The Canadian Reining Breeders Classic is entering its fifth year of existence and has long-shed its newbie clothes, now established as one of Canada’s highest profile and prestigious reining events.
Held at the PineRidge Equine Park just outside Winnipeg, MB, this year’s dates are September 13 to 15, giving reiners and spectators three full days of exciting reining competition.
Based on a foal-enrolled breeding program that sees approximately 250 foals signed up by hopeful owners each year, the program has been putting money in the pockets of competitors and breeders from across western and central Canada as well as the northern United States.
There are about 100 stallions enrolled in the breeding program and the roster reads like the who’s who of reining. Top Canadian stallions such as BL Whiz Kid, Chics In The Male, Whiz N Tag Chex, Shiners Q Chex as well as their American counterparts like Gunner, Smart Chic Olena and Shining Spark.
The highest paying reining-only event in Canada, the CRBC is unique in reining competitions because it holds both a futurity (for three-year-old horses) and a derby (for four- to six-year-old horses) at the same show.
The show’s expected payout this year is over $120,000 and includes prizes such as a one-year trailer lease from Miracle Ranch.
Prize money includes:
• $15,000 to the Open Derby winner
• $5,000 to the Non Pro Derby winner
• $10,000 to the Open Futurity winner
• $3,000 to the Non Pro Futurity Winner
Alongside the aged event classes (the ones restricted by the age of the horse) are ancillary classes, which include a full slate of NRHA approved classes such as Open, Non Pro, Youth and Rookie.
The Western Canada NRHA Affiliate Finals are going to be held at the CRBC again this year. Competitors from across western Canada have qualified to attend this event, which will result in the top finalists being qualified for the North American Finals in Oklahoma City in November and December.
Youth riders will be attending in force as they compete not only in the Youth Affiliate finals, but in the Young Rider Medal Class Western Finals, and event sanctioned by Equine Canada through Reining Canada. This class is used to choose youth riders who will have a chance to go on to represent Canada in international youth reining competitions.
The show’s history has been somewhat intertwined with PineRidge Equine Park as the facility was also a newly founded venture when the CRBC selected it as its location.
“We’ve had a great working relationship with Gerry and Irene Loewen of PineRidge,” says Terry Griffin, founder and show manager. “They do a great job and keep the facility running smoothly throughout the show.”
The facility is not only known for the professionalism of the staff and the smooth operations, but also for the Lone Star Cantina, which serves up the best horse show food in Canada.
Attendance has increased year after year and 2007 is predicted to follow that trend. If you are in the area, stop by and check out the hottest reining action in Canada. You can check them out online at www.crbc.ws.
