By Jess Hallas-Kilcoyne

We are delighted to announce the winners of our fourth annual Readers’ Choice Awards, whose contributions to Canada’s horse community are truly worthy of recognition. Congratulations to our very deserving winners!

The 2013 Readers' Choice Awards winners are (please read more at each link):

LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society: Giving Racehorses a Dignified Retirement
Jane James: Therapeutic Riding & Para-Equestrian Pioneer
Walter White: Making Wishes Come True
Whiz N Tag Chex: Destined for Greatness
Pico: Celebrating Nearly Two Decades of Loyal Service
GreenScene Agritek Inc: Creating an Affordable, Sstainable Solution to the Horse Manure Problem

Canadian Cowgirls
Promoting Patriotism

With their intricate choreography, exceptional equestrian skills, and eye-catching costumes, the Canadian Cowgirls elite precision drill team has been delighting audiences across Canada and the U.S. for a decade. Outfitted from hat to hoof in red and white, their maple leaf flags hoisted high as they ride, the Cowgirls are the living embodiment of Canadian pride. “We pride ourselves on promoting patriotism across the country,” says Team Captain Terry Jenkins. 

Founded by Jenkins in 2003, the Canadian Cowgirls are based out of Jenkins’s equestrian centre, TJ Stables, in Chatham, Ontario. The team consists of 28 enthusiastic, committed women and their mounts.

According to Jenkins, the inspiration for the Canadian Cowgirls came to her during preparations for the first Can-Am Equine Emporium show. “They had an American [drill] team coming up…and the gentleman starting the Can-Am said: ‘Too bad there isn’t a Canadian drill team. They could ride together.’” Jenkins already had a fair bit of past experience with precision riding and had incorporated it on occasion into her junior lesson programs, so putting together a drill team seemed like the next logical step. She hasn’t looked back since.

Over the years the Canadian Cowgirls have represented Canada on many special occasions. They performed and stood Honour Guard for Prince Charles and the Duchess Camilla during their official visit to Canada, have appeared on CBC’s “The Rick Mercer Report,” and were featured in a Canadian Armed Forces morale boosting documentary for Canadian troops overseas.

Most recently, the Cowgirls rang in the 2013 New Year by taking part in the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. One of the largest parades in the world, participation in the Rose Parade is by invitation only, and the Cowgirls are the first Canadian group ever to be invited to take part.

“We pretty proud of the fact that a Canadian team got invited,” says Jenkins. “It was pretty amazing.” But, she adds, it’s not all about the big events.

One of Jenkins’s fondest memories is of performing at a rather small, local event. The Cowgirls were set to ride to the Canadian National Anthem when the sound system began to fail. “Pretty soon the audience of about 1500 people all started singing ‘Oh Canada,’” she recalls. “It just brings tears to your eyes. That was an amazing moment. That’s what we’re all about – joining together as Canadians.”

For the Cowgirls, joining together is about more than performing as a drill team. These women are also dedicated volunteers at the Acceptional Riders Therapeutic Riding program, founded by Jenkins in 1992, and working together to support riders with special needs has only strengthened the bonds between them.

“The team members have all helped shape me to who I am today,” says Alicia Houston, a Canadian Cowgirl since 2005, “and have given me many good memories that I will remember for years to come.”

For more information about the Canadian Cowgirls, please visit their website at www.canadiancowgirls.com.

Main Article Photo courtesy of Canadian Cowgirls