Thanksgiving Classic ‘not just about winning’

The Manitoba Quarter Horse Association’s annual Thanksgiving Classic attracted riders and horses from across Canada and beyond for three days of top-level competition and camaraderie.

The show, which ended on Monday at the Assiniboine Credit Union Agricultural Centre, proved again to be a highlight of Manitoba’s fall equestrian calendar — a mix of fierce competition, family fun and a celebration of western riding tradition.

“It’s not just about winning,” show manager Sharon Forbes-Hanks told the Sun. “It’s about community — bringing horse people together to do what they love.”

Sanctioned by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Appaloosa Horse Club, the show featured a full roster of approved events, from halter and performance classes to crowd favourites like the 2D Share the Wealth Jackpots, costume classes and select sire futurity divisions, Forbes-Hanks said.

“It’s a full show for both quarter horses and appaloosas,” she said. “We’ve got about 70 horses and exhibitors from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta — and possibly even a few from the U.S. It’s a great turnout.”

Competitors were divided into open, amateur and youth divisions, each with multiple categories based on the horse’s age and sex — mares, geldings and stallions, she said. The halter classes, for instance, pit the top first- and second-place horses from each class against one another for grand and reserve titles under the scrutiny of judges Josh Tjosaas and Cyndi Robbins.

“We’ve got a full day of judging, and each of our judges selects their top placings,” Forbes-Hanks said. “It’s an exciting format that keeps the competition tight right to the end.”

One of the highlights of the show on Monday came from Kathleen Clarke of St. Claude, who captured the halter mare title with her three-year-old horse Kidz N Gunslingers.

“I’m overjoyed,” Clarke said. “She’ll get more points from the American Quarter Horse Association, plus we won high point today — and for the year — with the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association. It means the world because I’ve worked so hard, and my trainer, Scott McKenzie, has worked tremendously hard to get her where she is today.”

Clarke, who has been involved with horses for nearly four decades, said the victory was significant because of the level of competition.

“She’s only three, competing against both younger and older mares,” she said. “To come out on top is such a big accomplishment.”

Sandy Kirtsinger of Alberta bred Kidz N Gunslingers.

Another standout performance was Lisa Graham of Manitoba, whose two horses captured grand champion titles in both the amateur mares and open mares categories.

“I love the feats,” said Graham, smiling as she led her horse from the arena.

“I’ve been showing for over 30 years and still love every minute of it. I’ve only had one for a couple of years, and the other is just a year old — she also won the futurity under one judge. It’s really rewarding.”

Graham, a seasoned exhibitor, has built a long record of success in halter horse competitions.

“I just had a horse here a month ago that finished off a double superior,” she said. “That means over 100 points — it takes a while to get there.”

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