News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

The Cariboo Cowgirls Drill Team is on its way to Chilliwack this weekend to perform for the ‘Mane Event’, a large horse exposition featuring clinicians who teach Western and English riding to trainers from all over North America. The team will take the area for the ‘Equine Experience’ night show with two other drill teams. 

The team does various professional performances throughout the season, including Grand Entries for BC Rodeo Association events, sponsor and association flag presentations, parades and event intermission performances. 

Their impressive performances are a series of patterns and maneuvers that are choreographed into a full routine of horses and riders moving in precision motion and uniting with grace, lightning-fast movement and flow. The result is breathtaking---a collage of motion, colour, speed and excitement that thrills and entertains audiences of all ages. 

Their new extreme routine is called ‘Shot in the Dark’ where only the horses and riders are illuminated with neon lights. Performed in Quesnel recently, this electrifying performance takes place in the pitch dark, and at top speed, highlighting the spectacular skills of these riders and their horses. 

The Cariboo Cowgirls take pride in the history of the team, recognizing the contributions of the skilled riders and organizers who ‘rode the drill’ and blazed the way for nearly 10 years. 

Lynn Dent-Wilson is from Lac La Hache and has been riding with the Cariboo Cowgirls for three years. “I was tired of riding by myself in my arena,” she said. “I read about the team in the paper, phoned, and went to try it out.” 

She said that when she started with the team, it was like starting anything new. “When you first start, you have your doubts and think you’ll never remember it all---the fear of failure is significant. It’s a lot to remember when you’re going really fast,” she continued. “My confidence improved greatly into my second year.” 

She explained that the Cariboo Cowgirls is an open society so anyone can join. “There is a lot more to it than riding drill---it’s an enormous team effort that involves people on the ground as well as people in the saddle. We have skilled, hard-working coaches, and all of our team members on the ground are integral to our success. They make sure our tack is on, they have the flags ready, they are our sponsor riders and organize our music and our write-ups for the announcers,” she said. “They’re what keep us moving.”  

Getting involved with the Cariboo Cowgirls is a great way to support western culture in the Cariboo, according to Lynn. “Lots of people love immersing themselves in that culture, and the whole thing behind the drill team is to create a legacy for years to come,” she added. 

The Cariboo Cowgirls have riders that range in age from 18-53, and many of them have school-aged children who come to the practices, watch the local performances and grow up surrounded by the reality of the hard work and dedication that it takes for the team to be such a success. 

Lynn said that she really enjoys the young riders in the group. “They ride with no fear---fast, hair straight back and like they own the arena. They ride like they have no fear of making a mistake----they give me my zeal and energy,” she explained. “The younger riders give us confidence and the older riders give us stability. It’s a great blend.” 

The Cariboo Cowgirls are at their calmest when they are getting ready to hit the arena for a performance, according to Lynn. “We talk about our strategy, remind each other to watch the corners and watch the turns,” she said. “Everybody goes in there with their best intention to make it the best run we’ve ever had.”  

The team has high standards, always strives to raise the bar and improve, and are their own worst critics. “We see every mistake we make, and the ones made by the riders closest to us,” she continued. “You have to be a very dedicated, determined, thick-skinned and assertive person to be a good drill rider. 

“Young people get so much out of this: it brings out their vey best talent and really lets them shine,” she continued. “When we ride a long time with the same group they become very aware of how the people in the group interact. It’s not just timing with the horses, it’s timing with people. I know I scared a few of the seasoned riders when I first started but they worked with me and I eventually got it!” 

The Cariboo Cowgirls have team members from 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, 150 Mile House and Lac La Hache, and includes women who are stay-at-home moms, a professional forester, an intern worker at cattle sales, students and an insurance agent.  

She said that the best part for her is the camaraderie, the interactions of the team and the drill practices. “When you’ve had a good run, the success of the whole team, on the ground and in the saddle, feels so good. When we’ve had a good run it’s a good run for everyone---we’re riding for all of us.”

If anyone would like to join the Cariboo Cowgirls or have them perform at an event, please contact Janice Sapp, President at 250 392 7424.

| More...