Ottawa, ON, May 6, 2026 — The Equestrian Canada (EC) National Breed Sports Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 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 2025 recipients are as follows:
SADDLE SEAT RIDER OF THE YEAR
Tana Smith, AB
“I am so grateful to be achieving this award with my talented partner “Ubetcha” aka Dawson. I’d like to thank Ayden Heemeryk for sharing her special boy with me and allowing me the chance to compete with such an amazing equitation horse. I also want to thank my trainer Brittany Rogers for all the time and effort she put in for me to get to this point.”
Photo: Blou Bates Photography
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED HORSE OF THE YEAR
Mistress of the North
Owner: Stacey Thorp, AB
Breeder: Pamela Heiman, Oregon, USA
Mistress of the North (Freya) is a remarkable 10 year old mare whose elegance, presence, and unwavering patience allowed her to stand out from her fellow competitors. With a natural sense of style and grace, Freya competes successfully in Pleasure Driving, In Hand, and Show Pleasure divisions alongside her rider, Stacey Thorp. Together, Freya and Stacey are a testament to growth earned through dedication, trust, and perseverance. Their partnership has evolved through countless hours of hard work, guided by the unwavering belief and expertise of their coach and trainer, Archie Hurst. Through his mentorship, Archie has consistently brought out the very best in both horse and rider, shaping them into a confident and harmonious team. Bred by Pamela and Shelah Heiman, Freya stands as a beautiful example of the breed’s versatility, athleticism, and refinement.
Photo: Blou Bates Photography
MORGAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
Miz Scarlett
Owner: Angela Beerwort, AB
Breeder: Bernd and Nathalie Langstaedtler, AB
Riding Blush has been the greatest honour and journey I have gone on. Blush and I became a team in the winter of 2024. I had just decided to start showing competitively again after a two year break of no riding or competing. Blush was up for a lease and my coach, Brittany Rogers, thought her and I would make a good duo. Little did Brittany know she gave me my soul horse and my best friend. Blush and I have the same personalities. We both are not the biggest in the show ring, but we have enough attitude and sass to draw the attention to us while we compete. Outside of the ring my lessons on Blush usually consist of my coach telling my horse how adorable and cute she is. It is an incredible honour to receive the award of Morgan Horse of The Year from Equine Canada. I look forward to the 2026 show season, and I know Blush will continue to make people turn their heads and bring attention to her sassy personality.
Photo: Blou Bates Photography
ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
KHS Simplicyty
Owner: Brooke Bureau, AB
Breeder: Susan Fyfe, AB
Thank you to Equestrian Canada and the Arabian Horse Association for recognizing KHS Simplicyty (Chancey) as the 2025 Equestrian Canada Arabian Horse of the Year. This honour truly means so much to us. This recognition reflects the dedication, partnership, and passion that go into working with these incredible horses every day. There is something truly extraordinary about Chancey’s abilities and spirit. The bond we share is something I cherish deeply. He gives his whole heart in everything he does, and I feel incredibly fortunate to partner with him. This award is a true testament to his talent, spirit, and heart. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way – my trainer Leanne Tomanek, and the rest of my Tomanek Farms family. A special thank you to my mom and dad for always being there for us; we couldn’t have done this without you. We look forward to continuing to grow in the sport and to proudly represent the Arabian breed. Thank you again for this incredible honour.
Photo: Dallas Gerbrandt
HALF-ARABIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR
He Be Jammin
Owner: Lorraine Prowse, AB
Breeder: Allyssa Baird, Oregon, USA
Buying a young horse is always a leap of faith, but Lorraine Prowse knew the moment she first saw He Be Jammin (Jay) as a yearling that he was exactly what she had been searching for. Now nine years old, Jay has developed into the quintessential show horse. Big, bold, and undeniably beautiful, Jay commands attention every time he enters the ring. Under the expert guidance of Ehret Equine, Lorraine and Jay have earned championships at every national show they’ve attended. Few horses can storm into a halter class, snorting, playing, and showing off at the end of a lead and then seamlessly transition into an under saddle class with an amateur rider, but that rare versatility is part of what makes Jay exceptional. Being named the 2025 Equestrian Canada Half-Arabian of the Year reflects the dedication, teamwork, and passion of everyone who has played a role in Jay’s journey, from his breeder to his trainers, and his many supporters behind the scenes. It is an honour to win this award.
Photo: Avalon Photography LLC.
The EC Breed Sports Committee is responsible for leading the strategy on programs and services for breed sports development in Canada. EC would like to thank the Breed Sports Committee for their time and effort in selecting the recipients. The 2025 EC Breed Sports Committee is comprised of Donna Kavanagh (Chair, Arabians, AB), Ashley Cook Fletcher (American Saddlebred, ON), Lisa Ross (Morgan, ON), Samantha Eidsness (Welsh Pony & Cob, BC), Penny McKee (Canadian Road Horse Association, QC), Faith Kent Robillard (Hackney, ON) and Raylene McWade (Saddleseat Canada, AB).
Questions? Comments?
Jean Klosowicz
EC Staff Appointee to the Committee
jklosowicz@equestrian.ca