2018 Canadian Warmblood Stallion Directory
5
PRESS 2017 National Stallion RELEASE Inspection Tour T
he 2017 National Stallion Inspection Tour began September 15th in Halifax, then onto Saskatchewan September 16 & 17th and finishing in Alberta at the Stallion Performance Test with their licensing on September 20th. The licensing saw nine stallions recommended for breeding of 12 presented. Three of the licensed stallions were Canadian Bred; two of them registered Canadian Warmblood. The Nova Scotia stop was hosted at Jim Baker’s Sutton Hill Stables. International guest inspector, Hakan Wahlman from Finland, and Stud Book Committee member, Marilyn Powell of British Columbia, were joined by provincial representatives Julie Fulton, President Maritime Chapter, and Holly Erith. Four imported stallions were presented, with all four being successful. Three of the stallions represented the recently structured Deutsches SportPferde (DSP) which is an amalgamation of several smaller breeding districts in Germany, (Sachsen-Thüringen, Rheinland Pfalz Saar, Brandenburg-Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, Zweibrucker), and the fourth a Westfalen. Next stop Saskatoon for their Breeder’s Showcase and one young Canadian Warmblood stallion successfully presented at Diana Pella’s Pelmac Stables. Joining the National Team were Henk Glijn, from B.C. and Lisa Longtin of Saskatchewan. Several mares at this site participated in the long format inspection, showing their skill through the jumping chute. Final stop was the Stallion Performance Test (SPT) at the beautiful Carousel Ridge in Sherwood Park, just outside of Edmonton. Gracious hosts Shauna Cooke, together with her parents Sheilagh and Mike Kelly, kept the week long schedule running smoothly. Sheilagh made sure everyone was well nourished with scrumptious meals every day! While SPT stallions had already been training with Test Master Hendrik Gaebel since the beginning of the week, the actual Licensing Day was Wednesday, September 20th. Seven stallions were evaluated with four of them licensing, including both the top scoring and the reserve top scoring stallions nationally. Joining the National Team were Jennette Coote, National vice-Chair, and Connie Dorsch from Saskatchewan, a returning team member having participated in previous SPT. This team then continued the following four days judging the SPT participating stallions. Overall, the stallions presented to the Tour Commission were well turned presented. Overall, many seemed immature. This is obviously a difference for us in Canada where many of our foals are born late spring and over the summer, so are not as mature as the images we see of comparable European Licensing. The best prepared and presented through the jumping chute were those shown in Alberta. This is one area that the Commission felt many of the young stallions could have garnered higher scores had they more chute preparation to develop better confidence and ability to show their skill level. Thank you to each of the venue organizers, owners and handlers who kept to a smooth schedule and were phenomenal hosts over the tour. Congratulations all! Congratulations to the following newly licensed stallions!