By Brianna York
As featured in the Fall 2024 issue of Arabian Horse World
Upheaval and change is the name of the game these days in the horse world. Many show circuits and breed registries are trying to figure out how to host bigger horse shows and garner attendance at their events despite increasing costs and worries about the future. When the AHA-sanctioned rendition of the Canadian National show wasn’t held due to a lack of entries during the pandemic, a group of passionate Arabian lovers banded together to create a fresh vision of the popular and beloved show.
The Canadian National show was reborn in 2021 and continues to grow and thrive. In 2024, classes were bigger than ever, and those who have missed shows that are truly “for the exhibitor” were grateful to flock to Red Deer, Alberta to have a fun and successful week.
Many exhibitors continue to state that there is no other show that offers the same exhibitor-focused and friendly feel, and the many social events, raffles, and other fun activities during the show hearken back to simpler, happier times for the Arabian industry.
Exhibitors in 2024 traveled from all over the US and Canada to enjoy a hearty welcome and make memories in the main ring, as well as the sport horse and the working western classes. The show doesn’t require qualifications, which allows many exhibitors to try out new divisions and have fun showing in more classes than are available at AHA-sanctioned shows.
The show makes every exhibitor feel welcome, important, and cared about. Exhibitors continue to come to the show because the staff works hard to ensure no one feels left out of the decision-making process. Even the officials who are so essential to the show feel cared for and welcomed with open arms.
Show Judges: Van Jacobsen, Cathy Vincent, and Bruce McCrea.
While there has been some talk of AHA sanctioning the show in the future, many people who attend the show have indicated that they hope it continues to be managed and run as an independent show. There are so many benefits to allowing the show to grow and thrive on its own timeline and with its own goals. The fact that everyone who attends this show each year goes home feeling refreshed, inspired, and excited about the Arabian breed says a lot about the benefits of the show continuing in its current format.
The 2024 show offered new opportunities for exhibitors to participate in raffles, exhibitor dinners, and meet-and-greets. This year, the CNAC raffle gave away saddles, along with prize money and other cool gifts, to thank exhibitors for attending.
Social events included live music, photo booth opportunities, and lots of time to hang out with friends and family between sessions. Exhibitors and officials alike will never go hungry or feel isolated at the Canadian National Horse Show!
These exhibitor benefits and perks are only possible with a long list of dedicated sponsors and supporters. Many of the significant Canadian and American farms and breeding programs donate prizes, cash, and their valuable time to ensure the show’s success. The show is a genuine cooperative effort highlighting just how capable the Arabian horse community is of banding together when it counts.
Cathy Vincent, who judged alongside Van Jacobsen and Bruce McCrea, had a glowing review of the show and her experience as a judge in 2024. “The atmosphere of that show from start to finish was electrifying!” She added, “I have never been to a horse show where everyone was truly happy.”
Polina Rubia and AFA Pursuit of Happiness, the National Champion Half-Arabian Gelding ATH and Reserve National Champion Half-Arabian Performance Halter Gelding..
Polina Rubia, who showed to a National Championship in the Half-Arabian Gelding ATH class and a Reserve National Championship in the Half-Arabian Performance Halter Geldings Open class, says, “People had a lot of opportunities to mingle, connect, catch up, and go out for dinner…the final night party felt like a real celebration.” She went on to say that the show’s final night felt like the good old days of the past when everyone had time to dress up a little and mingle and share stories while classes were being held and enjoyed.
“[The Canadian’s Arabian National Championships] evoked the sense of community that showing is supposed to be all about,” she said. This sentiment is expressed repeatedly by everyone who makes the CNAC a must-do on their list of shows each year. In a time when shows really have to pinch pennies and struggle to find facilities willing to host horse shows, the independent Canadian National Championship Show stands out as a haven for the good times and comfortable show experiences that so many people have been missing.
Maegan Friesen of Wunderbar Arabians might have said it best when she stated, “It’s the small personal touches that will always set this show apart.” She mentioned the morning coffee and pastries cart and the kindness of the show’s staff when it comes to solving ring conflicts or other challenges that inevitably crop up throughout a long national horse show. These contributions to the well-being of the exhibitors at the independent Canadian National Show are a big part of what makes the event so special.
For many of us, the national horse shows are often the only time we see friends from across the country or even the Canadian border. The fact that the CNAC staff and organizers know this and have made this feature front and center for this special national show makes it truly unique and a joy to travel to. There has never been a time when community and working together have been more important for the Arabian industry. The Canadian National Show continues to stand out as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the people who have created this amazing event that makes a national-level horse show attainable for so many people.
As always, the 2024 Canada’s National Arabian Championship Show witnessed exhibitors winning their first sets of roses, alums continuing to wow us all with their prowess and horsemanship, and people making lifelong memories that we all get to share. There is truly no experience like the Canada’s National Arabian Show, and the generosity and commitment of those who make this show possible cannot be properly accounted for in these simple words.
