A pair of sisters local to the Strathmore area are making waves across the trick riding scene in Alberta. 

11-year-old Tessa Zakariasen and Dunny perform together for the first time!

Gracie Piper (17) and Katie Zakariasen (16), and their younger sisters Preslee Piper (12) and Tessa Zakariasen (11), have been performing at rodeos across southern Alberta together for 5 years now.  

The Piper sisters are from in town here in Strathmore and thank their grandfather for letting them keep their horses at his farm. The Zakariasens live just outside of Standard!  

Recently, they left crowds in a state of awe at the Rockyford Lions Bullarama event on July 24. 

“We were really glad to be back,” explained Gracie Piper. “We haven't done a show in almost a year and a half by that point. It was really nice to see crowds and people. 

All of the girls started trick riding at very young ages and have been immersed in the rodeo world ever since. They met at a trick riding clinic and are now inseparable 

“I was five and my mom just said ‘do you want to try trick riding?” Piper continued. “Then she took me to a lesson and that's kind of what started it.”  

While the outfits are sparkly and the girls make their tricks look easy, there is a lot of time and effort that goes into training.  

“We have to pattern our horses to trick ride and they have to be able to like carry your weight on the side. You also have to have a pretty calm horse because most horses don't really like you hanging all over them,” Katie Zakariasen chuckled.  

16-year-old Katie Zakariasen and horse Lonesome perform a daring move!These brave ladies put themselves in crazy positions on these horses which takes an insane amount of strength. They all say that it is the horses who are the unsung heroes of the show. Rebel, Cherokee, Lonesome, and Dunny all have been in the industry for years.  

This awesome girl gang is looking forward to their next show in Cochrane on August 21.  

Tessa Zakaraisen explained that the reason why they are so entertaining is that they don’t take themselves super seriously, "If you mess up, you just own it and move on!”  

“Interacting with the crowd is honestly the most important part,” Gracie Piper continued. “Because you could do like the coolest tricks, but if you don't interact with the crowd and you don't help them get excited it is less entertaining. It just helps a lot more when you interact with them.” 

The girls are hoping to perform at as many events as they can this year. They are currently working on getting an Instagram account set up for bookings. Until now, those interested can message @gracie_piper_trickriding on Instagram!  

 

12-year-old Preslee Piper and Cherokee!