16/ MAY 2019 THE RIDER 2019 CanAm marks 16th Anniversary for the Canadian Cowgirls It was a blustery Janu-


ary winter day in 2003 when the 8 original Canadian Cowgirls squeezed into a 7 passenger van from their home base in Chatham and headed to Ohio to train with the Ohio Top Hands, the 2001 mid American Drill Horse Champions. The two Equestrian Drill Teams, the Canadian Cowgirls and the Ohio Top Hands, were re- cruited to fill the arena with spectacle of horses and rid- ers at the very first CanAm


were nameless at the time and as Ryles put us thru the manoeuvres of the perform- ance she had choreo- graphed, she would call out “Okay you Canadian Cow- girls, here’s your part” “I guess the name stuck” quips Jenkins. The original eight rid-


ers practiced long hours to pull their half of the presen- tation together and be able to ride to the standards of the Ohio team. “Since we were the


barn at the Western Fair Grounds was packed and the cheers and the patriotic reverence that brought peo- ple to tears. It’s what got us hooked on the Thrill of Drill ” says Gwen Hall original President of the team. Needless to say, that


dedication and commitment paid off and after that very first show the calls started coming in from fair boards, festivals and parades to have the team appear at various events across Ontario.


Rodeo was only a part


of the 120 annual appear- ances the Canadian Cow- girls did in the early years. “We rode every single


Equine show in London On- tario.


“My Dad always told


me when you want to learn something learn from the best possible teacher and Ginger Ryles, Leader of the top hands and her experi- ence as a US Marine drill Sergant, and accomplished horse woman was certainly that. ” says Terry Jenkins Founder and Captain of the Canadian Cowgirls. “We


Can in CanAm, The Cana- dian Cowgirls didn’t want to embarrass our country or the organizers of the event who had faith in us, so we worked tirelessly to be able to pull off the drill with per- fect lines and spacing. That drill was done at a walk and a prance but wow was it beautiful with 8 Canadian and 8 American flags, cos- tumes of red and white and of course blue too. The old


Then New Years Day,


less than a year after that first performance, Jenkins received a phone call from BJ Prince Rodeo producer for Rawhide Rodeo inviting the Canadian Cowgirls to become the Dress Act for the Rodeo Company. On behalf of the team, Jenkins agreed and for 14 years the Canadian Cowgirls enter- tained Rawhide Rodeo Fans from Quebec and Ontario.


weekend at every opportu- nity because we love it so much, we couldn’t wait to load up and hit the road” says Laura Butler one of the founding members. The team has since pared down their appearances to approx- imately 50 per year. “When we were brand-


ing our team, we did every- thing we could to get ourselves out there. As a re- sult we were able to secure great sponsors such as Mane and Tail, TSC, McIntosh Pro Line and many others who believed in our mes- sage” says Jenkins. The team has grown


from the original 8 and con- sists of 18 dazzling women and their horses who do dangerous manoeuvres in glittering costumes. The rid- ers range in age from 13 to grandmothers and all have full time jobs or school and families to juggle in a busy schedule. The Cowgirls


fast


colourful openings, their signature patriotic musical ride and tribute to the mili- tary, along with their inspi- rational


tribute to the


country make their hour long show in much demand both in Canada and the United states. “The Cana- dian Cowgirls are ordinary women with ordinary Horses, but when you put it all together, it becomes something Extra Ordinary” says Terry. The list of the award


winning Canadian Cowgirls accolades are long and pres- tigious. The team have had invitations and appeared at parades such as the Tourna- ment of Roses parade in Pasadena California New Years Day 2013. Calgary Stampede in 2006 and 2017 parade winning Best Mounted Unit both times out of 850 horses entered. Won Best colour guard in the prestigious Kentucky Derby Pegasus parade two years in a row, The Indy 500 parade, The West Virginia Strawberry Festival parade,


the Canadian Octoberfest Parade and the Banff Canada Day Parade. The Cowgirls stood honour Guard for HRH Prince Charles


and Camilla,


Duchess of Canterbury, Won the Ontario Sport award for outstanding con- tribution to Sport, Appeared on the Rick Mercer Report with Rick Mercer and the list goes on. Even though the team


has experienced huge audi- ences and met important people, it is still essential to these Cowgirls to remember their roots and enjoy per- forming for small fairs and gatherings. One of their favourite and humble expe- riences is meeting their fans after the show. “One of our favourite parts is at the end of the show was getting to do a meet and greet with the fans, signing autographs, letting the kids meet our horses up close. We also are role models for young girls who dream of doing what we do” says Jackie Bray, current president of the Canadian Cowgirls. Coagi Long, owner and


producer of Equine Affaire says “The Canadian says Cowgirls are the most re- quested Drill Team that we’ve ever had at Equine Affaire both in Ohio and Massachusetts and they al- ways bring something excit- ing to the arena floor. The Canadian Cowgirls have our sold out audiences on their feet and certainly hold their own with other Great Equine Entertainment pro- fessionals” Even though the team


have crossed a number of things off their Bucket List, the Canadian Cowgirls have set their sights on a trip to the Netherlands in May of 2020 for the 75th Anniver- sary of the Liberation of Holland by Canadian troops during WW11. “They love Canadians in Holland and it will be an opportunity to give thanks to the many generations school children who tend the graves of our fallen soldiers. As a fundraiser we are selling Maple leaves for $10 to give as gifts of appreciation and


the purchaser of the leaves can even write a message of thanks to the dutch people” says Jenkins. The Canadian Cow-


girls have worked for many years with Ross Miller at The CanAm Equine Event, The Royal Rodeo at the Royal Winter Fair and have again contracted to bring their patriotic message to Ram Rodeo fans at many of the Ram Rodeo Tour in 2019. “We are a Rodeo Drill team and love the thrill and energy Rodeo brings to town. The Ram Rodeo crew and contestants become like family and the Rodeo is a great opportunity to season new riders and horses be- cause there is always so


much excitement and action in the rodeo arena“ says Jenkins. The 2019 Ram Rodeo Schedule is available on their website www.ram- rodeotour.com The Canadian Cow-


girls are always recruiting and invite you to visit their website www.canadiancow- girls.com to explore the possibilities. And like them on Facebook. Alicia Houston a mem-


ber of the team for six years once said of achieving her goals on the Canadian Cow- girls team,“ I don’t want to sleep at night because my dreams in real life are better than anything I could ever dream of in my sleep”


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