Enthusiasm growing for World Percheron Congress

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/06/2022 (1363 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Excitement over the first World Percheron Congress in Brandon in 18 years is just as palpable as the hope for the draft breed’s future, said publicity manager Ivan Strain.

The six-day event, running from July 18-23, will see hundreds of people from Canada and the U.S. bringing their finest horses, from yearlings to experienced competitive teams, to the Keystone Centre. There will also be international delegates from Spain, France and Germany coming to take in the spectacle.

Also being the first since the pandemic is bringing in a lot of excited exhibitors, breeders and competitive teams to show off the past, present and future of what Strain called an iconic breed.

And there’s no better place to do it than in Brandon, he said.

“This is the best place to host an event like this. We have the space, the staff, equipment and the best part is it’s all indoors,” Strain said. “No matter what happens outside, it’s always dry and warm.”

There will be several events showcasing the breed’s strength and agility as a draft horse. Horses will be exhibited in halter-line classes including mares, geldings and stallions. Hitch classes will include single cart and all the way up to eight-horse hitches. There will also plowing competition, but that will happen at a location east of the city.

Among the key events will be the Breeder’s Challenge, where people from Canada and the U.S. nominated their stallions and their services are sold across both countries for three years, Strain said. Each stallion received one to two breedings at an auction in Ontario, and this will be the event where the offspring, stallion and mare will be viewed and judged on quality, physical attributes, temperament and overall health. The show will feature two-year-olds, yearlings and foals of the current calendar year.

Owners of the mares, stallions and offspring will be vying for a piece of $50,000 in total prize money.

“It’s something we haven’t tried before,” he said. “We have stallions coming from places like Utah and Pennsylvania. This was a chance for people to have a shot at quality breeding stock and it helps keep biodiversity in the breed.”

Other events Strain is looking forward to are youth classes and farm team classes.

These are helping to introduce young people to the breed and competition, he said, which is just as important as maintaining good bloodlines among the horses.

“Without youth, we don’t have a future,” he said. “I am so happy to see so many young people taking up breeding, training and showing these horses. It makes me hopeful for the future of the breed.”

Another good sign is the largest entry class, with 21 yearling fillies (young mares). All of them, he said, have the potential to be future mothers to carry on the breed further.

The Percheron is a draft breed originating from France. They were developed to pull heavy carts and wagons, as well as for agriculture pulling plows. They have become known for the strength, calm temperament and agility.

It’s been exciting, if not challenging, to plan this Congress for the past four years. Strain explained Brandon was scheduled to host the 2022 Congress anyway, but five breeders went to the Iowa Congress 1n 2018 to show their horses and talk with organizers about having teams and sponsors for the Brandon event. Everyone seemed happy about the prospect of returning to Brandon and shortly after advertising for sponsorships commenced.

The pandemic threw plans into disarray for a time, but the timing of restrictions lifting for Canada means they can go ahead.

Registrations are still being taken for the Congress, but Strain added he hoped remaining border restrictions will be eased by July 1. Organizers are planning for fewer American teams due to border restrictions.

Updates and more information can be found at worldpercheroncongress.ca. Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Strain at 204-534-7227, or igstrain@mymts.net.

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1