Arabian Championship sees ‘exponential growth’

Canada’s National Arabian Championship wrapped up Saturday at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, with organizers describing the latest edition as a significant step forward for the event as participation continues to grow.

Tex Kam said the 10-day show has experienced “exponential growth” since the Canadian association took over the event following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Growth is kind of our theme word, and hospitality,” Kam, vice-president of the National Arabian Breed Association, told the Sun. “The championship had more than 300 horses this year, compared with about 170 to 180 when the association first began running the event in 2022.”

The association was formed during the pandemic to take over the championship from the American organization that had previously operated it. The show was held in Brandon from 2011 to 2019 before being cancelled for three years during COVID-19.

The Canadian association held the championship in Red Deer, Alta., from 2022 to 2024 before returning to Brandon last year. It has since signed a multi-year agreement to keep the championship at the Keystone Centre for several years.

Kam, who lives in Edmonton, said the association has been pleased with its return to Brandon.

“Brandon, I would say, has been very, very welcoming,” he said. “The city, the province, the facility … everybody here is great.”

The championship also expanded its community focus this year with its first community day, which included guided tours, children’s programming, a colouring room and a stick-horse contest.

Kam said about 40 to 50 children participated in the activities, while several guided tours were also held.

“It was kind of an experiment for us, and it was really well attended,” he said.

The association’s efforts to make the championship more accessible are part of its broader goal of introducing Arabian horses to people who may not otherwise be familiar with the breed.

Kam said there is a misconception that Arabian horses are only for wealthy owners or that they are wild animals, when they can instead be suitable family horses.

“We want everybody that comes here to feel like they’re welcome,” he said. “Whether you have a horse, whether you just want to watch the show, you’re welcome. It’s free to attend.”

That emphasis on inclusivity extends to the competitors and volunteers taking part in the national championship.

Although it is a Canadian championship, the event attracts exhibitors from across North America, including Florida, California, Vancouver, Ontario and other regions.

Kam said the show does not have the traditional VIP restrictions found at some equestrian events. Instead, exhibitors, workers and volunteers are brought together for lunch each day, creating what he described as a family atmosphere.

“We feed them, and we have hundreds of people a day, and we all get together and visit,” he said. “It’s a very welcoming, sort of family atmosphere.”

The growth of the championship is also bringing an economic benefit to Brandon, with competitors, trainers, owners, volunteers and spectators coming from across North America.

Kam said about 40 volunteers travel from different parts of North America to help stage the event.

He also pointed to one participant who generated about 300 hotel room nights between the participant, trainers and customers associated with the horses.

“All these people come from across North America and spend money in Brandon,” Kam said, adding that visitors also patronize local restaurants and other businesses during their stay.

The championship’s return to Brandon has also been welcomed by participants.

Anna Conway, who won the Half Arabian Western Ladies Side Saddle class aboard Gin J, said the victory was especially meaningful because it was the second consecutive year the pair had won the class.

She described Gin J as an “incredible horse” and said she was honoured to have the opportunity to ride and show him.

“It’s just an amazing opportunity to be able to sit on a horse like him,” Conway said.

Dennis Wigren, who travelled from a farm in Stanwood, Wash., near Seattle, also returned to Brandon and won the Half-Arab Open English Pleasure with R O L Lilyana.

Wigren said the national championship is special because competitors work hard for the titles, adding that Lilyana had also won the class with him last year.

The trip from Washington State is nearly 2,500 kilometres, but Wigren said the journey was worthwhile.

“They take very good care of us, and they make it fun, and we want to come compete,” he said.

Wigren encouraged Brandon residents who have never attended the championship to come out next year, walk through the barns and see the horses.

“They’re wonderful animals, and they love to have the crowd involved and cheering and clapping,” he said. “I think that it would be nice to fill the stands.”

Kinsey Hamilton, another patron who has attended the championship for years, said she has enjoyed returning since the show came back to Brandon last year.

Hamilton said the friendliness of the community is one of the reasons she enjoys the event.

“We love coming to the show, because the town is so friendly and inviting, and it’s just such a fun show to be at,” she said.

Hamilton described this year’s experience as “fabulous” and said she expects to return as often as possible.

While organizers are pleased with the championship’s growth, Kam said they want to build an even stronger connection with the Brandon community.

He said one goal for next year’s event is to make the show more entertaining and accessible to families who may not have extensive knowledge about horses.

The competition can currently run until 9 or 10 p.m., making it difficult to add programming, but Kam said the association is considering adjusting the schedule to create an entertainment-focused evening.

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