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Congratulations to the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
Pat Michael
Pat has been an integral part of the fabric of Dressage in Saskatchewan for decades and has contributed to every aspect of the sport discipline. She has been a competitor, coach, judge, show organizer, clinician, and volunteer.
Pat has competed at the highest levels of Dressage, representing Saskatchewan at the Dressage Nationals multiple years. She is an excellent coach and clinician of Dressage athletes, with students excelling in the sport. Pat was a team coach at the Saskatchewan Summer Games and the Canadian Inter-Provincial Championships.
Pat is an accomplished judge and until 2020, was Saskatchewan’s only accredited Equestrian Canada Dressage Judge. She has judged competitions across the Prairies and when Western Dressage became popular, she helped by becoming accredited in that discipline.
Let’s not forget Pat’s spirit of volunteerism. She has been on the Board of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation, the Saskatchewan Dressage Development Association, and the Regina District Dressage Association. She continues to share her dressage knowledge through clinics for Pony Club and Adult Amateurs and when an event is over, Pat is helping tear down and wipe the grit off the dressage ring. Pat Michael is a true ambassador for Dressage in Saskatchewan!
C. Walter Hughes
Walter Hughes was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan in 1946. He remembers riding and driving with his father from a very early age and was working in Community Pastures by fifteen. He continued working with horses invarious ways including Percheron and Quarter Horse breeding programs that produced several winners at the highest level such as the Grand Champion Mare at the Royal Winter Fair and a son of Prince Joe being All American Gelding.
Still, Walter remains humble, approachable and always willing to help anyone learn about horses, training, riding, or driving. His passion for horses, knowledge, experience, and down to earth approach has helped people across generations learn to appreciate and work with horses, build confidence, and be inspired.
Whether through his work at Fairview College, teaching and judging 4-H, service on various boards, organizing working horse field days, or providing personal instruction, Walter is an admirable ambassador for horses and the equine industry.
Jack Shire
Jack Shire was always performing or taking family and friends for a wagon ride. Jack was involved with Kelso 4H club. He was a member of the Canadian Donkey and Mule Association and the Wheels and Saddles club in SE Saskatchewan. Jack rode across Saskatchewan twice – in the 1992 Ride for Canada 125 and in the Challenge ’94 Cross Canada Trail.
Jack trained animals his entire life. Jack’s career as a showman began as a young man and developed into a lifelong passion for working with and training horses, mules and his pride and joy, Tex.
He drove buffalo and oxen in the Calgary Stampede parade. Jack trained his long-horn steer, Tex, to turn with all four feet on a 14” square pedestal, balance a teeter totter, jump through a hoop, take a carrot from Jack’s mouth, ride under saddle, drive a cart and kneel and bow. Tex performed locally at Minot State Fair and in Golden and Salmon Arm B.C. Tex starred in a CBC production and in a movie produced in Winnipeg Mb.
Marjory Shire
Marjory Shire was involved in the enhancement of the horse world. She was a leader for the Kelso Light Horse 4H club, a member of the Wheels and Saddles club, organizer of the Moosomin Therapeutic Riding program, a founding member of the Heritage Classic Horse show, and the Saskatchewan representative to the National Canadian Equestrian Recreational Riding Committee. Marjory helped organize the provincial and local Long Riders clubs and the Moose Mountain Long Riders and was an organizer of Ride Canada 125 in 1992. Marj was invited to Ottawa for the July 1st celebration by the Canadian Equestrian Federation. On Feb 20, 1993, Marjory was awarded the SHF President’s award for outstanding achievement for her contribution to Ride Canada 125. In 1993 Marj assisted in recreating history by following the Boundary Commission Trail taken by the Mounties from Roche Percy to the Big Muddy Valley. In 1994 Marjory was involved in creating the Saskatchewan portion of a cross Canada Trail – Challenge ’94.
Marjory was quoted as saying, “My partner and mate of 35 years (Jack) has always been beside me in any of my endeavors and any recognition I receive is equally his”.
Gilbert (Gil) & Georgina Robbins
Gib Robbins was born on his father’s original homestead near Laura, Saskatchewan on April 25, 1911. On October 12, 1940, he married Georgina Skiriving and they raised a family of two sons and one daughter.
The Robbins bought a small farm of their own and in 1944 they purchased two Clydesdale mares from their brother-in-law, Jim Morris. These mares were Phyllis Footprint, along with her dam, Lady Dunduff. Two years later, they purchased another mare from Jim, Lady Strathore. They used a stallion by the name of Netherpride, grandson of Dunure Footprint, owned by Georgina’s father. Not only did the Robbins have good breeding horses, but they raised and sold some very good geldings. The Hallamore Clydesdales purchased Monarch, one of their best.
Gib was active in many other agriculture related areas as well. Those activities included announcing chuck wagon and chariot races for a number of years, as well as volunteering with the Saskatchewan Clydesdale Association, The Saskatchewan Horse Breeder’s Association and the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon.
Gib passed away in 2000. He was 89.
High Chaparral
This super star was born in 1983 on Mike Shapley’s ranch north of Maple Creek. Mike actually broke him to ride but didn’t have enough work to keep the high-lifed gelding occupied, so when the horse was four, Mike sold him to stock contractor Don Peterson for $1,000 plus a promise that if the grey went to the NFR, Peterson would spring for a trip.
That year, High Chaparral was voted the Canadian Cowboys Association Bareback horse of the Year and in 1988, he was chosen for the NFR, bringing home a plaque proclaiming him the second-best horse there. The Shapley’s, courtesy of Don Peterson, were in the stands.
High Chaparral went on to become a two-time world champion.
In 1997, the Maple Creek rodeo grounds were christened High Chaparral Arena in honor of their home-range hero. In 2003, High Chaparral was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame.
High Chaparral died December 22, 2007.
If you know someone or a horse who has contributed to the equine industry in Saskatchewan make sure to nominate them!
Find the nomination forms here!
The Saskatchewan Horse Federation acknowledges the support of Sask Lotteries, the main fundraiser for over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups.
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