By Cassie Hausauer, Photos by Tara McKenzie Fotos
RED DEER, Alberta — Ladies from the western community packed the house at The Harvest Centre at Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alberta on the night of October 22. A sold-out crowd enjoyed shopping from some of Alberta\’s best western style boutiques, a fashion show, and guest speaker Amberley Snyder.
Snyder is a professional barrel racer who was in a rollover accident in 2009, that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Just months after the accident she was back on a horse, more determined than ever.
In a room full of nearly 400 women, one could hear a pin drop as Amberley captivated the audience with her story.
Trish Fossum Granger drove three hours with two excited young ladies.
\”My daughters best friend was in a car accident when she was four years old,\” Granger said. \”Hanna has overcome many obstacles over the last nine years. She rides horses, ski races, shows her 4-H steer just to name a few. Her dream was to meet her inspiration Amberley Snyder. Thanks to the G3 Event\’s, not only did she get to hear Amberley speak, the amazing ladies who organized this event made sure that she was able to meet her.\”
Wendy Bunney from Edmonton is already looking forward to next year.
\”Everyone I spoke to kept saying what a stellar event it was and the hosts should be commended for pulling it off! Amazing, fun night, and my credit card took a few hits, but I got some great deals! Sure hoping this is a repeat next year!\” said Bunney.
Charlsey Whittemore, Owner of B & B Clothing Boutique was delighted to be a part of the event.
\”Inspiration, friendship, and shopping describe the event to a T,\” Whittemore said. \”Not only did guest speaker Amberley Snyder captivate the entire room but the opportunity of being surrounded by other successful boutique owners was an inspiration on its own. The ladies definitely came to shop! On behalf of all of the boutiques we can’t thank the event organizers enough.\”
Taylor Cox came with nine other women, who were all looking forward to a night out.
\”Grit, Glamour and Goals-Night at the Marquis was a very well-organized, fun paced, exciting girl’s night out that myself and many others look forward to attending again in the future!\” Cox said. \”They also had wicked door prizes and great wine! Love my baseball cap and who doesn\’t love free wine?!\”
Event organizers had decided to create a scholarship for a deserving recipient. Ladies were encouraged to write an essay explaining why they deserved the scholarship and how they are helping the sport of rodeo. Entrants had to be an active member of the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and be enrolled in a minimum six week course.
This years Grit, Glamour & Goals scholarship recipient is Brittainy Smith who attends the University of Lethbridge taking her Bachelor of Science majoring in neuroscience.
\”Two of my good friends, Hope Skoocdopole and Nikki Vanderlee were with me watching the live feed of the scholarship announcement,\” Smith said. \”I was beaming with joy and excitement after the incredible words from the ladies presenting the scholarship. My friends gave me a hug and said I deserved it. To be honest I cried a little from and the cheering and love I felt. I would love to thank each one of the organizers for putting on such an amazing event for women in the western community. I have received other scholarships but this one will be one of the most memorable.\”
Organizers of the show, Brittany Forsyth, Rayel Daines and Cassie Hausauer are thankful for the support of the western community for this event. Moving forward, they have some serious planning to do to for their next event.
\”Overall, there is nothing I would change about how our first event went,\” Forsyth said. \”Attendees expressed their happiness and everyone was tickled to be there. G3 has a lot of wheels turning already and you can definitely expect more to come from us.\”
To view more photos of the event, check out G3\’s Facebook Page.
About G3 Events:
Grit, Glamour & Goals; G3 Events was created by Brittany Forsyth, Cassie Hausauer and Rayel Daines in the spring of 2016 with the goal in mind to create events which celebrates the modern western woman, to bring people together to encourage, celebrate and support one another, and for a night of fun and motivation. G3 has also created the Grit, Glamour & Goals Scholarship. For more, visit G3 Events on Facebook or Instagram.