There will be some bright, new faces in the barn aisles and show rings at the 55th Annual Canadian National Championship Show this year. Yearling colts and fillies, both purebred and half-Arabian, will compete for their own national championships in Canada for the very first time in 2012. Arabian horses this young have never been to the Royal Red, though two-year-olds have competed nationally in Canada for a number of years, and Yearling Sweepstakes have been an important part of the U.S. National Championships for the past several decades. Total sponsored prize money in the amount of $40,000.00 for the four Canadian classes will be offered. Qualifications have been waived for 2012 and a full Top Ten will be awarded, including prize money for Champion, Reserve and the balance of the Top Ten winners.
Faraah AC, Shada Arabians Canadian Yearling Filly entry for Andrew and Christine Steffans
The Canadian Yearling Halter finals will be featured as the first classes of the evening sessions in Brandon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions are slated to start at 7 pm nightly. Live Streaming will make it possible for North America and the entire world to watch these classes via www.ArabianHorseGlobal.com on computers, laptops, I-Pads and I-Phones, from Houston to Hong Kong.
Pstefanie JA, Rae Dawn yearling filly contender at the 2012 Canadian National Show
Murray and Shirley Popplewell of Rae Dawn Arabians in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Scottsdale, Arizona have been serious advocates for yearling classes at Canadian Nationals for years. “I have pressed for these classes because I think they will add luster to the show and the Breed’s interest and credentials internationally,” Murray says. “We are not the only Arabian breeders in Canada with competitive yearlings that we’d like to show. We take a few to Tulsa and to Scottsdale each year, but it’s a long way to travel and we certainly can’t take all of our yearlings to every show. Yearling classes at the Canadian Nationals give us a wonderful opportunity to show our young horses to the world, and it’s a lot closer to home!”
Shada Arabians and the Schall family have been showing top, nationally competitive Halter horses at the Canadian Nationals for over 25 years. “All of us at Shada are elated that Canada is including Yearling Halter classes this year in Brandon,” says Jeff Schall. “We’ll be bringing five of our most beautiful yearlings, both half-Arabian and purebreds, including Andrew and Christine Steffens’ great filly, Faraah AC. Faraah won her International Halter class at Scottsdale in February, where she was a Silver Champion. She also won her section class and then took the Bronze title at the Las Vegas World Cup in the Supreme Junior Championship in April. We’re bringing our best!”
RD Texcello Bey Rae Dawn yearling colt contender at the 2012 Canadian National Show
“The Canadian National Show is extremely excited to have the Yearling Halter Championships this year,” says Gerald McDonald, Canadian National Show Commission Chairman. “It’s a wonderful addition to our show and we’re so pleased to be part of the annual circuit that includes North America’s finest Arabian yearlings. It would not have happened without serious support from the Popplewell’s. We all greatly appreciate their contributions to the Breed.”
Canadian National Championships will be at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba from August 13th through the 18th. It’s the second year the Royal Red has been held in Manitoba. Canadian National Show entries close on Friday, June 29th, 2012. Post entries are possible up until August 10th.
