There are all sorts of horse shows that make their way through Ponoka, but there is only one that has something special.
This past weekend, the Calnash Ag Event Centre played host to what has been described as the ‘cadillac of show horses’ with the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) of Alberta holding its annual Western Canadian Championship and Futurity.
The big feature of the show is the American Saddlebred horse breed, which was developed by Kentucky plantation owners in the 19th century as they wanted showy horses to ride around on as well as pull their carriages.
ASHA secretary and show manager Leslie Williams stated the show featured competitors ranging in age from as young as four years old to 65 and participating in 123 different classes, which includes categories such as country pleasure, show pleasure, park, three gait, five gait, fine harness and pleasure driving.
One of the sport’s top competitors is Raylene McWade — who has competed on at the world cup level and trained both riders and horses for national and international competition.
“This is a family and youth oriented event that is about the horses, the riders and their working together,” she stated.
“However, it also includes a lot of social aspects and fun activities.”
However, that isn’t to say there is no competitive spirit during the weekend. In fact, far from it.
“The competition out there is very strong with many rivalries,” she added.
“There were five competitors here this weekend that were members of the Canadian team that walked away with the bronze medal at the U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational back in April. All of them and many other national level competitors and former world cup riders were here vying for spots and looking forward to being a part of Canada’s team that will be in Lexington, Kentucky next July at the 2018 World Cup.”
She also stated the show has been around for at least 50 years, run for many years by a stalwart of the American Saddlebred industry in Alberta — Archie Hurst.
Hurst, who operates Cloverleaf Stables Equestrian Centre and Riding Academy in Sherwood Park, has been in the business of riding, training and breeding for several decades.
One aspect of the weekend included a celebration of Hurst’s 50 years of involvement, something he was able to share with friends and fellow exhibitors and industry colleagues.
“The most rewarding thing about this time has been getting to see everyone improving and enjoying themselves and fulfilling their life long dreams in the industry,” he said.
Now while American Saddlebred was the main attraction, the show included Morgan horse breed events as well as an open to everyone all-breeds classification.
That said, the big draw of the weekend was the provincial Alberta Saddle Bred (ASB) and Western Canadian (WC) championships.
Those winners were: Saddle Seat Equitation Provincial Open - Carly Johnston on Royal Crest’s Rockin’ Ringo; WC ASB 3-gaited show pleasure - Leanne Cameron on UBetcha; WC ASB park pleasure - Archie Hurst on She Blue; WC ASB 5-gaited amatuer - Leslie Hurst on Absolutely Delightful; WC ASB 3-gaited country pleasure - Shelby Sheppard on Don’t Tell Mom; WC ASB 5-gaited open - Leslie Hurst on Hell On High Heels; WC ASB park horse - Raylene McWade on Hard to Resist; WC ASB pleasure driving - Alia Hurst on Like A Boss; ASB 3-gaited show pleasure open - Carly Johnston on Royal Crest’s Rockin Ringo; ASB 3-gaited country pleasure - Shelby Sheppard on Don’t Tell Mom; ASB 5-gaited open - Christine Winter on Doubletrees Exceptional; ASB park open - Raylene McWade on Hard to Resist; ASB show pleasure driving - Alia Hurst on Like A Boss; ASB 3-gaited country pleasure senior rider - Donna Brown on Attache’s Audrey Grace; ASB 5-gaited amateur - Leslie Hurst on Absolutely Delightful; ASB 3-gaited show pleasure senior rider - Stephanie Trenchuk on Foxcroft Firestorm; ASB park pleasure junior/novice horse - Archie Hurst on She Blue; ASB 3-gaited show pleasure junior rider - Carly Johnston on Royal Crest’s Rockin’ Ringo; ASB park horse junior/novice horse - Dallas Kitchen on The Final Fantasy; ASB 3-gaited country pleasure junior rider - Shelby Sheppard on Don’t Tell Mom.