'We've levelled up': Stampede Showriders celebrate 40th anniversary

Calgary Herald

18 hours ago

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Julia Duffill, 17, is in her fourth year as a Showrider. For her, the teamwork and friendships have been the biggest takeaways from her time on the team.
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'They're not just my teammates, they've become more family,' she said. 'I've gained really good friendships from this program, and it's been amazing for my horse.'
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Though she's been riding a horse since she was six years old, she had never had a chance to be part of a team until joining the Showriders.
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'It's always you and your horse,' she said. 'Showriders is really good, because it gets you to work, you and your horse, in a team setting.'
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Performing for large crowds at the Stampede has been a highlight for Duffill.
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'Performing in the Nutrien is probably my favourite,' she said. 'One year they had it packed — like, max capacity. They had to stop letting people in, and that was a really big thrill.'
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'Jam-packed' days for Showriders
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During the Stampede, the riders are typically in the barns by 8 a.m. to feed and exercise their horses and clean their stalls. Once the horses are tacked up and decorated with glitter, the group heads out from the barns for the day's performances. A typical day involves three or four shows, as well as a 'stand-and-pat' outside the Nutrien building, where crowds can meet the horses and riders, take photos and ask questions. The riders have special appearances on foot throughout the 10 days as well.
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'It's pretty jam-packed,' DeWit said. Once the day's performances are done, the riders return to the barns for their evening barn chores.
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'They're not back to their trailers for the evening until 9 p.m.,' DeWit said.
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