2013 Readers' Choice Awards Winner - With their intricate choreography, exceptional equestrian skills, and eye-catching costumes, the Canadian Cowgirls elite precision drill team has been delighting audiences across Canada and the U.S. for a decade. Outfitted from hat to hoof in red and white, their maple leaf flags hoisted high as they ride, the Cowgirls are the living embodiment of Canadian pride. “We pride ourselves on promoting patriotism across the country,” says Team Captain Terry Jenkins.

By Ceileidh Sager - As riders, we often marvel at the placid, seemingly bombproof police horses we encounter on our city streets. Clearly police horses are put through intensive training to prepare them for patrol work, but what about their riders? In speaking with Sargent Kristopher McCarthy of the Toronto Police Mounted Unit, I learned that the city’s mounted unit has taught officers to ride using traditional cavalry methods for over a century. Recently, the Toronto Police Mounted Unit decided to incorporate English equitation standards into their officer training program.