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):

Canadian Cowgirls: Promoting Patriotism  
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society: Giving Racehorses a Dignified Retirement    
Jane James: Therapeutic Riding & Para-Equestrian Pioneer  
Whiz N Tag Chex: Destined for Greatness
Pico: Celebrating Nearly Two Decades of Loyal Service
GreenScene Agritek Inc: Creating an Affordable, Sustainable Solution to the Horse Manure Problem

Walter White (1929-2008)
Making Wishes Come True

Seventeen years ago, Walter White had a vision. A lifelong rider, he dreamed of combining his love of horses with his dedication to community service. And so, in 1996, Walter founded the Okanagan Wish Trail Ride in Kelowna, British Columbia, benefitting the BC & Yukon Chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

The 2013 Provincial Wish Trail Ride will mark the 17th anniversary of the ride, and event coordinators hope this year’s pledges will help them achieve their goal of reaching a milestone $1 million donated to Children’s Wish.

Children’s Wish is committed to fulfilling an extraordinary wish for each of the thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and seventeen who are diagnosed every year with a life-threatening illness. But, as a registered national charity, the foundation is dependent upon the generosity of its donors and volunteers to make these wishes come true.

Over the years since that first ride in Kelowna, the Wish Trail Ride has grown into an annual event with up to 18 rides taking place all across the province each year. Walter passed away in 2008 at the age of 79, but the BC Provincial Wish Trail Ride he pioneered has continued to flourish, and to date has raised $965,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
In 2012, the BC Wish Trail Ride was thrilled to announce the creation of the Walter White Memorial Award, to be presented to the top three riders who bring in the most pledges. The award pays tribute to the legend of a man who continues to inspire riders across BC to collect pledges for Children’s Wish.

“The ongoing success of the Provincial Wish Trail Ride is a wonderful part of Walter’s legacy,” says Amber Dyce, Chapter Director of the Children’s Wish Foundation – BC & Yukon. “It represents fundraising at its very best because participants get to enjoy the great outdoors and at the same time support a tremendous cause.”

The pledges collected at the Provincial Wish Trail Ride have helped the Children’s Wish Foundation grant the wishes of hundreds of children, like three-year-old Krystina who has lost an eye and undergone two brain surgeries since she was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a baby. Krystina continues to be monitored closely by medical professionals, but thanks to Children’s Wish, she was able to spend a week in Disney World in Florida with her family – a dream come true for the little girl.

It is stories like Krystina’s that convinced Walter of the importance of the Wish Trail Ride cause, and inspired him to volunteer countless hours to ensure its success.

“He just thought it was a great, great cause,” says Walter’s daughter, Irene White. “It’s amazing what some of these kids go through. Dad just liked to see these kids smile.” 

“He loved to get in there,” she continues. “He was always volunteering. He was always there to help somebody. He was always there to help with whatever needed to be done.”

Irene also credits her mother, Shirley White, with dedicating countless hours to help make the Wish Trail Ride a success. “My dad was at the front of everything,” she says, “but my mom was always right there with him. She did a lot of work too. They were a great team.”

Walter and Shirley’s work ethic and commitment to giving children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses something to smile about has been passed on to their daughter.

In 2009, inspired by the overwhelming success of the BC Wish Trail Ride, Irene and husband Roger Matas wanted to carry her father’s legacy over to Alberta. Last year the Alberta Wish Trail Ride celebrated its fourth anniversary, and to date has raised a total of $121,000 for Children’s Wish. 

“My dad’s passions were horses and Children’s Wish, and I want to continue this dream for him,” says Irene. “It’s become my passion as well. I guess I am following in Dad’s footsteps.”

To learn more about the BC Provincial Wish Trail Ride and the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, visit www.childrenswish.ca/provincialwishtrailride.

Main article photo courtesy of BC Provincial Wish Trail Ride