WRDHA Futurity Results

WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE FUTURITY
September 10 & 11, 2011
Olds, Alberta, Canada
Judge: Darryl Horn, Virden, Manitoba

Futurity Yearling Halter (14)

1. Riverside Classic Nicole (C) – Gordon & Fay Campbell, Fawcett, AB
2. Eyebright’s Lucas Rex (P) – Gordon & Shannon Ruzicka, Viking, AB
3. Maple West Hawkeye (P) – John & Lois Walker, Calgary, AB
4. Krebsie’s Spring Liza (B) – Darwin & Louise Krebs, Didsbury, AB
5. Duhaime’s Blake (P) – Albert, Emma & Nichole Duhaime, Paynton, SK
6. Prins View Lacy (B) – Bill & Dini Prins, Fort Saskatchewan, AB
7. Willow Way Keno (C) – W. Gordeyko, K. Wilkieson, A. Heatlie, Ohaton, AB
8. Calico Heidi (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero, Huxley, AB
9. Mundie’s Royce (B) – Drew Mundie, Innisfail, AB
10. Seven Hill’s Cooper (C) – Mark & Natalie Hill, Goodsoil, AB
11. Calico Piece of Heaven (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero, Huxley, AB

Two-Year-Old Futurity (7)

Halter Class
1. Duhaime’s Danica (B) – Alberta, Emma & Nichole Duhaime
2. Walkerbrae Lexus (P) – G. Ruzicka, S. Gregg & J. Walker, Viking, AB
3. Krebsie’s Nat A Lynn (B) – Darwin & Louise Krebs
4. Maple West Gertrude (P) – Don & Evelyn Strandquist, Stettler, AB
5. Calico Great Galaxy (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero
6. Hatfield Out Front (C) – Gordon & Fay Campbell
7. SanLan First Liberty (P) – Cameron & Julie Roy

Pattern Driving Class
1. Walkerbrae Lexus (P) – Ruzicka, Gregg & Walker
2. Hatfield Out Front (C) – Gordon & Fay Campbell
3. SanLan First Liberty (P) – Cameron & Julie Roy
4. Duhaime’s Danica (B) – Albert, Emma & Nichole Duhaime
5. Krebsie’s Nat A Lynn (B) – Darwin & Louise Krebs
6. Maple West Gertrude (P) – Don & Evelyn Strandquist
7. Calico Great Galaxy (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero

Rail Cart Class
1. Walkerbrae Lexus (P) – Ruzicka, Gregg & Walker
2. Duhaime’s Danica (B) – Albert, Emma & Nichole Duhaime
3. Hatfield Out Front (C) – Gordon & Fay Campbell
4. Maple West Gertrude (P) – Don & Evelyn Strandquist
5. Krebsie’s Nat A Lyn (B) – Darwin & Louise Krebs
6. Calico Great Galaxy (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero
7. SanLan First Liberty (P) – Cameron & Julie Roy

Final Placings
1. Walkerbrae Lexus (P) – Ruzicka, Gregg & Walker
2. Duhaime’s Danica (B) – Albert, Emma & Nichole Duhaime
3. Hatield Out Front (C) – Gordon & Fay Campbell
4. Krebsie’s Nat A Lynn – Darwin & Louise Krebs
5. Maple West Gertrude (P) – Don & Evelyn Strandquist
6. Calico Great Galaxy (C) – Kevin & Tammy Pelonero
7. SanLan First Liberty (P) – Cameron & Julie Roy

2011 WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE FUTURITY

The seven 2-year-old finalists at the 2011 Wild Rose Draft Horse Futurity were schooled like few youngsters of their age. These Belgians, Clydesdales and Percherons were placed by Darryl Horn of Virden, Manitoba, in three very different disciplines – Pattern Driving, on Halter and in a Rail Cart Class. The owner’s of the seven finalist’s divided the futurity purse, which was the largest ever offered, thanks to the many sponsors generous support. Once again the Wild Rose Futurity and the Alberta Foal Show shared the facility and judge.

Each 2-year-old was challenged by the Pattern Driving Course. Entering the Cow Palace at a walk, the finalist circled the show-ring at a trot, before they executed a figure eight around the two spaced pylons centre-ring. This manoeuvre completed, each 2-year-old was stopped, centered between the pylons, where they were given time to settle. Then they were turned 90 degrees to their left. Each 2-year-old was stopped, facing the pylon to their left. Again, each 2-year-old was given time to settle, then turned right 180 degrees, before they were stopped facing the pylon to their right. After they had time to settle, each 2-year-old was turned left 90 degrees, assuming their original position between the two pylons. Given time to settle standing, the driver left the cart, dropped his lines and walked to his 2-year-old’s head. The driver then lifted his 2-year-old’s left front foot, then the right font foot of his standing 2-year-old. This done, each driver returned to his cart, gathered his lines, and got in. Each 2-year-old that failed to execute these manoeuvres in the expected manner received penalty points.

Each 2-year-old next moved to the entrance of a well outlined keyhole. The entrance was inches wider than the wheels of a show cart. In the tight keyhole, the cart was turned 360 degrees to the left by the 2-year-old, before exiting the keyhole’s entrance. Each 2-year-old then entered the keyhole a second time, turning the cart 360 degrees to the right, before exiting the keyhole’s entrance. If the 2-year-old’s feet or the cart’s wheels touched the keyhole’s outline, and/or if the 2-year-old failed to execute the pattern in the manner expected, penalty points were awarded.
On leaving the keyhole each 2-year-old and cart had to to pass between two elevated rails, eight feet in length. Suspended on pylons, the rails were little wider than the cart’s wheels. Each 2-year-old was stopped, when the cart’s wheels left the narrow passage. Then each 2-year-old had to back the cart through the narrow passage. If the 2-year-old or cart knocked suspended rails off the pylons, penalty points were awarded. Each 2-year-old that failed to execute these manoeuvres in the manner expected was awarded penalty points.

This year Walkerbrae Lexus, a 2-year-old Percheron colt, shown by Gordon Ruzicka of Viking, Alberta, was 1st Pattern Driving; 2nd shown on Halter; 1st in the Rail Cart class, for a total of 4 points. Duhaime’s Danica, the 2-year-old Belgian, shown by Nichole Duhaime of Paynton, Saskatchewan, was 2nd Pattern Driving; 1st shown on Halter; 3rd in the Rail Cart class, for a total of 6 points; while Hatfield Up Front, a 2-year-old Clydesdale, shown by Gordon Campbell of Fawcett, was 2nd Pattern Driving; 6th shown on Halter; 3rd in the Rail Cart Class, for a total of 11 points. These 2-year-old’s were placed first, second and third, respectively, at the 2011 Wild Rose Draft Horse Futurity.

The skill of the horsemen, who fielded a 2-year-old finalist at the 2011 Wild Rose Draft Horse Futurity, was recognized ringside. Horsemen need to locate, then nominate structurally correct foals that have promise; their skill feeding, breaking and schooling their 2-year-old for the pattern drive will be challenged; and they need a 2-year-old, that has the flash and style sought in a show-ring. Win place or show, whatever their size, whatever their type, whatever their breed, the 2-year-old finalists are Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and Shires, that are foolproof for their owners and for those who purchase them.

The Yearling Futurity Class, an optional class, saw 14 foals of the 23 nominated, step centre-ring. They were impressive to behold – Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and one Shire. The heavy and light horse pundits ringside were vocal, for the structural correctness, conformation and true action these athletic yearlings, won their praise. The 2-year-old’s the 2012 Wild Rose Draft Horse Futurity will showcase, should offer stellar competition.

Riverside Classic Nicolas won the Yearling Futurity Class, which is a halter class. Shown by Gordon & Fay Campbell of Fawcett, Alberta, this Clydesdale colt is a tightly bred. The celebrated sire, Ayton Perfection, appears three times in his pedigree. Riverside Classic Nicoplas was shown at Madison, Wisconsin’s 2011 World Clydesdale Show weeks later. Here he successfully faced over 600 Clydesdale entries, standing near the top of his class. A light bay, next to sorrel in colour, his face, feet and legs are white. Stood on feet, pasterns and legs of classic design, his underpinning should wear a lifetime. A wealth of straight hair, fine as silk, furnished his underpinning. Nicely turned over his top, Riverside Classic Nicolas takes hold of the ground with size eight shoes.