parkersburg South, despite several strong performances at the plate.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar features a full slate of baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, tennis, and track and field events for local high school and college teams, with some schedule changes due to cancellations.

WVWC’s Stoffel named MEC Softball Pitcher of the Week

Kendall Stoffel of West Virginia Wesleyan was named Mountain East Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week after earning three complete-game victories, including a one-hit shutout, and striking out 17 over 21 innings.

Tennis Lady Bucs have impressive showing in northern panhandle

The Buckhannon-Upshur tennis Lady Bucs bounced back from an initial 7-0 defeat to sweep both John Marshall and Brooke, finishing their northern panhandle trip with a strong 7-4 record.

Tennis Bucs down Brooke on northern panhandle trip

The Buckhannon-Upshur boys tennis team finished a busy northern panhandle trip with a 4-3 win over Brooke after losing matches to Wheeling Park and John Marshall, bringing their season record to 5-6.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan track and field teams shine in home event

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s track and field teams turned in a dominant all-around performance at their home Jasmine Claggett Invitational, earning numerous victories, personal bests, and nationally ranked marks across both men’s and women’s events.

Wesleyan baseball drops two to Charleston

The West Virginia Wesleyan baseball team was swept in a doubleheader by Charleston, falling 7-0 in the opener behind a one-hit shutout and 13-1 in the nightcap despite collecting seven hits.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Softball Lady ‘Cats get doubleheader sweep over Charleston

West Virginia Wesleyan swept a softball doubleheader against the University of Charleston, winning the opener 1-0 behind Kendall Stoffel’s shutout and taking the second game 5-3 with key hits from Andie Dizon.
WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan tennis teams get swept by Charleston

The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s and women’s tennis teams both suffered losses to the University of Charleston, falling 7-0 and 6-1 respectively in Mountain East Conference play.

Wesleyan lacrosse falls to Davis & Elkins by a 20-6 score

Davis & Elkins overwhelmed West Virginia Wesleyan’s short-handed lacrosse team 20-6, dominating in shots, turnovers, ground balls, and draw controls, despite a standout four-goal performance from Wesleyan’s Nyah Elmer.

Lady Buc lacrosse team drops two hard-fought games to George Washington

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team fell to George Washington in two closely contested games last week, losing 9-8 at home and 12-6 on the road, to even their record at 4-4.

Track and Field Lady Bucs place 13th at Husky Invitational

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs placed 13th at the North Marion Husky Invitational, with individual and relay efforts earning 11 total points ahead of their next home meet Tuesday.