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Arabian Horse Association Celebrates Canada’s National Arabian Championship
Competition Celebrates the Strength, Heritage, andFuture of the Arabian Horse in Canada

Greenwood Village, CO, June, 2026 — The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to formally recognize and support the 2026 Canada’s National Arabian Championship , taking place August 6–15, 2026, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba.Now in its fifth year under the management of The National Arabian Breed Society, a Canadian not-for-profit entity, the championship is the only Arabian horse competition in Canada where all disciplines compete under one roof. For ten days, Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, exhibitors, breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts from across Canada and the United States will gather to celebrate the beauty, athleticism, and extraordinary ability of the Arabian horse.

A Milestone Anniversary

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the show’s current era, launched in 2022 in Red Deer, Alberta, and the second year in which the event carries official AHA recognition for national achievement points. The championship’s roots run even deeper: the original show was established in 1958, making it an enduring part of the culture and fabric of Canadian Arabian horse sport.For 2026, organizers have added several new classes and are expecting 350 to 400 horses, more than 300 exhibitors, and upwards of 75 trainers, with an estimated 500 spectators daily. Participants will travel from communities across both Canada and the United States.

What Makes This Event Unique

Canada’s National Arabian Championship is the only national Arabian competition in Canada where all disciplines compete together at the same show — from the Sport Horse division to an array of Working Western, and don’t forget the extraordinary Main Ring competitions. The week unfolds in a carefully designed sequence: Dressage and Sport Horse classes open the event early in the week. Working Western takes center stage mid-show, and the championship concludes with several days of the top athletes competing in various ridden and in-hand competitions.

Free to the public, offering spectators an opportunity to witness the full range of what the best Arabian horses in the world can do. “Canada’s National Arabian Championship is a testament to everything that makes the Arabian horse community extraordinary — the dedication of breeders and exhibitors, the talent of the horses, and the deep sense of tradition that connects generations of enthusiasts. As AHA continues to strengthen its partnership with The National Arabian Breed Society, events like this one are vital to the future of our breed in North America.

We are proud to recognize this championship and look forward to celebrating another remarkable week of competition in Brandon,” said Taryl O’Shea, CEO, Arabian Horse Association.That spirit of partnership and shared purpose is equally felt by those closest to the show’s day-to-day heart. For the organizing team at The National Arabian Breed Society, the championship is as much about community as it is about competition — a sentiment that shines through in every aspect of the event’s planning and execution.”Canada’s Nationals is more than a competition — it is a celebration of the people, horses, and traditions that make our community so special. This show is largely run by a dedicated group of volunteers, and when you walk through the gates, it truly feels like arriving home. We are excited to welcome exhibitors and families from across the country and beyond for what promises to be an unforgettable week,” said Dana Romijn, Chair, 2026 Canada’s National Arabian Championship.

RCMP officers present the flags of the United States and Canada during the opening ceremony of Canada’s National Arabian Championship at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba — a tradition that honors the event’s proud cross-border community of exhibitors, breeders, and enthusiasts.

Community, Charity & Celebration

The event has previously partnered with The Ames Foundation, auctioning off program cover artwork to benefit charitable causes, a tradition that reflects the community spirit at the heart of the show. Exhibitors and guests can look forward to two social events: an Exhibitor Party with live music and a full catered dinner on Thursday, August 13th, and a Championship Wrap-Up Celebration at the conclusion of the show on August 15th.

Economic Impact

Canada’s National Arabian Championship is the largest event held at the Keystone Centre all year, bringing significant tourism revenue to Manitoba and the Brandon region. Organizers estimate the event generates millions of dollars in direct economic impact through travel, accommodation, dining, and local spending by competitors and their families.

Join the Celebration

Head to the show to see some of the best competitors compete in a variety of championship classes and stay for some of the fun events. On Thursday, August 13, celebrate all things Canadian by joining the Canada Party after the evening classes! Everyone is invited to join us in the Triple Crown Lounge for a fun-filled evening of music, celebration, and community. This year’s festivities will feature special guest Julianna Moore, fresh from Canada’s Got Talent, providing live entertainment throughout the evening.Experience the excitement, cheer on the competitors, and celebrate the crowning achievements of the 2026 Canada’s National Arabian Championship as championship riders prepare to compete for the show’s final exciting evening of classes and awards. Then, help us close out an unforgettable week on Saturday night in the Triple Crown Lounge.

The Breed Behind the Competition

This is your opportunity to experience Arabian horses up close and discover what makes the breed so unique. Known for their beauty, intelligence, and versatility, Arabian horses are one of the oldest and most influential horse breeds in the world, shaping many modern equine disciplines today. Whether you are a lifelong horse enthusiast or seeing horses in action for the first time, Canadian Nationals offers a welcoming chance to learn, watch, and connect with the energy and presence of the Arabian horse in a live setting.

About Canada’s National Arabian Championship

Canada’s National Arabian Championship is a national-level horse show dedicated to showcasing the best of the Arabian horse in a Canadian setting while delivering an exceptional experience for competitors.As a Silver-level Equine Canada-sanctioned show and recognized by the AHA, this shows run by the people of Canada for the people of North America. This championship holds a unique and respected place on the national stage.And with a full roster of classes across every discipline, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities to showcase your horse. Come, show your Arabian horse, and experience our famous hospitality!
For more information, visit www.arabiannationals.com

Take it from our friends at rennlist, Porsche has built some truly remarkable engines over the years. The air-cooled 911/83 engine that powered the 1973 911 2.7L Carrera RS is just one example. But if you were asked to go on and list the ten all-time greatest Porsche engines there is a good chance the list would be dominated by various Mezger engines.

The 12-cylinder found in the Le Mans-winning Porsche 917? That’s a Mezger. The 3.6L flat six in the 996 GT3? That’s a Mezger. The 4.0L in the 997 GT3 RS 4.0? That’s a Mezger.

How about going all the way back to the original 901/911 engine? Yup, that’s a Mezger.

But what is a Mezger engine, and why are they so special? That is what we are going to discuss here today. We have come up with 9 reasons why the Mezger engine is so special. And there is no other place to begin the discussion than the legendary man behind these engines, Hans Mezger.

1. Hans Mezger

A single slide can in no way capture all that the legendary Hans Mezger accomplished. He joined Porsche back in October of 1956. He loved Porsche sports cars, but his first job was working on diesel engine development. In 1960, he began to work on the type 753 flat-eight engine for Porsche’s first Formula 1 car. Soon after he designed the 6-cylinder boxer engine for the 901/911. He was then promoted to the head of race car design. He was responsible for the 917 and the 12-cylinder engine that powered it to Porsche’s first Le Mans victory in 1970. He then was responsible for the turbocharged 917/10 and 917/30 cars that dominated Can Am. He designed and developed the six-cylinder turbo engines for the Type 935 and 936 race cars.

Mezger designed the 1.5L V6 engine known as the TAG Turbo that powered the McLaren Formula 1 cars to championships in 1984, 1985 and 1986. His engines would eventually be found in the most performance-oriented Porsche road cars such as the 996 GT3, GT2 and Turbo. Mezger remained closely connected with the Porsche brand until he passed away on June 10, 2020, at the age of 90.

2. Motorsport Pedigree

Mezger built engines for the most demanding races in the world. His engines that were put into Porsche road cars have the same engineering approach. These engines are designed for long-term high performance. They are essentially overbuilt for road use. These engines were not designed to meet a certain price point. They were designed to provide the best performance. There were no corners cut with any Mezger engine.

3. Birth of the GT3

Many people view the 911 GT3 models as the pinnacle of the 911 range. One of the main reasons why is because of the track-focused, high-revving flat-six engine out back. It all started with the M96.79 engine found in the 996 GT3. The European market got the GT3 a few years before us and had the M96.76 engine, but the point is the same. The GT3 legend began in large part because of the incredible engine that powered it. This dry sump engine could rev to 8,200 rpm all day long. The engine was derived from the Porsche 911 GT1-9,8 which happened to win a little race called the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The street version of this engine is nearly bulletproof,f and the GT3 legend was born.

4. Turbocharged Versions

If the GT3 was just not powerful enough for you, Porsche had a solution. The GT2 and Turbo also used Mezger engines, but with a pair of turbochargers. They are not as high-revving as the normally aspirated units, but they offer more power and a lot more torque. And these engines are just as reliable.

5. Reliability

The Mezger engines are not just more powerful but also more reliable. The knock on the M96 and M97 engine series has long been the IMS bearing. But the Mezger versions don’t have the same design. Instead, they use plain bearings that are pressure-fed engine oil for lubrication. These bearings don’t fail. That alone makes the Mezger significantly more reliable.

6. Sound

Even if these engines were not more durable and powerful, people would buy them for their sound alone. It is not just their high-revving nature in naturally aspirated form. But the design of the engine itself, with features such as dual timing chains that give these engines a more characterful sound. They are more gravely and “motorsporty” sounding than the non-Mezger engines.

7. Power Upgrades

These engines were overbuilt and as such, are typically able to comfortably handle more power if you want to modify them. The turbo versions can easily be tuned to reliably make more power. Of course, every engine has its limitations, but the Mezger engine is robust enough to make more power without hurting reliability.

8. The 997 GT3 RS 4.0

Many people consider the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 to be the best Porsche 911 road car of all time. It just so happens to be equipped with the last Mezger engine. A 4.0L jewel making nearly 500 naturally aspirated horsepower. The engine revs to 8,500 rpm and has more character in it than an entire truckload of new 992.2 Carreras. The 4.0L marked the end of an era. It is the last and possibly the best road-going Mezger engine ever produced.

9. Rarity and Desirability

Not every Porsche got a Mezger engine. Technically, all the air-cooled 911s have a Mezger-designed engine, but they have been out of production for over a quarter of a century now. Only a small percentage of water-cooled Porsche engines were a Mezger design. And Porsche is not building any more of them. So, what is out there today is all that will ever be out there. These engines are found in the most desirable Porsche models, and these cars are collectible today and will continue to be collectible for the foreseeable future. If you buy a Porsche with a Mezger engine today, the chances are good that it will be worth the same or even more tomorrow. For the Silo, Joe Kucinski.

Images: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the Mezgar engine right here via our friends at Rennlist.com.

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Ten Days Of Competition- Arabian Horse Association Celebrates Canada’s National Arabian Championship