Ottawa, ON, April 29, 2025 — The Equestrian Canada (EC) National Breed Sports Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Breed Sport Year-End Awards. These awards recognize individuals and equines that have put countless hours and tireless effort towards the pursuit of personal excellence in breed sports, and the sports’ growth in Canada. The recipients were selected based on high point criteria and exceptional performance. These meaningful awards focus specifically on performances within a one-year timeframe.
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
SADDLE SEAT RIDER OF THE YEAR
Tana Smith, AB
I am grateful and honored to have achieved such a prestigious award. This is one of the goals I sought to achieve as a walk-trot exhibitor and with the amazing support of my coach and trainer Brittany Rogers these goals were able to come to fruition. I also want to thank Ayden Heemeryk for the chance to ride an amazing equitation horse “Ubetcha” (Bred by Raylene McWade). I love the saddle seat division for its ability to portray grace, equitation and showmanship in a single class. Tana Smith was selected as the award recipient by Saddle Seat Canada. Photo: Country Wild Photography.
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED HORSE OF THE YEAR
The Flashpoint, Rider Milaya Stone, AB
The Flashpoint (Nemo) is such a talented guy with a twist of “you show me what you’ve got and I’ll show you what I’ve got”. Every time Nemo stepped into the show ring he was ready to work, giving it 110%. This award is very much because of the many people who have supported us along the way. This goes to my barn families at Rogers Riding Academy, my coach Brittany Rogers and especially my parents. These people have been our cheerleaders, mentors and supporters along the way. I am very grateful for this award and my teammate “The Flashpoint!” Bred by Pamela and Shelah Heiman. The Flashpoint was selected as the award recipient by the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Canada in cooperation with ASHA of Alberta. Photo: Sheryl Stone.
HALF-ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
WT Studebaker Owned by Colleen Kramer, BC
WT Studebaker is a half Arabian, half Westphalian 8-year-old gelding that competes in the Sport Horse division. He competes in sport horse in hand, sport horse under saddle, and dressage with owner Colleen Kramer, trainer Todd Ehret, and Carson Ehret. His 2024 show year included 7 National Championship, 3 Reserve National Championship and 9 Regional Championship placings. Bred by Sandra Nielsen of Wild Timber Farm. WT Studebaker was selected for this award by the Canadian Partbred Arabian Register (CPAR). Photo: Barbara Gardner, National Horseman.
PUREBRED ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
Royal Hamilton Owned by Lorraine Prowse, AB
Royal Hamilton or “Hamm” is a 6-year-old purebred Arabian gelding bred by Cindy MacGowan and Mark Davis of Royal Arabians in Arizona. Hamm has proven himself to be an exceptional show horse and earned numerous championships in the 2024 show season in several divisions, including sport horse under saddle, sport horse in hand, halter, and performance halter. It is a special horse that knows when to be spicy and when to settle into work and Hamm has learned to do just that. From bright-eyed, tail up into the halter ring to standing quietly for children to pet him and feed him treats, he shows all the great qualities of an Arabian horse. It is an honour for this special gelding to be named the 2024 Equestrian Canada Arabian Horse of the Year. Royal Hamilton was selected for this award by the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry (CAHR). Photo: Avalon Photography LLC.
MORGAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
IGF Byzsolini Owned by Hailey Steffensen, AB
I am so excited and honoured to accept this award for my horse Byzy as the 2024 Equestrian Canada Morgan Horse of the Year. He is an amazing horse, insanely talented and I am so proud of him. 2024 was my very first season competing with him and we accomplished so much as a team. Byzy has helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities. He loves showing and gives it his all as soon as he enters the arena, and he looks amazing doing it! I’m so thankful to my coach, Brittany Rogers, for finding him for me. I look forward to our season together again this year in 2025. Thank you! – Hailey Steffensen, age 15. Byzy was bred by Russel and Judith Roberts. Byzy was selected for this award by the Canadian Morgan Horse Association (CMHA). Photo: Howard Schatzberg