Congratulations to Equestrian Canada’s Breed Sport 2023 Award Recipients

Breed Sports are an equestrian discipline committed to the development and promotion of specific breeds of horses. In Canada, these include American Saddlebred, Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian; Hackney; Morgan; Road Horse and Welsh Pony and Cob.

Each breed-specific group or club is committed to the promotion, protection, and development of its breed. Competitions range from judging horses’ conformation in-hand, to English, Western, Saddle Seat, and/or Driving classes dedicated to the ideals of the breed.

The National Breed Sports Committee of Equestrian Canada (EC) each year recognizes individuals and horses that have achieved personal excellence through tireless effort in breed sports and supported the sports’ growth across the country. The following include the 2023 recipients of these honours.

From Lauren:

“Perfectly Nutty (Nacho) is such a special and talented horse. He gives me his all 24/7 and I could not ask for anything more from this incredible partner. He will forever be by my side and a part of our equine family. Nacho’s success is very much because of the many people who support us along the way. This goes to my parents in particular, as well as the caretakers and trainers of the past and present. Special thanks as well to Alberta Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Equestrian Canada for this special recognition and support. “

From Raylene McWade, EC Breed Sports Committee:

“Perfectly Nutty (aka Nacho) has become one of the American Saddlebreds to watch out for in Alberta since 2019! He has become a consistent winner for owner Angela Fong and his rider, Lauren Off-Fong. With multiple wins this wonderful gelding truly is a pleasure to cheer for any time he steps into the show ring. Trained by Leanne Tomanek of Tomanek Farms in Sherwood Park, AB, and Catriana Kozijn of Kozy Stables, Beaumont, AB, in 2023, he earned top honors in the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alberta’s annual awards and was named #1 on the association’s Top Ten, High Point 3-Gaited Show Pleasure, Reserve Open English Pleasure.”

From Raylene McWade:

“Ayden accrued her points at four Equestrian Canada shows and one USEF show during the 2023 show season. Ayden topped off her last junior exhibitor show season by winning two Saddle Seat Equitation Championships at three different shows and two Reserve Championships in American Saddlebred Show Pleasure. We congratulate Ayden on a stellar junior exhibitor career, in which she has demonstrated a strong work ethic, being a role model for young riders and shown true partnership with her equine partner, Ubetcha (barn name Dawson.)”

From Ayden:

“To win this award with my Saddlebred, Dawson, is definitely a dream come true. I have trained through blood, sweat and tears to achieve my goals with Dawson and it feels surreal to have the honour of winning this award. To me, this award reflects my dedication and commitment towards this sport; all the hours I’ve spent in and out of the saddle for the last 10 years. It means even more to me as 2023 was my last season as a junior, and our first full show season together. I could not be more grateful for this award and everyone who has supported me through it all.”

From Skye Davies:

“Receiving news about ‘Monty’ being Equestrian Canada’s Morgan Horse of the Year made me look back on the goal I set for us as a team for 2023. Having shown Monty since 2013 with many highs and lows throughout out the years, I started the 2023 show season with one goal. I just wanted to have fun showing my horse, because no matter what, he is always a fun horse to show and ride. With that easy goal, and low pressure, it made for a very successful season that surpassed all my expectations for a 20-year-old horse, that many would have already retired. We always knew he was special and this year he proved it time and time again.” (Monty had the highest accumulated points for the year.)

From Marla:

“I purchased Reyvolution in the spring 2018 from LaRae Fletcher Powell at Silver Aspen Ranch after seeing a sales ad for their “deal of the week” horse. I was smitten and my trainer, Nicki Muller and I were quickly on a road trip to see him. Although he was very green, I hoped he would become a nice western horse but as we worked with him it became apparent that he would be better suited to dressage and hunter pleasure where he has excelled. At his fourth show later that year, Rey and I won the US Sport Horse National Championship in Arabian Training Level Dressage AAOTR. He has continued to develop into a wonderful show horse, winning 12 Regional Championships in hunter pleasure, dressage, sport horse and sport horse show hack. In the last couple of years he has won three Canadian National Championships in Arabian Hunter Pleasure AATR, Western Dressage and Western Dressage ATR. Rey has not only gone far beyond my expectations as a show horse, he also has a very sweet personality. I’m looking forward to many more years with my special boy.”

About Last Knight is a 16-year-old Half-Arabian mare who, over the course of her career, has been nothing less than extraordinary. She has competed at the highest levels of competition for the Youth, Amateur and Open levels in Canada and the US in her lifetime, garnering a total of 25 National Champion or Reserve Championship titles at the US, Youth, and Canadian National Championships. In 2023, About Last Knight was awarded the US National Champion in the HA Hunter Pl 19-39 as well as the Reserve National Champion in the HA Pl AAOTR Jackpot in addition to being named the 3x National Champion at Canada’s Arabian Nationals. She has produced one multi-national Champion foal with titles in the US and Canada. Both are lovingly owned by Arianna Bell and Norrie-Shan Fyfe and thoughtfully trained by Ehret Equine.