By Chris Gould
Photography: Private Collection and Peter Llewellyn
The Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association recently celebrated its 10,000th horse registered, and lucky breeders Heather and Marshall, of Ingersoll, ON, will receive a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. It’s a great way to start off their breeding careers, since this was their first foal.
The new owner of Beaux Art, Jeff Franklin of London, ON, is also a first time buyer. His young daughter Addyson, 12, a keen horse enthusiast motivated her dad to consider buying a horse for her to ride, but Jeff decided he wanted a family project that he and his daughter could participate in and learn from together. Coming from a dairy farm background he knows the value of genetics, so when Heather introduced him to the young filly, he researched the sire line extensively and was impressed both with the strong performance pedigree and the temperament of the bloodline. Jeff and his daughter Addyson are now looking forward to working with Beaux Art through all the stages of her development.
It seems fitting that a new breeder and new owner should mark the beginning of the next 10,000 Canadian Warmbloods. Looking back to registration number one, Argex (Arkansas – Olds Lady Reward) registered August 5, 1993, bred by long time Alberta breeder Roy Gunderson, it’s rewarding to consider all the pleasure and success Canadian Warmbloods have brought to Canadian riders. From the Olympics and World Championships to local shows, Canadian breeders have applied international standards of excellence to their breeding programs with outstanding success. Horses like Buenos Aires (Beijing 2008 Olympic Games three-day event); Pikardi (Lexington 2010 World Equestrian Games dressage); Future Shock (Spruce Meadows International Grand Prix); Belmont (Global Champions Tour)… and many more who have showcased the Canadian breeding program at international level.