Horse owners on Prince Edward Island are raising concerns about this year’s frequent ferry cancellations, which they say are causing horses to miss races or endure longer rides across the Confederation Bridge to the mainland.
With the MV Confederation ferry now out of commission, they fear the situation could get even worse as the industry heads into one of its busiest periods.
“With cancellations, especially early mornings on the weekends, a lot of those Nova Scotia horses trying to get to Prince Edward Island, it’s been a challenge,” said James Perrot, president of the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association.
“I know in a couple of instances this year there’s been horses scratched in Nova Scotia [races] because they didn’t have enough time after the cancellation of the ferry to get around [using the Confederation Bridge].”
A mechanical issue earlier this week led to the Confederation striking the dock in Wood Islands, which left a hole in its bow visor, the front door that opens to allow passengers to drive onto the ferry. Northumberland Ferries does not have a timeline for when the repairs might be complete.
The accident leaves only one ship, the MV Saaremaa, to do a limited schedule of sailings between P.E.I. and Caribou, N.S., in the meantime.
Perrot said owners travel with their horses on a regular basis between P.E.I. and places like Cape Breton and Truro, N.S., especially at this time of year.
“It’s potentially our biggest month in harness racing on Prince Edward Island…. When we get into this time of year with the stakes program, Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale, Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend,” he said.
“There’s a lot of money on the table for not just competitors, but a lot of breeders with the Atlantic Classic sale.”
