National Foal Championship - 2008

The Canadian Sport Horse Association National Foal Championship is into its 3rd consecutive year and, yet again, the well respected jumper stallion, Ikoon, figured prominently in the top placed foals.  “Harry”, as Ikoon is affectionately known at Creekside Farm, Calgary, Alberta, was sire of the winner of the 2008 CSHA National Foal Championship. Daisy Duke is by Ikoon out of the Gallipoli (Hann.) daughter, Ghia. This lovely bay filly, scored well in the Alberta regional competition garnering a 1st Premium and then succeeding as the top scoring foal nationally for 2008.  Ikoon, now 18 years old, has sired the National champion for 3 consecutive years. Owners Linda and Jacques Ackermann, keen supporters of the CSHA/Alberta Chapter, brought 4 fillies to the competition.

This year’s judge Lesley Marcou-Sibbitt (Ontario) gamely travelled across the country evaluating the 2008 crop of sport horse foals. As well as being a CSHA Inspector, Lesley is a British Horse Society Instructor and has 40 years experience as a Senior Judge of Breed Shows, Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. She has bred, trained and shown horses for 4 decades, winning many championships including at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. She has hunted for 6 seasons with the Lake of Two Mountains Hunt in Hudson, Quebec.

Although the CSHA Board of Directors feels the Championship has made great headway in overcoming issues created by Canada’s vast geography, the Association is still looking for ways to improve the system of running a National Championship of this scope. The consensus is to continue to support the successful plan to keep one judge evaluating these youngsters from coast to coast and it is a commitment that is paying off in numerous ways.  Breeders feel that the consistency of assessment is the key to achieving a truly national championship. As a participant this in this year’s Championship, CSHA President Lisa Murphy commented, “The thing I find very intriguing about the National Foal Championship is the foal grading.  As this is a nascent program, we are going to have to wait for a few years to see if the Premium grading of the foals as part of the Championship competitions will be a factor we can use in predicting future performance.  Will these first and second premium babies go on to success in the competition ring?  As with anything to do with breeding – time will tell.”

The success of this program lies in the breeders’ hands.  Each province is encouraged to step up to the plate and organize its own regional championship with the support of the National Foal Championship Committee and the National office. The 2008 Championship saw the introduction of the Atlantic division which hosted the foal class along with a Breed Line Show at Riverside Sport Horses near Moncton, N.B.  The Alberta Chapter Regional Championship was held at Anderson Ranch, Calgary, in conjunction with Rocky Mountain Show Jumping’s Fall Classic tournament.  The two Ontario Regionals were stand alone events; one at Ashland Farm near Ottawa and the other at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy (formerly York Equestrian Centre).

“The great thing about this Championship,” says breeder, Paul Morgan, “is that it is uncomplicated and the money is very good.  You don’t have to nominate then wait years to reap the benefits like a futurity.”

There was a total of 17 stallions represented this year:  Asher (2), Cabardino (1), Case (1), Corland(1), ES Bonheur (1), Freestyle (2), Garamond (1), Guaranteed Gold (1), Ikoon (3), Ironman (1),  Jamestown (1), Portland (1), Raffaello (1), Roman K (2), Rotspon (1), Viva Voltaire(1), Xavier K (1),

Top Foal for 2008

Name:Daisy Duke      Owner/Breeder: Linda Ackermann Dam: Ghia O/B Linda Ackerman Sire: Ikoon – O/B Linda Ackerman

Alberta - September 11, 2008 – Anderson Ranch

Ikoon (Libero H x Zalita x Nimmerdor) is a KWPN Stallion; a Gold Premium CSHA approved stallion and has stood at stud in BC, Ontario and Alberta. He produced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed foals which included the overall National winning filly, Daisy Duke.  Ikoon is the grandsire of 4th placed filly, Cassandra CF.

1st Daisy Duke – Ikoon x Ghia x Gallipoli   O/B Linda Ackermann 1st Premium
2nd Dutchess CF – Ikoon x Pacific Spirit II x South Pacific  O/B Linda Ackermann 1st Premium
3rd Ivan -  Ikoon x Rumour SC x Bri-Mel’s Ruhm   O/B Lisa Murphy    2nd Premium
4th Cassandra CF – Case x Billie Jean x Ikoon – O/B Linda Ackermann   2nd Premium
5th Posh – Portland x Wawarra FF x Widukind – O – L. Ackermann/B –T. Rogers  2nd Premium
6th Cornershot – Corland x Cornerstone II x Beaston Laird – O/B  Tammy Cruikshank  2nd Premium
7th BF Gestick --  Garamond II x Rio Lambada x Rio Grand, Eh  - O/B  Browning Farms  2nd Premium
8th BF Baton Rouge – ES Bonheur x Symphony II  x Band Practice - O/B  Browning Farms  2nd Premium

	Name: Marquis de Tonnerre   Owner/Breeder: Zoe Erichsen-Meesters Dam: Maingay Tonnere Gloria / FranchereDiablo Tonnerre Sire: Jamestown
	Name: Danyka K        Owner/Breeder: Paul & Darlene Morgan & Peter Karneef Dam: Unka / Indorado Sire: Roman K
	Name: Bring It On      Owner/Breeder: Sue Pallottta Dam: Bonne Ami / Domritter Sire: Kirow H