2008 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Sale and Futurity
| Overall Futurity Winner Collects $6,067.28; Sale Topper Brings $8,500!
| | 12/17/2008 | | | Futurity Highlights
A Percheron gelding bred, owned and shown by equine ranchers Browns Percherons, Lyle & Kathy Brown of Lenore, Manitoba, was recently crowned the overall winner of the 2008 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Futurity. Ju-Ly Gritt earned a total $6,067.28 for the first place finish, from a total purse distribution of $23,020.00. The two-day competition was held November 23 & 24, 2008, in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Ju-Ly Gritt was was solid in the competition, scoring second overall in the halter and rail divisions, and third in the pattern division. The futurity is scored by a panel judging system.
This year`s judges were Mr. Richard Derrer from Angola, Indiana, Mr. Mark Sparrow from Colo, Iowa, and Mr. Chad Cole from Centre Hall, Pennsylvania.
The two-year old Percheron gelding earned a cheque worth $5097.28, plus an additional $970 in breeder awards for his owners Lyle & Kathy Brown. They are equine ranchers involved in the collection of PMU (Pregnant Mares` Urine), and carry on the Brown family tradition of breeding quality Percheron horses.
"Wow! This is a competition that will get your adrenalin going,” was Lyle Brown`s reaction following his futurity victory. "It`s definitely worth your time! NAERIC and the futurity committee need a big "pat on the back" for developing and promoting this competition for draft horse people."
Any draft horse breeder can become involved in the NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Futurity program by becoming a member. Foals bred by members are then sold through the futurity sale in Regina. All horses purchased through the sale are eligible to return in two years to compete for the total futurity purse. Thirty-five percent of the selling price of each foal goes back into the purse which will be paid out in their two-year-old year.
Seven two-year-olds made their way back to compete in this year`s event. The first division was the halter or line class. The Percherons sat atop of the leader board in this division, with Westbank Rusty, a Percheron gelding owned by Gordon Ruzicka and bred by brother John Ruzicka out in front, with Ju-Ly Gritt a close second, and Lone Oak 06 Betty right behind in third.
The next division was the pattern division, and once again, Westbank Rusty walked away with the first place ribbon, Bridgemans Spencer, a Belgian gelding owned and shown by Brenda Hunter, was second, with Ju-Ly Gritt a close third.
Strong showings in the individual pattern work demonstrated how well broke these young horses were. Lone Oak 06 Betty was strong in the rail division winning that class, but right on her tail was Ju-Ly Gritt. When the smoke cleared and the points were tallied, Ju-Ly Gritt emerged the overall winner.
The overall placings were given and cheque presentations made following the rail class during the Monday evening ranch horse rodeo performance in the main arena.
On Tuesday afternoon, following the conclusion of the futurity, the NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Sale was held in the main arena with a good number of spectators and buyers on hand. Only colts sold at this sale are able to compete as two-year-olds in the futurity.
Sale Highlights
Don Peacock of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, conducted the sale, with Bruce Roy of Cremona, Alberta, reading the pedigrees. The high selling foal of the sale was a Percheron filly, Rose Hill Omega consigned by Gordon & Shannon Ruzicka of Viking, Alberta, and sold to Bill Prins of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Zephrin LaRiviere for $8,500.
The high selling Belgian foal was Creek Side Titan owned by Tom Lane, Birtle, Manitoba, and was purchased by Rocky Bar Ranch, the DenBroks of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, for $7,100.
The top Clydesdale, Willow Way Izzy, was consigned by Wes Gordeyko of Ohanton, Alberta, and was sold to Rae Ann Lane of Birtle, Manitoba for $4,500.
There were 21 lots sold for an average of $3966.67 which brings the total purse to $36,760 in 2010. In 2009, the two-year-olds will come back to compete for a total purse worth $47,785.00, with 1st place prize money being $9557.00.
"With the excitement and enthusiasm of the buyers at this year`s foal sale, the future of the futurity looks very positive!” commented Brown, following the sale of colts. "It`s open to the world - come try it!" was his encouragement to those who have shown an interest in the futurity and its success.
The excitement in Regina continues to build year after year, as a heightened awareness of the draft horse industry comes to the forefront of the Canadian Western Agribition. With events such as the NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Futurity and Sale, the promotion of draft horses in Western Canada is proving to be stronger than ever!
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Photos by Brenda Hunter:
Top photo: Ju-ly Gritt, 2008 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Futurity Overall Winner, Collecting $6,067.28
Middle photo: Rose Hill Omega, 2008 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Sale Topper at $8,500.00
Bottom photo: Creekside Titan, 2008 NAERIC Draft Horse Classic Sale High Selling Belgian Colt at $7,100.00
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