By Laurie Haughton, Chair, CQHA Media, Marketing & Communications Committee

It can be said that breeding horses is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of time, energy, and perseverance to develop a foal into a competent athlete, let alone one that can shine in world class competition. Yet six Canadian breeding operations proved again this past summer that Canada is quite capable of breeding such horses. Eight Canadian-bred horses carried Canadian and American riders to 15 impressive American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship placings at the 2021 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show hosted at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, OK from July 28 to August 8.

When asked what it was like to be considered a world class Quarter Horse breeder, Bill and Tracy Rinzema, breeders of two horses that between them racked up a world championship title, two top five placings, and four additional placings, said, “It’s quite exciting to know that these horses were products of our little operation in Keene, Ontario.” The pair reminisced about the accomplishments of each horse prior to their 2021 success and about the other great horses that have been produced by their program.

Canada is AQHA’s largest international affiliate, boasting the most members and registered horses residing outside the United States. Though the Canadian Quarter Horse industry is small in comparison to our neighbours to the south, the knowledge, skills, and the quality horses that are bred in this country continues to improve year after year.

On behalf of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association, its members and directors, and the association’s Breeders Committee, we congratulate each of these horses, their breeders, owners, and riders on their accomplishments and wish them continued success both in the show ring and in the breeding shed. 

HEZ PRETTY EXTREME, 2012 gelding (Extremely Hot Chips x Rolls Her Assets); Exhibitor: Tatum Keller, El Reno OK; Breeder: Bill Rinzema, Keene ON. 

1st: L1 Western Riding 14-18; 5th L2 Youth Western Riding; 

7th L2 Youth Western Horsemanship; 9th L3 Youth Western Riding; 15th L2 Youth Trail; 19th L3 Youth Trail (14-18).

LAZY LOPIN GUY, 2011 gelding (Lazy Loper x Radically Hip); Exhibitor: Sydney Sargent, Paris KY; Breeder: Carol Strachan, Scarboro ON.

3rd: L3 Performance Halter Geldings

SLEEP N THE MOONLITE, 2017 gelding (Only In The Moonlite x Sleep Machine); Exhibitor: Brody Galyean, Purcell OK; Breeder: William Cox, Brantford ON.

3rd: L3 Youth Western Pleasure (14-18)

WHIZENBOONSMAL, 2012 gelding (Peptoleap x She Whiz A Star); Exhibitor: Madison Hayden Rafacz, Citra FL; Breeder: David Dorland, Sudbury ON.

3rd: L3 Youth Ranch Riding (13 & Under)

SHESA HOT SELECTION, 2012 mare (Extremely Hot Chips x Emerald Selection); Exhibitor: Madison Parduhn, Edmond OK; Breeder: Tracy Rinzema, Keene ON.

5th: L3 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation (14-18)

ONLY AN IMPULSE, 2012 mare (Impulsions By Mail x Autumn Invitation); Exhibitor: Ainsley Raine Linnell, Summerberry SK; 

Breeder: Greg & Faye Little, Decker MB.

7th: L2 Youth Performance Halter Mares 

16th: L1 Performance Halter Mares 

SNAPPLEJAC JUICE, 2013 mare (Smart Like Juice x Dolls Yellow Jacit); Exhibitor: Sheldon John Hehr, Summerville SC; Breeder: David & Anne Dorland, Sudbury ON.

8th L1 Youth Reining

MACS SMOKIN HOT, 2012 gelding (Macs Good N Plenty x Barbies Hot Rod); Exhibitor: Abby Goddard, Swift Current SK; Breeder: Sharon J. Forbes-Hanks, Pilot Mound MB. 

9th L1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation (14-18)

10th L1 Youth Western Pleasure (14-18)

To read more about these and other successes earned by American Quarter Horses in Canada please log onto the Canadian Quarter Horse Association’s website.

Photos by Shane Rux Photography.