By Jess Hallas-Kilcoyne - We are pleased to present the winners of our third annual Readers’ Choice Awards, honouring remarkable horses and horse people for their achievements and contributions to Canada’s horse industry. Each of our 2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners is truly remarkable and we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them. Our only regret is that, out of the hundreds of nominated individuals, only ten can be named as winners. Here are a few of our runners-up whom we feel are deserving of honourable mention.

2012 Readers' Choice Award Winner - In early September 2001, Karen Brain was one of Canada’s most promising eventing riders, with Olympic aspirations, until she fell from her horse, sustaining injuries that left her an incomplete paraplegic. Just three years later Karen represented Canada in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, winning Individual and Team Bronze Medals. Her dedication and determination are truly remarkable.

2012 Readers' Choice Award Winner - As a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) millionaire (having surpassed the $1 million rider NRHA lifetime earnings mark), NRHA Futurity Champion, the winner of six American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championships, and two-time World Equestrian Game (WEG) individual medalist, Duane Latimer is a member of Canada’s reining royalty.