Winner of the 2009 Canadian National Foal Championship Announced
October 16, 2009
October 16, 2009 - Richmond, Ontario - Barbara Jackson, Committee Chairperson of the Canadian Sport Horse Association National Foal Championship announces the 2009 National Champion as Aritzia (Abke x Licorne x Lemon Park) bred and owned by Danielle Gregoire and Ed Stewart of Four Leaf Farms, Richmond Ontario. Abke, a handsome Hanoverian son of Acorrado based in Germany, was granted Restricted Sight Unseen Approval in 2009.
Danielle Gregoire and Ed Stewart of Four Leaf Farms expressed their views on Aritzia’s win and the NFC. “The National Foal Championship is a very impressive venue offered by the Canadian Sport Horse Association. It is a great way for Canadian Sport Horse Breeders to showcase their young stock. We really like the fact that it is one judge for the entire country. CSHA rewards not just the winning foal with the title alone but a cash incentive also - a very generous gift.”
“Aritzia’s career started with our friend and professional handler Ronnie Davidson,” continued breeder/owner Danielle Gregoire, “Knowing he has an exceptional eye for horses, we asked if he would come see our gorgeous little filly, which at the time was three weeks old. Not too keen on looking at three week old foals, Ronnie, as a favour to us, came and had a look at her. It was love at first sight. The goal: the Royal! In Aritzia’s first show, led by her handler Ronnie, she was awarded Reserve Grand Champion with huge applause. At the Cedar Valley CSHA show near Newmarket, she was awarded Grand Champion and one week later was awarded First Premium CSH and won the Ontario Chapter of the National Foal Championship. Licorne has also been showing with Aritzia, and has been awarded multiple Champion Mare awards including the High Point Broodmare award. Next year’s plan is to rebreed Licorne to Abke for a 2011 foal.” Licorne, is a States Premium Hanoverian mare, approved CSHA and has a 3 year old half-sister to Aritzia at home by the Hanoverian stallion Rotspon. Licorne was a Louis-Wiegels show finalist in Germany. Receiving 8’s for movement and rideability at her performance test in Germany, this modern type mare upholds the success of her dam line.”
Since the inception of the CSHA National Foal Championship in 2006, the key to running a truly national program was to be able to have one judge travel the expanse of the country, logging thousands of kilometres, to compare foals from coast to coast. Barb Jackson acknowledges the enormous undertaking the NFC presents for the Canadian Sport Horse Association. “I have worked closely with our 2008/09 judge, Lesley Sibbitt and our administrator, Lu Lancaster and I recognize (once again) how much time and energy is needed to coordinate the events and venues across Canada. I would like to thank the committee that worked with me and I am sure that they feel the same satisfaction as I.”
As in the past, the CSHA is deeply indebted to the sponsors, patrons and venue hosts. Without them, the Association could not have tackled the scope of this project. We are grateful for their support and look forward to future partnerships with Ironwood Building Systems (www.ironwood.ca); Ashland Farm (www.warmblood.com ); patrons Laurie McCulloch Building Moving and Barbara Jackson. The 2009 venue sponsors were Thunderbird Show Park (www.thunderbirdshowpark.com); Anderson Ranch (www.rmshowjumping.com ); Royal Canadian Riding Academy (www.rcra.ca ); Ashland Farm (www.warmblood.com ).
To participate in the CSHA National Foal Championship breeders must be current members and the foals fully registered by competition deadlines. The foals are graded and awarded with certificates and sashes for First and Second Premiums. Each year of the NFC, the number of stallions represented by offspring increases and the CSHA looks for this trend to continue.
The dates and locations for the 2010 National Foal Championship will be posted on the CSHA website as they become available. For further information, please contact the CSHA Office at 613-686-6161 or the NFC committee at nfc@c-s-h-a.org
About the Canadian Sport Horse Association: The Canadian Sport Horse Association was established in 1926 and is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act, abiding by the Act as the official registry of sport horses in Canada. The CSHA and its membership are a major part of the equine and agriculture communities in Canada - our goal is to ensure a viable future for our members by providing assistance and developing programs to ensure that future domestically and internationally. Our mandate is to promote the awareness and purchase of Canadian Sport Horses, keep records, organize inspections and gradings, disseminate information, compile statistics and assist breeders of sport horses with trustworthy registration in keeping with respected International standards.
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