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News Breeder News

Breeder’s Committee Launches New Reproductive Seminar

he CQHA Breeder’s committee is proud to offer a NEW virtual seminar developed in partnership with AQHA through the funding of the Education Marketing Grant.
 
Breeding Best Practices for Stallion and Mare owners is facilitated by Rafael E. Martinez Ph.D., of Sam Houston State University. The seminar discusses the following:
  • Selection of Breeding Stallions and Mares
    • Reproductive Evaluations
    • Genetic Testing
  • Stallion Breeding Methods
    • Live Cover
    • AI – Shipped
    • Frozen Semen
  • Mares
    • Embryo Transfer
    • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Dr. Martinez received his Ph.D. in equine nutrition and reproductive physiology from Texas A&M. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Equine Sciences at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, where he teaches a variety of equine courses, and also provides equine reproduction consultation services for clients and veterinarians. Dr. Martinez has been an Educational Market Place Clinician for AQHA’s QSP Program, teaching clinics for our international affiliates, including Uruguay, Slovenia, Denmark, Costa Rica, Alberta, and Mexico.

CQHA is pleased to offer Canadian AQHA members these FREE educational opportunities delivered by experts in their respective fields.

Additionally, those who sign up for this seminar can also enroll in any or all of the following seminars: 

  • Equine Genetic Diseases: Dr. Carrie Hammer, DVM, Ph.D., North Dakota State University
  • Farrier Science: Travis Burns, MSc, CJF, TE, EE, FWCF
  • Conformation, Western Horsemanship and Trail: Karen Graham AQHA Judge / Pro Horsewoman
  • Equine Welfare and Behavior: Eugene Spagnola, AQHA Judge/ Pro Horseman
  • The Business of Horses in Canada: Tara Gamble, AQHA Pro Horsewoman

These seminars are FREE to all AQHA members, simply sign up through the Eventbrite event registration application, and wait to receive your confirmation of enrollment from AQHA. 

 
 
Categories
News Youth News

2022 Scholarship Recipients

Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund Selects Three Recipients for 2022

September 15, 2022 — Calgary, AB — The Calgary Foundation is very pleased to announce the following scholarships have been awarded from the Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund in 2022. There are two different categories of scholarships, one going to first or second-year students (two $1,000 awards) and the other going to students advancing past their second year of studies (one $2,000 award). Qualified students from across Canada applied for the three available scholarships this past June.      

$1,000 Awarded to Jalen Thurgood, BC

$1,000 Awarded to Aliera Chernoff, AB

$2,000 Awarded to Ashley Nixon, ON

“Once again we were extremely impressed with the scholarship applicants this year,” said Dr. Wayne Burwash. “This is the eighth year that The Calgary Foundation has awarded the scholarships in memory of Shannon and they have awarded a total of $31,000.  The scholarships are open to students from across Canada and are awarded to deserving students who are focused on getting a post-secondary education, and being involved in the horse industry in their future This year the recipients are from British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

Besides her family, the two most important things in Shannon’s life were horses and education.  She loved horses and had a very, very strong feeling that all young people should get some sort of post-secondary education.  Therefore, we think these awards are not only a very fitting tribute to her but hopefully would serve as an incentive for young people to get a horsey/agricultural type education which would lay the foundation for them to become leaders in the horse industry.”

ASHLEY NIXON - $2,000 Leadership Award
Ashley Nixon, ON - second year in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the Ontario Veterinary College

ASHLEY NIXON is entering her second year in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology, and a Master’s degree in Animal Science at the University of Guelph. Leading up to her acceptance into veterinary school, she worked for several years in the equine veterinary industry at the OVC Large Animal Hospital and in private practice.

Outside of academic requirements, Ashley has worked on developing her understanding of veterinary medicine by attending symposiums, forums, and round tables. Ashley has also volunteered at events run by VetPD, Future Vets Club, College Royal, and has been involved in various OVC Clubs. Most notably, Ashley has been on the executive committee for the OVC Equine Club, where she has helped organize and run club events. In her first year of veterinary school, she helped organize the Equine Practitioner’s Forum, which allowed veterinary students to meet various equine practitioners from across Canada and the United States. More recently, Ashley was elected as OVC Equine Club’s Vice President/Junior AAEP Representative for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Aliera Chernoff - $1,000 Encouragement Award
ALIERA CHERNOFF, AB - Attending Old’s College to pursue a diploma in Agriculture Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness

ALIERA CHERNOFF grew up in Alberta as a 4-H member where she was introduced to the sport of reining. She was recently selected to attend the Youth World Reining Cup in Brazil and tells us that “It was the most amazing experience, I was able to meet amazing people involved in the sport, and made friendships from across the world.”

Chernoff has been volunteering at Reining events for the past 2 years, and was a Western Canada Delegate for the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and has acted as the youth liaison for Reining Alberta’s South Branch. Chernoff says “horses have taught me so much and have made me into the leader I am today and I hope to carry that on and continue to help other youth who are just getting into horses. I am currently attending Old’s College to pursue a diploma in Agriculture Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness. Which I will use in the future to run my own business in the agricultural field.” Her hope is to always have horses in her life.

Jalen Thurgood - $1,000 Encouragement Award
Jalen Thurgood, BC - Second year of her undergrad at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) where she is obtaining prerequisites for application to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

JALEN THURGOOD is in her second year of her undergrad at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) where she is obtaining prerequisites for application to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Thurgood grew up on a small farm in Salmon Arm, BC. where both parents practiced large animal veterinary medicine. Haven ridden horses all her life she has been competing competitively with Icelandic horses since the age of eleven, thanks to her grandparents keen involvement with the breed. She is the youngest certified Class 1 Sports Judge in the world and was the first Canadian to participate in the International Icelandic Horse Youth Cup and the North American Icelandic Horse Youth Cup; she states “I love my sport and in the future, I hope to use my knowledge as an equine veterinarian to educate and help fellow equestrians succeed in their discipline.”

Thurgood has been an active member of 4-H for ten years, and has participated at several community fundraising events. Currently she is a 4-H BC Ambassador for the Kamloops-Okanagan Region; her role as an ambassador is to promote the 4-H program within the region and within the province, volunteer at 4-H events, and to act as a resource to members, leaders, and the public, she tells us “I love 4-H and am always looking for ways to give back to the program. Recently, I joined the executive team for the UBCO Pre-Vet Club as treasurer.”

Categories
News General News

2022 AQHA Ride Program Achievers

Congratulations to the following Canadians who have been recognized by the AQHA’s Horse Back Riding Program for 2022.

The AQHA Horseback Riding Program rewards you for spending time with your horse. Spending time with your horse is one of the great parts of your life. AQHA’s Horseback Riding Program is a way to honor your horse and your partnership, as well as earn rewards for something you’re already doing. 

Once you enroll in the program, you can start recording hours. As you climb the achievement hour levels, you will earn valuable prizes and earn recognition for you and your horse. 

All breeds are welcome – there is both an American Quarter Horse division and an All-Breeds division.

Quarter Horse Division
5,000 Hour Award - Janelle Cameron of  Wetaskiwin, Alberta
5,000 Hour Award

Janelle Cameron of  Wetaskiwin, Alberta with Mr. Peppy’s Bonanza, Betarocknrumble, Goodtimebootscootin, and Elko.

Each one of my horses has taught me something different. That’s one of the cool things about horses and getting to ride so many different ones. 

I have lots of good memories but I think it’s neat to look back at where I was 5,000 hours ago and compare it to now; I’ve come a long way not only in my horsemanship but in my life as well. 

I am an equestrian strength and performance coach and owner of Optimize Your Ride. I look forward to taking what I’ve learned in my formal education in Kinesiology and what my horses have taught me to helping other riders become the best partners they can be to their horses!

2500 Hour Award - Anne Lewis from Coalhurst, Alberta.
2,500 Hour Award

Anne Lewis of Coalhurst, Alberta with Zans Golden Ruler aka “Simon”

My first horse was an American Quarter Horse and I have stuck with the breed ever since. I love the look and versatility of them. Trail riding is my passion. Living in southern Alberta, winter means indoor riding with the occasional coulee ride on a warm day. I take dressage lessons and clinics when available. I live a hour away from the Rocky Mountains. Waterton Lakes National Park and Castle Provincial Park offer trails galore to explore and camp.

500 Hour Awards
Wyatt Hallock with ONLYHOTTILLMIDNIGHT from Ontario
Karen Krueger with DF Jackpot aka "Mazer" from Stanley, Manitoba
Becky Green with Peppered Playmate & Skipped My Pepper from Hay Lakes, Alberta
All Breed Division
2,500 Hour Award - Lena Kronschnabl of Thorsby, Alberta, Canada

2,500 Hour Award – Lena Kronschnabl
 with Juanna Lil Red Rose, Snoopys Black Juan, Snaps Bully girl from
Thorsby, Alberta

All of my horses mean the world to me as I love them to pieces! Each one has his own personality, and not all of them are way to handle. They work extremely well for me and I am so happy friends trusted me and gave me the opportunity to own them. As part of the Horseback Riding Program, I love the gifts and getting my own mail, plus it is really interesting how many hours I spend with the horses! In the future, I want to compete in our amateur rodeos, high school rodeos and our local junior rodeos as I do barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, ribbon roping, breakaway roping and started to team rope (heeling). 

2,500 Hour Award - Karen Shannon of Alberta

2,500 Hour Award – Karen Shannon with Boomer and Sexsmith, from Alberta

Boomer is a truly unique Paint Appaloosa, exhibiting both the pinto markings and a spotted blanket on his hips. Riding is a life-long passion for me. During the winter, I find Boomer in the pasture, put on a hackamore, climb on something, and Boomer moves over so I can get on. We will continue our HBR journey, riding the trails together, perhaps for another 2000 hours.