"We just won 20 thousands dollars!" was their first comment as they took to the Canada Day stage to be announced as North Battleford's Amazing Race winners.
One of 15 teams of four individuals each, Hoof Hearted was made up of local residents, brothers Jean and Sean Fauchon, their cousin Jenni Wuttunee and their buddy Ryleigh Campbell.
"We've always been a tight knit group," said Wuttunee following the event. "We grew up here together."
It was definitely a gruelling day, she said, battling temperatures in the 30s and undertaking a variety of challenges at sites throughout the city in an elimination-based race modelled after the popular TV show. But it was worth it in the end, as they are each $5,000 richer and Jean and Sean were very thankful to their grandmother, Ruth Fauchon, for putting up their entrance fees of $200 each.
The prize money was made up by a $7,500 contribution from Innovation Credit Union along with grants from the City. There are also other prizes offered by various local businesses, including ones at each elimination leg of the race.
In order to win the North Battleford edition of the Amazing Race, Sean said he ate some things he'll never eat again in his life, and they were all exhausted by the heat.
But some challenges were almost inspiring, the team agreed, especially the one designed by the North Battleford fire department in which one member had to don firefighter's gear and pull a dummy out of a smoke-filled building.
As for the toughest challenge of the day, "It was different for all of us," said Wuttunee. While Sean had to eat some awful stuff, "Jean had a really tough puzzle, and Ryleigh had a really tough swimming length."
For herself, "Morse code wasn't my favourite, that's for sure," said Wuttunee.
Organizer Shirley Maze, who put the race together along with fellow volunteer Sharon Mohagen and the city's centennial committee chair Tammy Donahue-Buziak, said local businesses and community groups were very supportive of the Amazing Race, and many helped put various challenges together, like the fire department did. There were 18 challenges in all, including one at the aquatic centre. Also helping out with challenges were Fort Battleford, local square dancers, the Battlefords Wildlife Federation and Western Development Museum volunteers.
Maze thanked everyone who contributed and congratulated all the contestants for their courage and enthusiasm.
"They really stepped up and did their best."
All the contestants were in the same boat, facing the same challenges and difficulties, said Maze. It was all about how the teams chose to deal with those challenges, and Hoof Hearted proved themselves the dominant team, she said.
Maze says she's never put anything this big together and it was a "real learning experience" for everyone involved.
The contestants were courageous, she said, and the organizers were proud of each and every one who took part.
This Amazing Race was a one-time-only event, planned for North Battleford's centennial celebrations held in conjunction with Canada Day.
