THE CANADIAN SPECTACULAR

TRIUMPHANT RETURN

The Canadian Spectacular committee worked through tricky times to ensure a quality aged cutting event was once again, hosted in Canada and paid out over $177,000 to competitors.

BY JENN WEBSTER PHOTOS BY KRYSTINA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Third annual MTe logisTix

Canadian Spectacular returned this past September 21-26, 2021, to Silverslate Arena near Nanton, AB. The cutting horse limited aged event had its challenges in making its comeback this year, but with an increased payout and a boatload of happy contestants, the 2021 edition of the show was a triumphant success.

Show organizer Connie Cicoria of Calgary, AB, relays that considering the very strict regulations they were put under this year, it was amazing how well the event did. Challenges included finding double-vaccinated judges and requiring contestants to show proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 tests, prior to exiting their vehicles and entering the facility. The show committee worked diligently prior to the event and during the event dates to keep people showing and having fun, keep cutting alive in Canada in 2021 and offer a place for limited aged horses to show.

It was not without personal sacrifice, however. After realizing how difficult it would be to find appropriate judges, Cicoria had to ask her own trainer to card the aged event portion of the show. That meant her own family’s horses would not be allowed to compete.

“We told everyone, the show must go on!” says Cicoria. “So that’s what we did.”

In addition to the aged classes, the Canadian Spectacular show committee made the decision to host a weekend event this year as well. The weekend classes were National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), Alberta Cutting Horse Association (ACHA) and Canadian Cutting Horse Association (CCHA) approved. There were two shows hosted over two days that offered lower entry fees and jackpot classes – and aggregate coolers sponsored by Robin Hay, were provided to all the champions. All in all, the 2021 show was a victory, at a time when producing a western performance event wasn’t easy.

The following are our interviews with some of the show’s biggest winners.

OPEN FUTURITY CHAMPIONS Johnny Lukacs & Reybelious

The Open Futurity, sponsored by the Lorrnel Group saw Johnny Lukacs of Olds, AB, ride Reybelious to the win. Sired by Metallic Rebel and out of What the Hal, this little mare better known as “Lilly” has had a great year.

“I bought her from Charlotte Christensen as a long yearling,” says Lukacs. “I started her in January of her two-year-old year and she was a little firecracker at the beginning – she liked to run off! She has always been a pleaser, nice to be around, always waiting at the gate to be caught, even after she had a bad day.”

Lukacs said he had feeling the mare was special, still, he feels blessed considering how Lilly’s three-year-old year panned out.

“It was pretty incredible to pull off the win and then make finals in Calgary as well!” he says. “I’m fortunate to say I have competed in all of the first three years of the Canadian Spectacular – it has been an absolute asset to the cutting horse industry in Canada. I can’t say enough about Connie, Andy, Robin and anyone else who put in a whole lot of time and effort to make such a fantastic show!”

Lilly’s first showing was in Ponoka, AB, at the Black Elk Fall Classic however, she was star-struck under the bright lights at that event. But her first run at the Spectacular was solid, and the pair marked

Johnny Lukacs and Reybellious

a 146 to tie for second in the go-round.

“The second run was more of the same, only she had to do most of it on her own because I was very nervous. I’ll never forget Brad Pedersen telling me I could breathe after the buzzer!” he laughs.

The duo marked a 146 again, for another second in the go-round and tied for first overall in the aggregate. Lukacs relays that it was a very special run for him, as it was the first finals he’s ever made in his career.

“We tied for first in the limited as well ,with my good friend Tyler Darroch. The futurity is the class that everyone wants to do well in – it’s a real testament of horsemanship and horse power,” Lukacs states.

“For our finals run, we drew up fourth and Doug Reinhardt just kept telling me to go with my gut. So I did, and we cut all three cows that we liked and the mare was very accurate and never missed a beat. After the buzzer I couldn’t believe it when the score came in – I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh! It was definitely one of the most memorable days in my career this far!”

The trainer credits his sister Julianna for loping the mare for him.

“My sisters Julianna and Teresa always do such a great job getting horses ready. I can’t thank them enough for all their help. I think the most memorable part was of course winning the Futurity, but making the finals in all three events (the Futurity, Derby and Classic), was really special. I’ve been very fortunate to throw a leg over some very nice horses, and it sure feels good when all the hard work pays off! I have to thank my help Doug Reinhardt and Brad Pedersen for always getting me out, Tyler Darroch, Loren Christianson and Glen Beveridge for turning me around up top. Couldn’t do it without those guys! My parents and family – especially my dad for always supporting me and pushing me. My beautiful wife Isabel for being my rock and always keeping me focused. And thanks be to God for all the opportunities He has given me in this life!”

Lukacs and Reybellious made a score of 150 in the finals and won $9,580 for the championship. Larissa Price and High Yall

NON-PRO FUTURITY CHAMPIONS Larissa Price &. High Yall

The Spectacular was the second major event that Larissa Price of Langley, BC, rode her mare High Yall in, in 2021. Sired by Pegasus and out of CD Yall Love Lucy, the gray mare is lovingly referred to as “Meg.”

“We were still getting our sea legs (or show legs) if you will,” Price chuckles. “The first run was a little rocky but we figured out how to show, going forward. So the next run was far better and placed us in the finals. I drew up last, which isn’t the most ideal spot, but I have always liked to be last. You have nothing to lose, and you can lay it all out there!”

Meg was purchased in November 2020 from friend, Deborah Anderson. Initially, Price had snapped the mare’s sales photos when Anderson put her up for sale.

“Little did I know that I would take that little gray mare home with me!

“Meg is the sweetest mare I have ever been around. She always has her ears up when you come in the barn and always has her nose on the door when you walk by. She is incredibly smart and willing to learn when training her. She had a big stop and she always wants to please. She is a fabulous model for my small business as she sported my loping hackamores because she is photogenic and good to deal with.”

This was Price’s first time contending at the Spectacular.

“The show must go on – and the Canadian Spectacular did just that! It was our second major event this year and honestly, it was a blast. Connie and everyone behind the show did such a fabulous job at getting it produced. Especially after the new restrictions were placed right before. So thank-you to the shot, Silver Slate arena and the Santangelo family!” she exclaims.

The pair marked a 147 in the finals to win a paycheque worth $2,444.

“I want to thank my show help. Glen Beveridge, Brad Pedersen, Johnny Lukacs and Tyler Darroch. Thank you!” she says.

“The finals in both the open and nonpro classes are always the thing to watch. There were so many great horses at this aged event that made the finals! You couldn’t help but watch, yipp and cheer for all the finalists.”

OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONS. –Glen Beveridge & Louella Rey (Owned by Amanda Weber)

barn name “Lilly.” Louella Rey, sired by Dual Rey and out of Louellas Cat won the Open Derby with trainer Glen Beverage aboard. Beverage, who hails from Valleyview, AB, first rode the horse at the 2020 NCHA Futurity.

“Jesse Lennox trained her and I got to catch ride her at the Futurity for Rocking P Ranch,” Beverage explains. “This spring we had the opportunity to buy Louella Rey from Rocking P and I had some good clients/friends Amanda Weber and Travis Antoine buy her for me. We got her home and the first show up here was the Black Elk spring show, where she won both go-rounds.”

At the Spectacular, the duo scored a 148 in the finals for a payday worth $6,364.

“The Spectacular was run very well and made for a great show. Big thanks to Connie and Andy Cicoria for putting the show on! I would also like to thank my help that makes it all possible. This includes my wife Danielle for all the hard work, looking after the horses and me,” he laughs.

“Also, Jaiden Larson for loping and having the horses feeling 100%. Tyler Darroch, Matt Anderson, Doug Reinhart and Johnny Lukacs for helping in the show pen. And thanks to all my clients who send us up and down the road.”

NON-PRO DERBY CHAMPIONS – Pauli Smith & Blu Lilies

Like many horses, Covid affected Blu Lilies’ futurity year. She was originally purchased as a two-year-old in late 2019 from Tatum Rice in Weatherford, TX, by owner Pauli Smith of Eckville, AB. Along with trainer Doug Reinhardt, Smith had gone down at Futurity time, horse shopping. That’s when Reinhardt’s daughter, Emma, spotted a little mare outside of the sale

“Her cowiness, personality and electric look stood out from the beginning,” Smith relays.

Sired by Once In A Blu Boon and out of Smart Alice Louise, the now four-year-old mare is better known as “Olivia.” Even with the uncertainties of last year, Olivia was able to secure the Open Futurity Co-Championship with Reinhardt in the stirrups at the 2020 Canadian Spectacular. From there, it’s been nothing but upwards for Olivia.

“In her four-year-old year, she continued to get stronger and more solid. The plan was made for both Doug and I to show her at the Spectacular. I was fortunate to have good cows in both my first two goes, I just tried to ride smart and let her do her job!” Smith admits.

“It worked and I made finals, where again, she came out strong and solid and we marked 147 to win the Champion spot! She is so cowy and showy, I just have to make sure to do my part. My help; Doug Reinhardt, Gerry Hansma, Dustin Gonnett and Loren Christianson are a big part of it and I thank them.”

Smith echoes other competitor’s sentiments when referring to the Spectacular show and its producers. “The committee pulled off a fantastic and a well organized show, despite only three days ahead having to incorporate the new

Glen Beveridge and Louella Rey

Pauli Smith and Blu Lilies

Alberta Health Services restrictions!” she states.

“It was a tremendous group effort and we, as cutters, are so appreciative of the work that went into pulling this show off. The Spectacular has become a premier event in Canada, replacing the Canadian Supreme that no longer exists.”

Olivia went on, later in 2021, to win the Co-Championship of the Open Derby at the Wrangler Futurity held in Calgary, AB, in October with Doug Reinhardt in the saddle.

“I would like to thank Doug – who works so hard and trains a great horse – and also Emma, Kim Krebs and Ty at Corvet. All of whom have a huge part in my success!”

OPEN CLASSIC CHAMPIONS – Brad Pedersen & Faith In My Metal (owned by Ryan Richels)

Faith In My Metal was originally shown in the NCHA Futurity in the amateur division and made the finals. She was not shown again as a four-yearold and was later purchased by Ryan Richels of Thorsby, AB, in the spring of 2021. Shown by trainer Brad Pedersen of Lacombe, AB, the mare secured the championship of the Open Classic at the Spectacular with a score of 148 in the finals. Their efforts rewarded them with $6,094.

“It was a great show and Connie Cicoria and her team did an excellent job, with dealing with the last minute Covid restrictions. I really appreciate all the effort show producers have made, to make it possible for us to show,” relays Pedersen.

Faith In My Metal is sired by Metallic Cat, out of a Smart Mate mare. She is known as “Ruby” in the barn.

“Ruby was really consistent in both the go-rounds,” says Pedersen. “She is very gritty and cow smart. The cattle were really tough that evening and I had a decent draw, so I was lucky to get some decent cattle cut.”

NON-PRO CLASSIC CHAMPIONS – Thomas Thorlakson & Lou Rey

County, AB, knew they needed a great run to make a win.

“The first two runs, I didn’t try to do anything crazy. Just two clean runs,” he says. “Then in the finals I was last out. I knew I needed a great run to win and was just lucky enough to pick some exciting cows that really showed Lou well.”

Sired by Dual Rey and out of Louellas Cat, Lou Rey is a full sibling to Louella Rey (champion of the Open Derby at the Spectacular). She too, was purchased from the Rocking P Ranch (Owned by Bobby Patton and trainer, Jesse Lennox.)

“I had a blast at the Spectacular,” Thorlakson says. “It was the first time I’d shown in a true aged event format. It was a lot of fun to be in the finals with the music and big entrance presentations and everything.

“Lou is just an incredible athlete and it’s a treat to be able to ride such a nice horse.”

Brad Pedersen and Faith In My Metal

Thomas Thorlakson and Lou Rey

Congratulations to the 2021 RAPP winners!

REINING ALBERTA PERFORMANCE PROGRAM “RAPP”

RAPP is a local breeding program designed to enhance the existing Reining Alberta Sire Incentive Program. The goal is to increase participation and purses. The program was expanded to allow any foal to be nominated to the program. Foals sired by enrolled stallions will be eligible for nomination into the program at significantly reduced rates. The goal is to continue to promote the local stallions and have a program that will also benefit local breeders who choose to breed to other stallions.

3 yr Old Futurity - L4 Open Champion A CHICS WHIZ SPECIAL Shown by Austin Seelhof • Owned by Outrider Ranch

3 yr Old Futurity - L1 Open Champion EINSTEINS PEACH

Shown by Sage Sapergia • Owned by Ray Landry

3 yr Old Futurity - L4 Non Pro Champion NIFTY ELECTRIC

Shown & Owned by Susan Strelioff

4 YR OLD DERBY L4 Open Champion L1 Open Champion L4 Non Pro Champion SHINED OUT SPOOK Shown & Owned by Lane Kiryk

5/6/7 Yr old Derby - L4 Open Champion ONE GUN REMINGTON Shown by Shawna Sapergia • Owned by Phil Heidebrecht

5/6/7 Yr old Derby L1 Open Champion LIL GLAMOUR GUN Shown by Sage Sapergia Owned by Nancy Dibben

5/6/7 Yr old Derby - L4 Non Pro Champion CHIC NITES R SPECIAL • MAGNUM CHICKDRAW

Shown & Owned by Shonda Day • Shown & Owned by Holly Kowblick

You must be a current Reining Alberta Member to nominate your foal. Nomination forms are available at www.reiningalberta.net and are due by November 30, 2021

ALLTHATSHINES IS JOE Shauna Getz/Whitby Farms BERRY FINNOMENAL Nicole Klassen BUSY BLEACHIN CHEX D. Hanson Ranch CHICS IN THE MALE Lynne Hoff CRUSIN WHIZ Trueman Farms (Tammy Stewart) DUNITSMART THISTIME D. Hanson Ranch EINSTEINS CASHNCHEX Ronja Schippers ELECTRIC SNOW Equine Plus/Andre De Bellefeuille

RAPP 2021 Sires:

GIBSONS FINEST Foothills Ranch GUNNING FOR CHEX Bonnie McCutcheon, Manager HESA HOT GUNNER Hollasch Quarter Horses JOS NEXT TOP GEM Karlie McKeand JU JUZZ GUNSLINGER Ranae Widney LIL JOE CASH Gaylene Sawchuk - agent LOKOTA CHIC Brian Knutson/Bar K2 Ranch MAJOR DURANGO S. Gail & Robert Gatto - Jr. Stallion

MAMBOS WHIZ Ken & Peggy Johnson NORTH SAIL SOLITAIRE M. Whitmarsh/Willow Acres QH PS MEGA SHINE CHIC Adh Mor - Big Luck Ranch SHINERS LENA DUST Ken & Peggy Johnson SHINEY GOLDEN GUN Brian & Vicki Braun SMOKIN AMMO Foothills Ranch SPECIAL MADE WHISKEY Gord Robinson (Big Rock Arena) SPOOKS BIG BANG Brian & Giselle Aebly

SQUEAK GUN Shauna Getz/Whitby Farms SUGAR CAT MAN CD Quarter Horses TEXAS TINSELTOWN Locke & Deb Duce WHIZ N STARLIGHT Clay Webster Perf. Horses WIMPYS NU CHEX Doug Baker

Enrollment Fees: Stallion fee $500/stallion/year Deadline for stallion nomination is May 15, 2022 After May 15, 2022 late fees apply: Stallion enrolment fee $750/yr