She found there were not a lot of rides in the area, so she started hosting them as a ride manager. There was a beautiful area at Souris Bend WMA, so they developed temporary trails, both marked and unmarked. In 1993, Margetts was approached by a provincial employee with a grant to permanently mark the trail. This has been a continual passion for her to keep this area marked and ready for endurance riders. She said in the last few years, she has been putting the names of sponsors on the signs.
Margetts developed to the point where she competed internationally. This included being a part of the Canadian Equestrian Team in the 160km at the World Championships in Dubai, UAE. In 2001, she competed at the World Cup and at the Pan Ams in Vermont. She also competed internationally in Washington in 2003 and returned to the UAE in 2005.
She has had numerous awards in high point, best conditioned and War Horse categories. She has podium finishes at FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) events and has completed the prestigious Tevis Cup on three occasions.
Margetts also sold horses to Arab sheiks and trained female riders in the UAE, actually swimming them in the waters at the now very newsy Strait of Hormuz.
Margetts organized the Pan Am Games in Spruce Woods in 1999. Other riding groups in Winnipeg were not interested in having an endurance ride as part of the games, and so they did not give her help. The FEI in Switzerland were interested however, and she went ahead. It was an expensive endeavor, but with sponsorships, help from the park and others, they were able to put on a very successful event, with international judges and more than 100 competitors.
“It was maybe the biggest accomplishment of my life putting that all together. I thought there was no reason endurance should not be part of the Pan Am Games.”
She also hosted the Canadian Championships in Spruce Woods in 2004.
Margetts has been involved in mentoring young riders, having one recently competing in Chile. A few Americans have also done well, talking about learning at “Camp Myna”. She said it is very important to train properly, as you can wreck a horse if it is done wrong. It can take three years, and you have to increase speed and distance separately.
Margetts is putting on a ride in her yard with 50 riders this weekend. She is mentoring a couple of riders, and they will be competing in August in the Rider vs Runner part of the Souris Bend Endurance race. She said they are tired of having the runners win against the horses, so are training their riders hard.
“That is my goal this year.”
She does not do the longer rides, but still competes. It is not a passive sport, as the rider is heavily involved physically. Margetts said she feels she is giving back to the sport by maintaining trails, and is trying to develop a new trail west of Killarney.
“I think it is so important for people to come out and enjoy nature,” she said. “If they’re ever going to protect it, they need to get out into it.”
Overall, she is very pleased with her recent honour and what it says.
“I am quite excited with the award for a lifetime of work.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff