News Articles

05.05.2005
Canadian Cowgirls Win at Kentucky Derby Parade

The sun shone bright on a grand Old Kentucky tradition, as 300,000 spectators gathered for the 50th anniversary of the prestigious Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade in Louisville Kentucky May 5th 2005.

The Derby Festival Parade is known for it's beautiful equestrian units and for the second consecutive year, the Award winning Canadian Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team from Chatham Ontario were selected by judges as Best Mounted Unit.

Leading the way for the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Riding team was the American Flag respectfully hailed by Laura Matthews on her beautiful Appaloosa horse adorned by an antique hand made Silver Parade Saddle. Following the stars and stripes was charismatic cowgirl Heather McKeon saluting parade goers while standing on horseback in a hippodrome stand. Twelve dazzling western Canadian Women, mounted on beautiful horses proudly carried their country's flag. Each wore matching costumes of red and white emblazoned with Canada's emblem "The Maple Leaf". All horses sported bouquets of flowers and yards of glittering ribbon in their manes and tails and were show ring groomed.

Riders were Terry Jenkins, Stephanie Cons, Ashely Tomaszewski, Adrianna McDonald and Alicia VanOverloop and Alecia Houston of Chatham, Gwen Hreceniuk and Robyn DeBrouwer of Ridgetown, Margie and Aly Love of Sarnia, and Hanna and Jamie Gagnon of Windsor.

The Canadian Cowgirl's horses reflect the cultural diversity of Canada and represent a variety of breeds including Quarter horse, Paints, Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian Mustang, American Saddle bred and Grade Horses.

"Our American neighbours welcomed us with cheers, whistles and salutes as we displayed our Canadian flags along the 2 mile parade route. Chants of Can-a-da rose from the crowd. It was amazing!" says Terry Jenkins Captain of the Canadian Cowgirls. "The Governor of Kentucky even came to the staging area to welcome us to Kentucky and compliment us on our unit. I was so proud of the girls on the team and how well they represented Canada."

Grand Marshall Chubby Checker kicked off the event with a live performance of his signature record "The Twist". The stars from "Desparate Housewives", "That 70's Show" and rock star Michelle Phillips also shone along the parade route. It's not surprising that the parade is consistently voted as one of Kentucky's favourite events and generates an economic impact annually of $14 million.

The Kentucky experience didn't end with the parade. The Canadian Cowgirls stabled and performed at the World renown Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky for three days.

The team was honored to have the opportunity do a colour presentation of The American and Canadian Flags in opening ceremonies for a VIP Derby Week Experience Tour at the Horse Park. "Tickets sold for $4,000 each and when The Canadian Cowgirls did their musical ride, the sold out crowd had the bleechers bouncing with foot stomping and hand clapping. The Canadian Cowgirls presented very well and their smiles sold their show! We are privileged to have the Cowgirls as new additions to our Kentucky Horse Park Family" says Entertainment Director Linda Brantley of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Gwen Hreceniuk, President of the Canadian Cowgirls said "The southern hospitality overwhelmed us. The Kentucky Horse Park staff couldn't have possibly done any more in making our stay enjoyable. Just being at the Horse Park alone was enough, but Denny Chapman and Mary Rivers Downey, entertainers at the park, entertained us personally with rope and whip tricks and trick riding training for our girls. This trip was one of the most memorable and exciting opportunities for our team".

The Canadian Cowgirls wish to thank the many personal sponsorships and platinum corporate Sponsor TSC Stores who's generosity enabled the team to Represent Canada at this prestigious event. The Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team has been contracted as the Opening and Feature Act to Rawhide Rodeo Company and will travel across Ontario from June to September 2005.