Expect to see plenty of cowboy hats and spurs around Red Deer September 30 to October 6th! The largest cutting, reining and working cow horse event in the Pacific Northwest will fill every inch at Westerner Park for a full week of top level competition at the Canadian Supreme.
With nearly five hundred horses entered, the city of Red Deer gets a big business boost from the participants and fans taking in the exciting action. This fall, the Supreme marks its 30th year in Red Deer.
“It’s our biggest horse event by far,” states Westerner General Manager John Harms. “We’re delighted to have worked with the organizers and watched this show grow over the many years.”
Calgary’s Dave Robson has served as chairman of the Supreme for thirty years of the show’s 37 year history.
“We are really trying to show the elite of the Western horse world,” says Robson. “I think we do that well.”
During the show, there are horses competing in both the Prairie Pavilion and the Agri-Centre. The featured Saturday night performance, the Cinch Night at the Supreme, is an ideal way to see a great variety of talented horses and riders in some of the most exciting classes. As well, there is the Western Lifestyle Marketplace, featuring all things equine, along with renowned western artists. It runs from the Thursday through the Saturday of the show. On the Friday night, the stands fill early for the Western Horse Sale, organized by Elaine Speight of Rocky Mountain House. The sale features select horses that range from prospects to competition-ready mounts. More details on this year’s sale are available at www.thewesternhorsesale.com
With close to half a million dollars available in cash and prizes, the Supreme is the richest western horse event in Canada. It’s a reputation builder for superstar horses, but an important business event for horse trainers.
“A special treat this year will be an extra bonus for the twelve Canadian Supreme Futurity Class Champions,” said Robson. “They’ll each receive a limited edition framed Paul Van Ginkel giclee art print, valued at $950 along with the trophy buckles.”
Another distinctive feature this Supreme will be additions to the event’s Virtual Hall of Fame.
“We have a category for Founders of the event, and this year we’ll be honoring two of those founders, whom we’ve recently lost – Roger Heintz and John Miller.”
While competitors travel from afar to take part in the Supreme, there are lots of local riders and horses to cheer on. In fact, the Kolsun family of Sylvan Lake will have three members taking part in the reining classes. Last year, mother Cathy and daughter Bailey actually tied for first place in one of their classes. Bruce and Gwen McMeekin of Alhambra rode away with a good dose of prize money last year in the cutting division, while Kevin Baumann of Red Deer is another keen cutter. Trainers like Lacombe’s Brad Pederson, Dustin Gonnet of Cayley, and Guy Heintz of High River will be busy with a remuda of top notch horses in numerous classes. The High River region will be well represented, with Clint Swales, Jesse Thomson and Vince Kaglea also competing. Dale Clearwater, from Hanley, SK, will be one to watch in the always tough Snaffle Bit classes, which require horses to be able to cut, rein and work cattle along a fence.
In 2012, the Canadian Supreme decided to open its doors and invite the public to attend free of charge. That proved to be a popular move, and so will be in affect again this year.
The 2013 Canadian Supreme begins Monday, September 30th and concludes Sunday, October 6th at Red Deer’s Western Park. The exciting Cinch Night of the Supreme, goes 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 5th. The Western Lifestyle Marketplace opens at 10:00 am Thursday October 3rd, and runs through until Saturday night at 9:00 pm. Admission this year is free.
For further information, head to www.canadiansupreme.com or contact Betty Gardner at 403-313-8673.
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