A Winning Pattern – The Champions are Crowned at the Calgary Stampede’s Canadian National Miniature Horse Show

CALGARY — Five wins in a row? You’ve officially entered dynasty territory. And that’s where First Knight Striders Black Satin firmly planted her hooves on Sunday afternoon when she was crowned Canadian National Supreme Halter Champion once again.

The seven-year-old mare, owned by Holly Whyte and Bill Clark of Tomahawk, Alberta was shown by Stephani Pappas of Beaumont, Texas at the Calgary Stampede’s Canadian National Miniature Horse Show, a break from tradition as Whyte usually shows her.

“My mom was the breeder. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Stampede and asked if I would like to lead her in the class,” said Pappas, who wore a gold lame cowgirl outfit for the occasion. “What makes her special is a lot of things: it’s her confirmation, it’s how she’s put together, it’s her showing attitude. She is just a star and we love her.”

The mare, out of three-time world champion First Knights Lord of the Rings, continues to blaze brightly on the show circuit despite her age, Pappas added.

“She is doing very well. A lot of times, it’s hard for an older horse to compete against the younger ones coming up, but she is going up against horses half her age and still beating them.”

While they may be small in stature — topping out at a maximum height of 34 inches — these steeds get the job done. Hunter/jumper, pleasure driving and obstacle were just some of the 83 classes that took place over four days of competition in the Northern Lights Arena and the Nutrien Western Event Centre.

Once they’re hooked, it’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to build herds of the animal, which were originally bred to pull coal-loaded carts in the mines of England. Just ask Stephanie Gabrielson, who shares her family’s acreage east of Calgary with 15 miniature horses. So what do you do with all those minis? That’s easy, she says.

“We love them,” says Gabrielson, 29, the third generation of her family who have had their heart completely captivated by the breed. Her grandmother showed, as do her mom, Tracy Rouleau, of Smoky Mountain Miniatures and her aunts.

And Gabrielson is passing on that passion for miniature horses to her son James, who just turned four. Despite his tender age, 2018 marks James’s second time showing at the Stampede. He and his miniature horse, Circle J Escape from Alcatraz, competed in the Youth Costume Class. While his steed was done up as a dinosaur, James boasted a caveman costume that was assembled from one his mom wore when she competed as a four-year-old at the Stampede.

“When James sees me practicing, he wants to be right there. I influence him to want to be with his horse,” said Gabrielson, who also showed at this year’s Stampede, as did her mother. “I get to be his role model, but since he really, really likes his horse, I have it pretty easy when it comes to practicing.”

She’s also sharing that passion for the breed with the next generation. Gabrielson runs the Western Canadian Miniature Horse Club’s youth program. She says it’s a “great honour” to foster youth development in the sport.

“It teaches them responsibility and how to instill respect, trust and honesty: all the things you have with the horse,” Gabrielson says. “And it teaches you to trust yourself and have confidence in your abilities, as well as how to trust another creature.”

Visit ag.calgarystampede.com/results for the full results from the Calgary Stampede Canadian National Miniature Horse Show.

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 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.

See more at CalgaryStampede.com