JANUARY 2013 THE RIDER /33
Canadian Cowgirls participate in the 147th Tournament of Roses Parade
No one loves a parade more than The Canadian Cowgirls and New Years Day 2013 this precision drill team got the ultimate parade experience when they participated in the 147th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena Cali- fornia. Over 700,000 spectators lined the streets of Colorado Blvd and cheered as 18 Cana- dian Cowgirls horses and their riders pranced down the parade route in glit- tering red, white and sil- ver costumes embla- zoned with Canada’s symbol of freedom, the maple leaf.
Each horse was adorned with silver rib- bon and beautiful red roses. The roses were part of the $92,000 fundraising effort, where fans purchased a rose which was placed on the Cowgirls horse in honor or memory of someone. “The roses looked absolutely beautiful on our horses. Because the flowers are fresh, the
Canadian Patriotism by appearing in the Rose Parade. This years parade was appropriately themed “Oh the places you’ll go” after a famous book by Dr. Zuzus
The Canadian Cow- girls loaded up 18 horses in 2 trailers to drive the 4000 mile trek to Califor- nia on December 19th arriving at the LA Eques- trian Centre on Decem- ber 23rd where the hors- es were housed for the duration of their Califor- nia stay.
“The horses trav- elled amazingly well considering the long days, on the trailer. Thankfully our sponsor McIntosh pro line sup- plied us with BCAA a product that we have often used for long trailer rides. This kept our hors- es in top condition and they bounced off the trailers ready to play.” says Jenkins.
The team stopped every night at preplanned destinations that could house the horses, and for-
Since the parade starts at 8 a.m New Years Day, The Canadian Cowgirls and all the equestrian entries are required to camp in the staging area the night before. At 4 a.m. an alarm goes off to roust riders and horses to begin their prepa- rations for the parade. The team put extra polish and sparkles on the horses and The Cowgirls proudly mounted up for the ride of a lifetime.
“You can not even imagine what it’s like to make that 1st corner onto Colorado Blvd and see the
media scaffolding and TV cameras on the street and bleachers 80 feet high packed with people. Its just surreal! after it was over, we were all in a kind of shock. we looked at each other as said “what just happened?” says Team President Joy Blonde-Henning.
On their way home from California, The Cana- dian Cowgirls are appearing at the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City OK. where they will per- form their musical ride in bring Canadian Pride to the Rodeo.
cowgirls and their fami- lies worked over 12 hours the day before the parade assembling enough bouquets deco- rate the horses.” says team captain Terry Jenk- ins. “The fundraising effort was spread over an entire year, and we are grateful to our supporters and the many sponsors who also added to the fundraising. “
tunately stayed just ahead of a major storm that had many states digging out of heavy snowfall. The hospitality the team received from everyone they encountered the entire trip was over- whelming.
The Tournament of Roses Parade hosted 22 equestrian units all of which were invited specifically because of their reputation and impressive resumes. The Canadian Cowgirls had won the Calgary stam- pede parade, the Indy 500 parade and two time winner of the best mounted unit in the Ken- tucky derby Parade and since the team was cele- brating their 10th anniversary it seemed only fitting that they cap off 10 years of promoting
The festivities also included Equestfest, a showcase of all the equestrian units who appear in the parade get- ting the opportunity to show off their horses and talents. This show was broadcast live on RFD TV and the Canadian Cowgirls were a crowd favourite.
An Equestrian reception was also held at the Gene Autry Muse- um with a lively band and all the equestrian units getting the opportu- nity to meet each other. The Canadian Cowgirls did Canada proud and the team distributed Canadi- an Flag pins which were a huge hit.
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