Following months of practice, members of the Wild West Riders are ready to perform at the 95th annual Williams Lake Stampede.
The team was busy putting the finishing touches on their drills at the Stampede Grounds outdoor arena last week, inviting family and friends to cheer from the VIP section to give their horses an authentic feel as they ran through several formations.
“There are three-to-five thousand people, there’s horses in the bucking shoots, and it’s a lot for a horse to take in when they come in on a run; a lot for them to digest,” said Janice Sapp, a longtime member, to their fans.
Sapp introduced some of the youngest, and newest members of the team, Katie French, 16, and Paige Romaniuk, 17, as well as returning Wild West Riders, noting they started the season with a small group.
“Having everyone come back together and support the new riders in their learning has been great,” said Sapp.
“We’re looking forward to how Stampede will play out for us. It can get a little hairy, but that’s the excitement of it.”
Sapp will be riding Louise, a 15-year-old Quarter horse. Sapp grew up riding, has volunteered with the Stampede and has been with the Wild West Riders for the past 11 years.
Victoria Saville will be riding Missy, a seven-year-old draft/Quarter horse. She also grew up riding, and got back into it more seriously in recent years. She said there is lots to love about riding.
“It challenges you and keeps you humble,” said Saville.
Monica Byrd will be riding Shylo, a 14-year-old Morgan/Quarter horse. Horses have been a part of her life since as long as she can remember, and she’s even made a career out of it as a farrier. Byrd is also the organizer and founder of the Wild Cowgirl Race at Stampede to give women more opportunity to compete at the rodeo. What she loves most about riding is “the amount of try the horse will give you.”
Launa Bartley, 16, will be riding Tula, an Arabian/Quarter horse. She has grow up riding, noting “it’s an escape for me, it puts me at ease.”
Paige Romaniuk, 17, will be riding Brooke, a Quarter horse, also 17. For Romaniuk, there are many benefits to riding.
“I love how it has made me a confident person.”
Jaime Carrier will be riding Indy, a 16-year-old Quarter horse. She has also ridden for years and enjoys being part of the Wild West Riders.
“I like the team aspect of all the girls coming together and putting on a good show.”
Miriam Schilling will be riding Scotch, a six-year-quarter horse. She had been riding since she was a teen and also enjoys being a part of the Wild West Riders.
“This is just a great way to be part of the rodeo.”
Cynthia English will be riding Rigs, a 17-year-old Quarter horse. She also enjoys everything the Wild West Riders has to offer, and remembers watching the drill teams as a child and wanting to do it.
“It’s good for sportsmanship, horsemanship and it supports the rodeos and I love the rodeo.”
Katie French, 16, will be riding Hemi, a 14-year-old Quarter horse. She’s been riding since she was five.
“It’s a lot of fun and riding horses is just one of those things, it’s part of your life.”
Denise Little, who has been a Wild West member for eight years, will be riding her trusted 20-year-old Quarter horse, Ellie.
“I’ve loved horses since I was five years old. I enjoy riding, I enjoy riding with friends. It’s an honour to carry the flags and ride in the rodeo.”
After years of riding for the Wild West Riders, Nicole Roberts has taken on a coaching role with the team this year.
“I like riding but I’ve also discovered that I really enjoy the coaching aspect.”
“We’re only as strong as the people who keep showing up here every week and these girls have really committed to putting the time in. And everyone’s busy and life’s busy and work and stuff gets in the way but ultimately these girls have really stepped up to the plate here and we’re really excited to see where this team and this drill can take us,” she said.
“Let’s see where this team and this drill can take us.”
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