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For further information on this article, check out: Cyberfoal Casey Creek Alberta Equestrian Federation |
The Canadain Warmblood Horse Breeders Association Young Breeder's Group Many breed associations have various programs for the youth in their association, ranging from a page in the breed newsletter to youth classes and points systems. The Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association has taken their ideas a step further with their Young Breeders Group. Beyond engaging youth as riders and competitors, they are looking to better the future of the breed by educating their future breeders. Last summer the CWHBA sent a team of 6 young Canadians to the WBFSH
Young Breeders Competition in Belgium. The competition consists
of 3 parts: Wendy Gielis had the chance to compete as part of the Canadian team.She says, "We were the first team from North America to participate and that was very much appreciated in Europe. The competition was held at the same time as the world military championship, and we slept in big army tents. The horses were all mares and they had brought together the best mares the region had to offer. You drew a number that determined the mare you had to run with and present. You run in white pants, and your top is the studbook color, in our case it is green. Every studbook judges a bit differently and we were shown how the Belgiums judge. Some use the 1 to 10 system, 10 being the best, others, like the Dutch, use the - 20 to + 20 point system. "The groups all wore their Studbook colours, everyone brought flags. At the end of the competition everyone traded their flag with one of the other studbooks. The CWHBA flag was asked for by all other studbooks, but we only had one. The Europeans had a lot of questions about the CWHBA, what stallions we used, most of them had never heard of us. Their consensus afterwards was that we were just like the European Warmblood studbooks. "The Belgiums did a very good job organizing it, there were
lots of parties at night and the atmosphere between the different
studbooks was very friendly. All of us stayed for a while in Europe
and went to see different places, some cultural, some horse related. The next WBFSH Young Breeder Competition will be held in 2005 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Young Breeder's Group members 16-24 have the chance to earn a spot on the Canadian team. National teams consist of six participants, a junior and a senior team of three people each. Youth compete to be on the team and in preparation for the competition in Europe. All expenses for the team will be paid by a series of clinics being held across Canada. The group has been formed to teach young breeders the practical and theoretical details of the horse breeding industry. Members research and present information on bloodlines, stallions, and pedigrees, talk to experienced breeders, and learn to understanding the CWHBA's registration system, including why and how to register.Clinics and presentations (proceeds from which go to fund the Canadian team in Europe) are open to all horsepersons, not just members. Topics that are covered include the basics of horse health, breeding and esterous cycles, mare-care for the coming foal, the foaling process, and management of the foal, presented by qualified equine veterinarians. Practical, hands-on clinic sessions cover presenting the mare in a line class, judging a line class, and preparation of the horse and presenter. Members participate in Junior handler classes to compete in the handling and presenting of horses and at the end of the year they will do a quiz to test their knowledge of general horse care, studbooks and bloodlines. The group has no membership fee, but CWHBA and provincial equestrian federation membership is required. Wendy says, "I ask every member of the Young Breeder Group to become a CWHBA member and a member of the OEF. I think that is a good idea because it shows that they are committed to the breed organization, and the OEF gives you insurance when you do horse related activities." The Ontario group has had three meetings so far this year; the next meeting will be during a mare inspection. Youth will have the opportunity to be shadow judges and learn from the inspectors about judging processes. Following is a show with the youth entering the junior handler class. They are also expected to volunteer at breed shows. This year, a chapter has also opened in Saskatchewan. The first meeting covered topics such as: what is the Canadian Warmblood, what the Canadian Warmblood organization does, and what the CWHBA Young Breeders group can do. Parents and interested adults are welcome. Saskatchewan Young Breeders Group Ontario Young Breeders Group
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