Five of 14 purple ribbons awarded at the 2009 Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK, November 21 to 24, were lifted by Alberta horsemen. Craig Grange of Delmar, IA, tied the ribbons.

Bill and Dini Prins, Prins View Belgians of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, had the champion team. Their lofty, red sorrel geldings, sporting white manes and tails, were well matched for type, colour and stride. Driven by Zephrin LaRiviere, they wheeled the Prins View stable’s handsome wagon, which rumbled like thunder, as the impressive pair tramped in cadence centre-ring. This powerful turnout achieved a drive in the Brandt Centre, considered fault-free by the draft horse pundits gathered ringside. Spectators ringside responded, for this Belgian team was a popular winner.

Prins View Flash, the Alberta stable’s star performer, was Grand Champion Belgian Gelding. A handsome horse, modern in type and ready to a minute, he weighs a ton and stands 18 hands; a great size for a three-year-old. However, for all his height and weight, he is a superb athlete, who showed steel on each step. A home-bred gelding, Prins View Flash is sired by Commander Flash, an Indianabred Lake Ledge Commander son.

Simpson’s Edie, the Overall Supreme Champion Mare was also Grand Champion Percheron Mare. Shown by Dr. David and Kathleen Bailey, Paramount Percherons of Calgary, AB, this black female, foaled in 2006, was bred by Dan Simpson, Simpson’s Percherons of Rio Vista, CA. A mare of pleasing type, she is fashioned to wear harness. Her well designed joints, free of flesh and fluid, are sharp as hound’s teeth. Sired by Windermere King Cong, America’s Premier Percheron Sire in 2001 and 2004; her dam, G.T.’s Elayne, is a daughter of M.G.’s Prince.

Riverside Sir Crown Royal was Grand Champion Clydesdale Stallion. This was his first public appearance since July, when he injured himself playing in his paddock. A bay colt, bred and shown by Gordon and Fay Campbell, Riverside Clydesdale in Fawcett, AB, he was foaled in 2007. One of Alberta’s exciting, young Clydesdales, he is an athlete; one that wastes no energy paddling or rope walking. Sired by Monty of Woodland, an Indianabred stallion; his dam, Campbell’s Classic Nicole, is by Green Leaf Reflection.

Tom Lane and Family, Creek Side Belgians of Birtle, MB, had the Champion Four Horse Hitch; while the Champion Six Horse Hitch was fielded by Nick Den Brok and Family, Rocky Bar Belgians of Esterhazy, SK.

2009 NAERIC CLASSIC FUTURITY

NAERIC’s 2009 Draft Horse Classic Futurity was held in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition. Seventeen of the 30 foals sold at the 2007 NAERIC Classic Draft Foal Sale returned, to contest a $47,875 purse, the largest yet offered. Three judges worked independently, placing the 17 entries in three distinct disciplines. When the last class was evaluated, no overall futurity winner was obvious. The atmosphere ringside was electric.

Rose Hill Nicole II won the 2009 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Futurity. After each judge’s placing was announced, Rose Hill Nicole II stood sixth shown on halter, first pattern driving and fifth in the rail cart class. Purchased at the 2007 NAERIC Classic Draft Foal Sale for $3,000, this black filly won a $9,577 purse for Gordon and Nicole Ruzicka, Rose Hill Percherons of Viking, AB. The father/daughter team also pocketed a $2,877.50 Breeders Award for their homebred Lucasia Colonel filly.

Eaglesfield Nate, the Percheron gelding Alberta partners, Jason Bexson of Carstairs, AB, and John Ruzicka of Viking, entered, placed second overall. The two-year-old, bought as a foal for $4,000 won a $7,645 purse. Brian and Colleen, Eaglesfield Percherons of Didsbury, AB pocketed the Breeders Award of $1,726.50. Before this Blencathra Ruraidh Mor son left Regina, Kirk Messenger of Cheyenne, WY, privately negotiated Eaglesfield Nate’s purchase.

Entries placed first to 10th collected premium money at the 2009 NAERIC Classic Draft Horse Futurity. On this occasion the purse for 10th place was an impressive $1,911.40.

2009 NAERIC CLASSIC DRAFT FOAL SALE

Creek Side Unique topped the 2009 NAERIC Classic Draft Foal Sale, fetching an $8,000 bid. Consigned by Tom Lane, Creek Side Belgians of Birtle, MB, the blonde sorrel Belgian filly, whose mane and tail are white, was purchased by Jason and Val Bexson, Legacy Stables of Carstairs. Like all the catalogued foals in this sale, Creek Side Unique is eligible for the 2011 NAERIC Classic Draft Horse Futurity.

The two-year-olds that return in 2011 will contest a $35,000 purse. Once again NAERIC will offer a Ladies Division, where the four high placed female exhibitors will divide an added $2,500. The breeders of the three high placed two-year-old Futurity horses will again receive handsome Breeders Awards.

The 25 Belgian, Clydesdale, Percheron and Shire foals sold at the 2009 NAERIC Classic Draft Foal Sale averaged $3,222. John and Karen Ruzicka, Westbank Percherons of Viking, sold Westbank Ugo, the high selling Percheron, to the Alberta partnership of Jason Bexson of Carstairs and John Ruzicka of Viking. The last bid on this colt was $4,500.

Bill Prins of Fort Saskatchewan, paid $4,500 to own Willow Way Jett, the high priced Clydesdale colt, Wes Gordeyko, Willow Way Clydesdales of Ohaton, AB, consigned. This caused a stir ringside, for Bill Prins is best known for his Belgian and Belgian crossbred horses.

When breeders consign foals to the NAERIC Classic Draft Foal Sale, the foal is the property of NAERIC until the sale, when breeders, like everyone interested, can bid on their own foal. For complete information on this program visit www.naeric.org

LESLIE ALBERT DENNIS

Draft horse breeders in Alberta will be saddened to hear that Lee Dennis of Bluffton, AB, passed away November 26. He was 75.

Lee Dennis was a horseman, who raised working Percherons and Quarter Horses. He enjoyed all aspects of farming, especially his horses. While he never exhibited Percherons or Quarter Horses, he cart raced and pulled with his teams. He spent hours in the saddle checking cows, cutting his grain with a horse drawn binder, hauling bundles with team and wagon, or giving family and friends sleigh rides. Each year he consigned a team or two of young, well broke Percherons to the Wild Rose Draft Horse Sale, where they commanded a steady trade. Lee Dennis will be missed in heavy horse circles.