Shelly Mowery Courageous Cowgirl Award
— Kate Lilley
Student and cowgirl Kate Lilley has
learned a lot about trusting in God
going through some difficult experi-
ences this year. She considers her
proudest achievement to be letting go
and letting God help her in control-
ling her fear and guiding her horses
to many wins in the National Reining
Horse Association.
Even with all her wins, she has
overcome many personal challenges
in her career. Some of them include
“standing up to bullies and learn-
ing to breakaway rope while still
competing with my reining horses,”
she said. “Handling a rope requires
developing some skill. It took a lot
of persistent practice and determina-
tion.”
The Cutting Horse Capital of the
World has been a huge influence
on the young cowgirl’s life, with her
favorite place in our beautiful town
being our tranquil Chandor Gardens.
“I love the cowboy atmosphere of
Parker County. You see boots, spurs
and hats all over town,” she said. “I
love the architecture of our court-
house and the downtown buildings. It
makes you feel like you are in an old
west town. I have become an excel-
lent shopper in our downtown busi-
nesses. Parker County also has fabu-
lous peaches and great restaurants.”
Lilley is happiest when at home
with her family and pets and every-
thing is peaceful. Right now she
is relaxing by reading “Once,” by
Morris Gleitzman. It’s about a Jewish
boy’s experience of the Holocaust
and is very moving.
Obviously, she is most comfort-
able wearing boots, jeans and a
T-shirt and wears the ensemble prac-
tically everywhere she goes. Besides
winning awards, Lilley is currently
working hard to be an equine veteri-
narian specializing in reproduction
because she loves foals.
Lilley gives back to the commu-
nity by being a peacemaker to her
friends, and helping those in need
at the Senior Center and Center of
Hope.
“I help my neighbor. Loving your
neighbors is important,” she said.
Dr. Noel Bryan Veterinary Medicine
Award — Dr. James A. Synowsky
24
Dr. James Synowsky, DVM, has
devoted his life to equine reproduc-
tion with his business Championship
Equine LLP. His family bought the
property next to Sugar Tree Club in
the 1970s before the golf course was
built.
“Champion Embryo Transfer
Service is a mare- and foal-focused
equine reproduction and embryo
transfer facility,” Dr. Synowsky said.
“It was established with the goal
of combining a high reproduction
success rate with exceptional custom-
er service.”
Champion Embryo Transfer
Service was founded in 2012 as
Champion Equine LLP. Just before the
2018 breeding season, Dr. Synowsky
took sole ownership and used the
opportunity to transition to Champion
Embryo Transfer Service, offering the
same great success rates with even
better customer service. The busi-
ness focuses on the mares already on
site and clients bring their own stud
horse. The recipient mares are pretty
great-looking on their own. Some are
former competitors and some of them
are cutting horses that didn’t make
the cut.
Dr. Synowsky and his wife Kendra
live in Dennis. He is the vice chair-
man of the Texas Equine Practice
Committee for the Texas Veterinary
Medical Association and a member of
the American Association of Equine
Practitioners and the American
Veterinary Medical Association.
Not only does Dr. Synowsky have
a passion for veterinary medicine,
but also for his community and the
people in it. In 2017, he was elected
the first mayor of Dennis.
Dr. Synowsky was born and raised
in Fort Worth, though he spent most
of his free time at his family ranch
hunting, fishing, baling hay and
working cattle. He graduated with
honors with a Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine from St. George’s
University after spending his clinical
year at Oklahoma State University.
After completing a year internship at
Royal Vista Southwest, he was asked
to stay on as an associate veterinar-
ian and continued there until 2011,
when he decided it was time to move
back to Texas and establish his own
firm — Champion Equine LLP.