After six years in the show ring, Kari and Kim Kondratowicz have paid
their dues and are now reaping the rewards.
The identical twin sisters from Saskatoon had the grand champion female
Charolais at the Calgary Stampede.
It is not the 19-year-old pair’s first time in the spotlight among
older, more experienced cattle handlers. They have won awards at the
Toronto Royal Winter Fair, Farmfair in Edmonton, events in Saskatoon
and Prince Albert and past Stampedes.
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Their parents, Peter and Robyn Kondratowicz, always used Charolais
bulls on commercial cows but when the girls saw the big white breed
perform at a Saskatoon female show, they were hooked.
“We watched them at the Cinderella Classic and knew we wanted to do
that. They were like the belles of the ball,” said Kari.
The family now runs 40 purebred cows under the name Bar K Charolais.
The twins’ involvement in 4-H gave them the basics on showing,
grooming, clipping and presentation. The whole family is involved in
showing activities but the preparation work belongs to the girls who
excel at polishing, preening and performance before the judges.
“Mom and Dad always let us do it and some really nice people pointed
out things to us,” said Kim.
The twins work well as a team. Kim likes grooming and Kari prefers the
walk before the judges.
When they were growing up, they attended a city high school but when
the big fairs such as Canadian Western Agribition or the Royal Winter
Fair in Toronto beckoned, they played hooky.
“Mom and Dad let us skip. They thought it was important. I don’t know
if the teachers ever understood,” Kim said.
When it comes time to select a new string for the show season, the
girls work with their father to pick out the animals with the best
winning potential. Within a month they have their selections in shape.
This year’s Stampede entrants were prepared more quickly since the two
had just returned from a six month long backpacking trip across
Australia.
After 19 years of doing everything together, the two are ready to walk
down different career paths. Kim has applied to Westjet Airlines and
eventually hopes to pursue film production, while Kari is moving into
broadcasting.
