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

Canadian-bred horses earned a total of 22 All American Quarter Horse Congress Championship titles, 14 Reserve Championships and one Grand Championship at the 2023 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and National Snaffle Bit Association sanctioned show. Hosted by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association in Columbus, Ohio, the show was held from September 26 to October 22 at the Ohio State Expo Center. Traditionally this show is one of the biggest and most prestigious events within the North American Quarter Horse market.

In an impressive showing the Championship and Reserve Championship titles in both the Senior Western Pleasure and the Open Ranch Trail Stakes were awarded to Canadian-bred horses!

Open Ranch Trail Stakes Reserve Champion - Canadian Bred Sumac Gunnabeflashy bred by Donald Sobey of Trenton, NS, owned by Leslie Vagneur Lange of Greeley, CO, shown by Bud Lyon of Whitesboro, TX. Photo: Shane Rux Photography Inc.

Whizenboonsmal, sired by Peptoleap and out of She Whiz A Star by Topsail Whiz, won the championship in the Open Ranch Trail Stake. The 2012 sorrel gelding was bred by David Dorland of Sudbury, ON. Named the reserve champion in the same class was Sumac Gunnabeflashy, sired by Gunnatrashya out of Chics Graceful Whiz by Whiz N Tag Chex. The 2017 chestnut gelding was bred by Donald Sobey of Trenton, NS.

Air Ryde, sired by Machine Made out of KM Hot Number by RL Best of Sudden, claimed the championship title in the Senior Western Pleasure. The 2015 chestnut gelding was bred by Brent and Kate Bamford of Foothills, AB. Placing second in the same class for the reserve title was The Whoo, a 2017 sorrel gelding sired by The Lope Machine out of Whos Cheating Who by Huntin For Chocolate, bred by Scott and Linda Berwick of Clarence Creek, ON.

Senior Western Pleasure Champion - Canadian Bred Air Ryde bred by Brent and Kate of Bamford, AB, owned by Anita Wiescamp of Quitman, TX, shown by Sara B Simons of Aubrey, TX. Photo: Shane Rux Photography Inc.

Additionally, the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Grand Champion Mare was awarded Ecredilicious, sired by Ecredible, out of Fellas Prefer Blonds by Mr Yella Fella. The 2021 chestnut mare was bred by Shawna F. Crawford of Pakenham, ON. 

Each of these five horses were exported to the United States and are now proudly being exhibited at major events by their American owners. AQHA owner transfer records show that currently Canadians are exporting more horses than they are importing into the country, and our registration/foaling statistics have also seen an increase in the past two years (source: AQHA AGM report 2022).

Senior Western Pleasure Reserve Champion - Canadian Bred The Whoo bred by Scott & Linda Berwick Clarence Creek, ON, owned by Eustis, FL, shown by Shane Dowdy of Whitesboro, TX. Photo: Shane Rux Photography Inc.

Other Canadian breeders whose programs produced horses that won multiple 2023 Congress titles and placings were: William W. Cox of Brantford, ON; Donna Biddulph of Pouce Coupe, BC; Rod Jefferies of Shannonville, ON; Eric Van Boekel of Mt Elgin, ON; Kami Irwin Tymchuk of Aldergrove, BC; Linda Gagnon Cote of L`Ascension, QC; and Julie Huppe of Mono, ON.

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association would like to congratulate all Canadians on their impressive results at the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Together they accumulated one Grand Champion, 33 Champions, 27 Reserve Champions, 58 Top Five awarded winners, 106 top ten placings and 88 placings within the top 20. To view these individual results and see the photos located in our “Congress Win Photo Gallery” please visit the CQHA website.

• 2024 Tentative Canadian AQHA Show & Race Dates
• Canadian Results: 2023 Quarter Horse Congress

Photos are courtesy of CQHA.

Main Photo: Open Ranch Trail Stakes Champion - Canadian Bred Whizenboonsmal bred by David Dorland, Sudbury ON, owned by Madison Rafacz Citra, FL, shown by Bud Lyon of Whitesboro, TX. Photo: Shane Rux Photography Inc.