by Angela Pipe
While at the 2006 National Penning Finals in Calgary, Angela Pipe (a member of the SpokesSisters, an all women’s fundraising motorcycle group) was asked what the group did in the off-season.
“Nothing yet,” she replied. “But we’re looking for an event or two to tie in with.”
The National penning action below continued with the entrance of three local gals. Then the person beside Pipe said, “What might be fun would be for your group to tie in with a ladies team penning? When do those take place?”
There was a long pause as Pipe replied, “I don’t know of one.” That was short lived.
On March 25, 2006, 51 lady penners gathered at the Okotoks Agriplex to meet 10 women motorcyclists who had organized the SpokesSisters 1st Annual Horsepower to the Max Ladies Only Team Penning.
We had looked for, and found, a common denominator. It was horsepower.
Whether it was on a penning horse or astride a motorcycle, the event was geared towards women who loved their horsepower and the feel of the wind on their faces. These were women who, more than likely, knew what it was like to have a bug or two in their teeth. These were also women who knew how to make a difference.
In the previous five years, the SpokesSisters had raised almost $100,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Prairies/ NWT. Their goal that day in March 2006 was to add another $5,000.
In that same year, the statistics showing that 1 in 9 women would be diagnosed with breast cancer rang true for the motorcycle group. One of the SpokesSisters had found a lump, and it was breast cancer. It just made things that much more personal.
The title of the day’s event “Horsepower to the Max” had been created to honour a team penner from Edmonton who was currently fighting breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. Her name was Maxine.
The day was filled with all things pink. Pink tablecloths, masses of pink flowers, bowls of pink bubblegum and four-ft pink ribbons greeted the penners that morning.
Giddy Up Bags (registration gifts) were handed out. And then 10 pink stallions galloped into the arena. These stallions were the cowboy husbands and significant others decked out in boots, buckles, and hats and topped off with black tuxedo jackets and pink ties that stole the show … and a heart or two.
At the end of the penning, which included a Calcutta for the Top Ten Ladies Teams, the incredible generosity of the cattle-penning world had far exceeded their goal of $5,000. Their total was $29,000!
Winning buckles were handed out and top ten teams each received a gift.
On June 2, 2007, Positively Horsepower 2007, the SpokesSisters Second Annual Ladies Only Team Penning was held in support of the Calgary Health Trust and the new Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
The funds raised will be put towards the furnishing of a recovery room, to include comfortable seating, lighting, art, and music: things that can help make a worrisome time just that much easier.
This time the Okotoks AgriPlex played host to 75 lady penners, more pink flowers, hundreds of bubble gum pieces, and deliciously pink Giddy Up buckets!
The enthusiasm was just as intense, the pink stallions even more handsome and, as per usual, the generosity of the penning community absolutely incredible.
To add to the excitement and fundraising, a silent auction was held and an additional Calcutta was added.
The stallions each threw in a $100 for a penning run. Then male members of the audience were asked to join in. The Men’s Calcutta became quite raucous as ties were loosened and buttons undone!
As of this writing, the final tally has reached $47,500.
We are looking forward to the Third Annual Ladies Only Team Penning, to being part of such an incredible community, to relish in the excitement and fun and, of course, to seeing all things pink … especially those stallions.
