Charlene Gale’s horses may be miniature, but they have mighty talent.
Owner of the Circle J Ranch located near Cochrane, Gale took home a big win at the Calgary Stampede’s Canadian National Miniature Horse Show (CNMHS) from July 8 to 10.
Thanks in part to her two horses Circle J Zachary and Circle J Dezigner Games, Gale was awarded the Lord Sterling Cup Champion.
Having competed at the Stampede for more than 30 years, Gale said she couldn’t remember how many times she has won the cup.
“Quite a few times,” she guessed, adding that each win is still an honour.
Gale attributed her success in the competition this year to the horses – the duo have competed together six times.
“They’ve both been driving for 10 years. They have a lot of experience. They’re very well broken, calm and quiet horses, so I know if we don’t do well, it’s because of me, not them,” said Gale.
She said during the competition, teams of horses were judged on their ability to pull together evenly, move as a team, their walking and trotting style, complete an even figure eight and back up to a dock.
Gale said preparation for a competition varies for each horse and each team.
Raising and showing miniature horses has been a generational family affair for Gale.
Her father, Merv Giles, started Circle J Ranch in 1981.
Today, Gale and her daughter Kendra own about 17 miniatures and offer various programs for horse lovers. Her father also owns about 20 miniatures, she said, adding he played an important role in the development of the CNMHS.
Gale’s father was the chair of the Miniature Horse Committee at the Stampede since about 1982.
“There’s been one of us on the committee ever since,” she said, adding her father was responsible for persuading Lord Sterling to sponsor the multiple class hitch at the Stampede.
Gale said even though the ranch takes a lot of work, it’s something she still enjoys.
“We do it because we really like it,” she said. “It’s a test against myself to see how well I can do in the competition.”
