The Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association’s very successful 2016 National Inspection Tour began September 17th in Alberta, followed by B.C. the next day, and came to a conclusion Sunday September 25th at the wonderful new show facility Meadowlarke North, near Erin, Ontario.
The main focus, the Stallion Licensing saw nine stallions recommended for breeding, three each in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. It was exciting to see the high quality young stallions from Canadian approved sires where all but one were Canadian bred and the majority CWHBA registered.This is a clear indication of the maturity of the Canadian Warmblood breeding program!
A number of outstanding quality mares were also presented at each of the sites with once again the majority of mares receiving premium scores. Both the Alberta inspection, held at Horse in Hand Stables near Blackfalds, and the Ontario inspection included a variety of breed show classes.
After evaluating approximately fifty Warmblood horses over the three days, International guest inspector, Håkan Wahlman from Finland, who first visited Canada over ten years ago, noted that consistency as well as quality has improved significantly over the intervening years. He was accompanied by Chris Gould at all the sites. They were joined in Alberta by Dr. Heather Smith and Janine Olsen; in B.C at Blenheim Stables, in Langley, by Marilyn Powell and Lindsay Joyce; and in Ontario by Christian Poschung and Andrew Dalnoki.
Thank-you everyone who put forward your stallions for consideration.
Highlights:
1. The B.C. Inspection featured all two year old stallions. Two by senior stallions Aquilan Calypso (Ahorn/Calypso) and Novalis (Jus de Pomme/Ramiro) one by upcoming sire Alchimist (Vancouver/Gambit AA). This was a wonderful example of using the system to identify our quality prospects early and using the system as it was designed; to provide a real service to our breeders.
2. Alberta saw the Hi-scoring stallion of the Tour – WH Luciano (WH Leader/Corrado II) pictured below. Stay tuned for more information on the Alberta high scoring mare – an exceptional mare: modern, correct and athletic.
3. In Ontario, the new Meadowlarke North facility was impressive, with two indoor rings – one set up for chute jumping; the main ring holding the triangle. This was ideal, allowing the inspection to proceed very smoothly with no interruptions and providing the judges with the best conditions for evaluating the stallions.
Look for detailed results of the inspections to be published shortly, including results and pictures from all inspections as well as the SK Chapter Breeders Show and Foal Futurity held September 10 – 11 at Ace Ranch owned by Cassie Bolingbroke & Arliss Thorsteinson, near Qu’Appelle Valley.
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