CATHERINE ELSA MCCULLAGH (STEWART)

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CATHERINE ELSA MCCULLAGH Catherine Elsa McCullagh (nee Stewart) passed away on December 12, 2018, surrounded by friends and family. She was predeceased by her father Burton Stewart (Lauri) in 2011. Catherine is lovingly remembered by her mother Sheryl Stewart, husband Kurt, sons, Brennan and Kieran, brother Cameron (Allison), sister Kalynn (Paul), nieces, Makayla and Annika, nephews, Karson and Camden, and many close uncles, aunts and cousins. Catherine was born in Winnipeg on September 3, 1966. Her early years were spent in Headingley and moved into Charleswood when she was four. Catherine attended Chapman Elementary, St. Mary's Academy, and St. John's Ravenscourt. Catherine's post secondary school years involved studies at the University of Manitoba and Western Washington University. Her studies varied from Sciences, Speech Pathology to Agriculture. It was through university that Catherine met Kurt and it was love at first sight. Catherine quickly taught Kurt how to clean stalls and fix the stuff horses broke. Once he was trained properly, they were married in 1995 and moved to the farm in Stonewall. Catherine worked as a livestock nutritionist for a few years at SuperTech Feeds until Brennan and Kieran were born. While being a mother to two boys under two, she decided to pursue her true dream. It was time to start her own horse boarding and training barn. Quarry Ridge Farms (QRF) was born. While living in Headingley, Catherine was introduced to horses and this started a lifelong passion. Catherine started riding at a young age spending countless hours training at McMullen Stables and Westgates, becoming a very accomplished rider. She went on to compete in horse shows from Manitoba to British Columbia, as well as Washington State including spending some time at Spruce Meadows. QRF became a huge success due to Catherine's determination and skill as head coach with a peak of 45 students on 15 school horses. QRF was also home base for the Quarry Ridge Pony Club which at one time was the largest club in the region. All this in a six-stall barn and Catherine loved it. One can imagine the chaos of operating the farm so it is no surprise that Catherine parked her own riding career while she helped her students with theirs. Along the way Catherine found time to train both Brennan and Kieran to help them become accomplished riders. As a benefit of semi-retirement from the barn, Catherine was able to compete again after an 18-year absence. She "still had it" to use her words and rode until she didn't have the strength to swing her leg over the saddle. Catherine has a special talent of giving her time and energy to others, gaining satisfaction and fulfilment in their achievements. She was quite involved in Pony Club, the Rockwood Festival of the Arts, the Manitoba Dirt Riders and the Manitoba Hunter Jumper Association. Catherine was especially proud of her boys in their academics, musical talents, equestrian ventures and motorsport activities. They were and always will be her focus and number one achievement. A celebration in Catherine's honour will be held at The Gates on Roblin on January 4, starting at 7:00 p.m. Please bring your favourite stories about Catherine and share them with her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, one may make a donation in Catherine's name to Ovarian Cancer Canada. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 18, 2018, Dec 22, 2018