Extreme Horsepower at Calgary Stampede Results in Drive-Off For World Champion Title
Photo courtesy of Calgary Stampede.
Champion Entrant – Eaglesfield Percherons, Didsbury, AB for Brian and Randi Thiel
Reserve Champion – Blue Ribbon Days (Percherons), Farmington, MO
Calgary – The Calgary Stampede’s most venerable event – the World Championship Six Horse Hitch Competition – named its 2014 Champion on Sunday afternoon. The Didsbury, Alta. Eaglesfield Percherons entry of Brian Coleman is the 128th name on the list of Calgary winners.
This year the competition returned to the Saddledome and the traditional musical accompaniment by members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. This year, thirteen high-stepping heavy horse teams – Percherons, Clydesdales, Belgians and Shires – circled the floor in front of a panel of three judges. So close was the competition that four teams had to return for a drive-off, giving the judges another chance to assess the teams’ presentation.
The win was Coleman’s fifth in the World Championship Six Horse Hitch Competition, and he says, “It feels just as good every time. Just to show in this class, with the crowd and the orchestra – it sends shivers down your spine. Winning is over the top.”
Photo courtesy of Calgary Stampede.
His Eaglesfield Percherons operation trains horses from all over North America, Coleman says, which is why his victories have occurred with a variety of teams owned by different owners. This year, the horses Coleman drove to victory were owned by Brian and Randi Thiel of Pleasant Grove, California, although Coleman has been working with them for about a year.
Building a team of competitive driving horses is a considerable task, Coleman says, requiring an almost continuous process of assessment. “We’re working two sides of the horse. We want them to perform with lots of show and lots of athleticism and lots of energy, and yet, when they enter the centre of the ring they have to stand quietly. Some horses drive well. Some horses stand well, but you have one that will do both.”
This year, he says, there are two new, younger horses on the team. “You have to make sure, when you put a young horse in, that they’re really ready. For the older horses, it’s second nature, but sometimes the younger horse might have to stop and think.” It comes down to confidence, Coleman insists. “If they have a successful outing, it builds their confidence. That’s when they use their ears the best and look the proudest – is when they have confidence.”
“It always feels good to win at home,” Coleman says. “Stampede has an atmosphere like no other. It really does feel good to win here.”
Photo courtesy of Calgary Stampede.
RESULTS – Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Show
(CLASS, champion, owner, hometown)
BELGIAN SUPREME CHAMPION – Duhaime’s Nightingdale, Albert & Emma Duhaime, Paynton, Sask.
CLYDESDALE SUPREME CHAMPION – TFC Fusilier’s Spice, Steve Westgate, Hinton, Alta.
PERCHERON SUPREME CHAMPION – Y.E.S. Mystique, Chad Munns, Garland, Utah.
SHIRE SUPREME CHAMPION – Landcliffe Master, Arlin Wareing, Blackfoot, Idaho.
BEST OF SHOW – Jim McPeak Memorial Trophy presented by John Walker
– Y.E.S. Mystique, Chad Munns, Garland, Utah
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together; we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
