Tag Archives: horse

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

June 16, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

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

Culture

Tradition Runs Deep At Kentucky Derby

April 30, 2026 The Silo Leave a comment

Replete with pageantry, the Kentucky Derby has evolved into much more than a horse race since 10,000 people first watched 15 horses compete on a dirt track in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1875.

Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the 152nd Kentucky Derby will run May 2, bringing 150,000 spectators to Churchill Downs, the same track where the tradition began a century and a half ago.

Horses racing at the track (Library of Congress/Caufield & Shook, Inc.) — The 1943 Kentucky Derby at the Churchill Downs. (Library of Congress/Caufield & Shook, Inc.)

Rich traditions

A “social event” that encourages “whimsical fashion” is how Kentucky Derby Museum curator Chris Goodlett describes the race. Women wear wide-brimmed, feathered hats and pastel dresses. Men sport light-colored suits and derby hats. The mint julep, made with Kentucky bourbon, is the derby’s official drink.

Festivities fill the two weeks leading up to the derby with galas, fireworks and other horse races. Anticipation for the big event culminates with a bugle call 10 minutes before start time, bringing the race’s 20 competitors to the track. As jockeys lead the thoroughbreds to the starting gate, the crowd stands and sings “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Birthplace of legends

The victorious horse ceremoniously trots to the winner’s circle where a 14-karat gold trophy and rose garland await. Secretariat’s winning run in 1973 set a race record that still stands. Only one other horse has broken the two-minute mark in the 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) race.

The first of three races that form America’s Triple Crown of horse racing, the derby runs the first Saturday of May. The Preakness Stakes in Maryland follows in mid-May, and New York’s Belmont Stakes runs in early June. Only 13 horses have taken the famed Triple Crown — winning all three races in the same year. The most recent, Justify, achieved the rare feat in 2018.

Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Sir Barton are among the horses that achieved folklore status after winning the Kentucky Derby on the way to the Triple Crown. Most derby winners go on to become breeder horses with some enjoying retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park , a sanctuary and museum that celebrates the Kentucky Bluegrass region’s love for horses.

Canadian Bred Horses That Won The Kentucky Derby

Winning a global audience

The derby’s rich history grew from American entrepreneur Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.’s 1872 visit to England’s Epsom Derby. The race inspired Clark to start the Kentucky Derby in Louisville three years later.

By the mid-20th century, the Kentucky Derby outpaced all other U.S. horse races in attendance and prestige. The 2025 Kentucky Derby was broadcast to 170 countries and territories, and total viewership continues to grow.

Left: Jockeys riding race horses (© Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Right: Horse racing spectators watching racing (© Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images) — Left: Sovereignty wins the Kentucky Derby May 3, 2025. (© Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Right: Fans attend the 2025 derby in colorful attire. (© Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images)

Goodlett, the museum curator, says the derby’s reputation as a national cultural event has helped drive its popularity outside the United States. Queen Elizabeth II attended the derby with her husband Prince Philip in 2007.

President Trump, who has attended the Kentucky Derby, calls the race “an iconic American institution and an elegant celebration of our culture, customs, and unwavering competitive spirit.”

This article via Brandon Lambert and our friends at U.S. Dept of State.

Fashion

North America’s Most Famous Photographer Lists California Hideaway

July 18, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

via our friends at toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Annie Leibovitz’s Picture-Perfect California Hideaway Is For Sale

Annie Leibovitz – Self-portrait, c.1990. Auction passed via Galerie Bassenge (Dec 2010).

North America’s most famous living photographer, Annie Leibovitz, had quite the surprise when she bought her 65-acre home and farm in 2019 and learned that North America’s most famous photographer of the 20th century, Ansel Adams, had photographed one of the farm’s barns a century ago. It was the perfect metaphor for her purchase of The Hideaway in Bolinas, California.

Annie Leibovitz – Queen Elizabeth II. Sold for $27,500 usd/ $37,600 cad via Phillips (April 2012).

Leibovitz is renowned for her intimate portraits of celebrities for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. She did Mick Jagger, Adele, Linda Ronstadt, Queen Elizabeth II, Bruce Springsteen, The Blues Brothers, and the Barack Obama family.

Her snapshot of John Lennon wrapped around Yoko Ono, taken just a few hours before his death, is one of Rolling Stone’s most famous cover images. And her photos of then 15 year old Miley Cyrus sparked controversy and marked a turning point in the young singer’s career.

Leo DiCaprio with Swan 1997 by Annie Leibovitz

Declared a Living Legend by the Library of Congress, Annie is the first woman to have a feature exhibition at Washington’s National Portrait Gallery. Born in Connecticut and based in New York, the self-described “California Person” purchased a 65-acre home and farm, known as The Hideaway, in Bolinas, California in 2019, hoping to spend more time on the West Coast, where she had majored in photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. But with her three young adult children on the East Coast, Annie has decided to list the property for sale at $8.9 million usd/ $12.8 million cad.

With her new property dating back to the 1800s, Leibovitz spent over $2 million usd/ $ 2,736,000 cad on improvements, which included several structures: a home with four bedrooms, a guest house, a caretaker’s residence, and a converted garage.

The original, vintage rotary dial phone was retained in the renovation.

A previous owner, Hardly Strictly Blue Grass founder Warren Hellman, added a recording studio and a performance venue with a banquet hall to the property.

An equestrian’s dream, the complex has impressive horse facilities, including a 100′ x 200’ all-weather riding arena and a top-of-the-line, seven-stall barn with exposed beams and an attached office. Spectacular rolling hills and verdant pastures provide fodder for horses, cattle, or other livestock.

Last but definitely not least: gorgeous views of Bolinas Lagoon, Stinson Beach, Mount Tamalpais, the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco, and the surrounding countryside add even more allure to the picture.

What might be described as the perfect California location on Bolinas Bay, Bolinas has a small-town atmosphere but is only an hour’s drive north to San Francisco. Known for its reclusive residents, Bolinas is only accessible via unmarked roads. The Hideaway is close to bird and seal sanctuaries, botanical gardens, great spots for kayaking and surfing, and the charming Bolinas and Stinson Beach towns. Almare Falls, one of only two beach waterfalls in the continental United States, is accessible via the California Coastal Trail. Other celebrities hiding away in this uniquely beautiful, secluded area include director Joel Coen, actress Frances McDormand, chef and restaurateur Alice Waters, and Third-Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins.

The listing is held by Alexander Fromm Lurie at Compass. Photo credit: Jacob Elliott, courtesy of Compass.

Culture

Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue Nurturing 180 Lost Souls

August 20, 2013 The Silo Leave a comment

Dear Silo, Dave and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a successful 6th annual horse fundraising open house event which was held on July 13, 2013. It was a great success again this year reaching our goal of $20,000.

The volunteers did a great job and worked very hard; without their dedication the rescue would not be possible.

A special thank you to all who attended, it was overwhelming to see the support for our cause. Many commented on how much enjoyment they had spending the afternoon on the farm. There was something for everyone including a garage sale, tack sale, BBQ, bake sale, pony rides, face painting and prize table. The petting zoo was a hit with Cashew and Peanut, the mini donkeys being the favourite!

We would also like to thank our event sponsors for providing items and supplies; we are very grateful for your donations.

Lastly, we want to thank you- the media for the continued coverage of Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue’s ongoing operations; it is the public awareness that bring us all together to make a difference.

The proceeds from our event will help with the ongoing care and expenses of over 60 horses, building 4 new paddocks, vaccinating over 60 horses at a cost of $6000 and purchasing much needed hay for the winter. It is this annual event that allows us the opportunity to continue our mission to help horses in need.

Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue has been humbled by the generosity of so many people that have been touched by our rescue efforts. In the past six years, thanks to the overwhelming aid from the public, Dave and I have been able to build a quarantine area for new arrivals; a new barn addition with 5 stalls; fatten up hungry bodies; heal wounds; attend to feet and health issues; and most importantly nurture over 180 lost souls.

We could not do this without help.

This has been an amazing team effort between the Public, Volunteers and generous Community Partners.

Thank You – the Horses Thank You!

Brenda and Dave Thompson