Courir concerns convince council to delay horse riding rules

The City Council agreed at its June meeting Tuesday night to delay action on an ordinance amendment related to riding horses in Eunice.
Council members responded to concerns voiced a public hearing by Mardi Gras Association Capitaine Pat Frey.
He noted the long-standing tradition of men and women riding horses as part of the annual Eunice courir, an event going back to at least 1918.
“I don’t want it interfered with. Participating on horseback is traditional,” Frey said, noting the impact the courir and its parade has on tourism and the economy in the city.
As proposed the ordinance amendment requires a special event permit for groups wishing to use horses in the city.
The amendment’s sponsor, Germaine Simpson of Ward 2, said she didn’t see a conflict with the courir.
Alderman at-large Jack Burson proposed to Simpson a delay in adoption until the measure can be tweeked to provide written protection for the Mardi Gras activity.
She acquiesced, saying the problem is not the courir once a year, but instead is the number of people riding in town year-round, anytime, anywhere.
Burson agreed, saying controlling citizens’ equestrian habits is a legitimate need.
The rest of the council seemed to agree.