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

CQHA Launches Its New Reproductive Best Practices Virtual Seminars 

Presented by Rafael E. Martinez PhD, of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and made possible through funding from AQHA’s International Educational Marketplace grant program, the Canadian Quarter Horse Association is proud to present a seminar designed by the members of our Breeder’s Committee. 

The topics of the seminar were chosen to inform both the novice and established breeder, and look at all aspects from the perspective of both mare and stallion owner. The syllabus covers areas such as selection of breeding stallions and mares; reproductive evaluations; genetic testing; and breeding methods such as live cover and embryo transfer.

This course is offered for FREE to all AQHA members. 

The course is self-paced and will be available from now to September 30, 2023.

Five Courses Extended

Additionally, CQHA is pleased to announce that the five courses offered in 2022 have been extended!

• Conformation, Western Horsemanship, and Trail — Karen Graham, AQHA Judge, Pro Horseman
• Farrier Science — Travis Burns, MSc, CJF, TE, EE, FWCFer
• Equine Welfare and Behaviour — Eugene Spagnola, AQHA Pro Horseman
• Equine Genetic Diseases — Dr. Carrie Hammer
• The Business of Horses in Canada — Tara Gamble, AQHA Pro Horseman

Sign up for one, a few, or all with your current AQHA membership number – visit CQHA News for more information.

Canadians Win Several World Champion and Reserve World Champion Titles at the 2022 AQHA World Championships

The CQHA is proud to acknowledge the success of the following Canadian-owned and/or bred horses at the 2022 AQHA World Champion Shows hosted in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, held October 27 - November 19. 

Above: L2 Amt Hunt Seat Equitation: Eat Pray Lope, bred by Cory Seebach/Candice Hall, owned and shown by Maggie M McCrady. Below: 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Stakes Level 2 Champion: Deja Whoo owned and bred by Scott and Linda Berwick, and shown by Linda Berwick. Photos: Shane Rux

To view all the Canadian results please head over to the CQHA website. 

• WORLD CHAMPION, L2 NON-PRO THREE-YEAR-OLD WESTERN PLEASURE – DEJA WHOO, shown by Linda Berwick, Clarence Creek, ON, owned and bred by Scott and Linda Berwick, Clarence Creek, ON.
• WORLD CHAMPION, L2 TWO-YEAR-OLD WESTERN PLEASURE – J LOWW, bred by Cory Seebach/Candice Hall, Black Creek, BC, owned by Gil and/or Becky Galyean, shown by Becky Galyean.
• WORLD CHAMPION, L2 SENIOR WESTERN PLEASURE – CHASING BATTERFLIES, bred by Scott and Linda Berwick, owned by Pamela M Jones, shown by Terry L Cross.
• WORLD CHAMPION, L3 TWO-YEAR-OLD WESTERN PLEASURE – QUEEN OV HEARTS, owned by Cory Seebach/Candice Hall, shown by Gil Galyean, bred by Mariann Harrington/Joe Prause.
• WORLD CHAMPION, L1 AMT SELECT WESTERN PLEASURE – CHASING BATTERFLIES, bred by Scott and Linda Berwick, owned and shown by Pamela M Jones. 
• RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, L3 AMT SELECT WESTERN PLEASURE – THE WHOO, bred by Scott and Linda Berwick, owned and shown by Linda Ball Sargen. 
• RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, L2 NON-PRO THREE-YEAR-OLD HUNTER UNDER SADDLE – JUS THE BEST owned by Art Order, Arkona, ON, shown by Mavis Goertz.
• RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, L3 JUNIOR REINING – MARVELOUS SIXTYSIX, bred by Janna Imrie, Orangeville, ON, owned by Courtney Battison, shown by Trevor Elliott Dare.
• RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION, L3 SENIOR WESTERN PLEASURE – AIR RYDE, bred by Brent and Kate Bamford, Calgary, AB, owned by Anita Wiescamp, shown by Sara B Simons.
• BRONZE, L2 PERFORMANCE HALTER MARES – SHE WILL BE SOMEBODY, bred by Rod Jeffries, Shannonville, ON, owned by Tracy L Hritz, shown by Alexandria Bryne.
• BRONZE, L2 AMT HUNT SEAT EQUITATION – EAT PRAY LOPE, bred by Cory Seebach/Candice Hall, owned and shown by Maggie M McCrady.

The Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients

The Calgary Foundation is very pleased to announce the following scholarships awarded in 2022 from the Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund. There are two different categories of scholarships: first- or second-year students (two $1,000 awards), and students advancing past their second year of studies (one $2,000 award). Qualified students from across Canada applied for the three available scholarships this past June.

Congratulations to these award winners:

• $1,000 to Jalen Thurgood, BC
• $1,000 to Aliera Chernoff, AB
• $2,000 to Ashley Nixon, ON

“Once again we were extremely impressed with the scholarship applicants this year,” says CQHA Past President and Scholarship Committee co-chair Dr. Wayne Burwash. “This is the eighth year that The Calgary Foundation has awarded the scholarships in memory of Shannon, and they have awarded a total of $31,000. The scholarships are open to students from across Canada and are awarded to deserving students who are focused on getting a post-secondary education and being involved in the horse industry in their future. This year the recipients are from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

“Besides her family, the two most important things in Shannon’s life were horses and education. She loved horses and had a very, very strong feeling that all young people should get some sort of post-secondary education. Therefore, we think these awards are not only a very fitting tribute to her, but hopefully would serve as an incentive for young people to get a horsey/agricultural type education, which would lay the foundation for them to become leaders in the horse industry.”

CQHA is proud to be a supporter and promoter of this program in memory of our late friend and board member, Shannon Burwash. The program accepts applications until June 1st annually. To learn more about applying or donating to the scholarship fund please visit CQHA's Youth Programs and Opportunities. 

Team Canada Heads to Texas This Summer!

The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup (AQHYWC) is an educational, leadership-based event showcasing youth riders from up to 18 countries. The year 2023 will mark the 22nd AQHYWC to be held. This prestigious event began 45 years ago in 1978, in Amarillo, Texas and was a monumental success. Since that time, the event has traveled to Canada, Australia, Germany, Arizona, Texas, and Italy. This year the event will be held in Bryan/College Station, Texas from June 29 to July 8.

Part of the experience is the challenge and opportunity to work with horses which the youth are unfamiliar with, as the host country provides approximately 200 Quarter Horses for this event. The youth have the chance to work with their equine team in the week leading up to the competition in a series of clinics hosted by AQHA Professional Horsemen.

The culmination of the event is a showcasing of skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly competition. As the first show day approaches, the team is allowed to choose three riders to show in each of the eight classes: Showmanship at Halter, Ranch Riding, Western Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Trail, Cutting, and Reining. Then an opportunity to compete on a second show day allows for more growth and development of these young riders. The combined scores from both competition days will determine the teams’ final standings.

It is a unique opportunity for youth to learn in a “hands-on” setting with other international youth. Friendships, skills, and life lessons are all part of the experience that will last a lifetime!

YWC Team Canada 2023 will be comprised of five competitive riders, two alternate riders, three leaders, a team coach, and a team manager.

To watch the Team Canada activities unfold be sure to follow us at @cndquarterhorseassoc on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The CQHA Breeder’s Committee Proudly Presents…

Clinician Al Dunning – Summer 2023

Al and his clients have earned over 50 World and Reserve World Championships in AQHA, NCHA, NRCHA, and NRHA. Al serves on multiple committees for the AQHA and NCHA and holds an NRCHA judge’s card. Al has conducted clinics around the globe, including the Equine Affaire, Midwest Horse Fair, The All American Quarter Horse Congress, EQUITANA Germany, and EQUITANA Australia.

Details and registration information coming soon. Keep watching the CQHA website and social media channels.

Above: L3 Junior Reining: Marvellous Sixtysix, bred by Janna Imrie, owned by Courtney Battison, shown by Trevor Elliott Dare. Photo: Shane Rux