Press Releases

Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale is a Industry leader using Internet bidding resulting in High seller of $41,000 

On June 23rd and 24th, 2007, Alberta once again held The Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale.   This was the forth year for this auction and was met with great success.  Buyers were presented with many perks:  a leather portfolio, a new leather halter and a professional photo of their new purchase and a warm and friendly atmosphere in which to watch and shop for their new horses.

 The organizers decided to offer the horses live on the Internet this year, buyers could bid on the horse’s in real time on the internet (they could see the horses live as they bid).  This bold new move resulted in the sale’s high seller lot # 38 Waubach a fantastic four-year-old KWPN gelding bred by Rudy & Wieka Dykstra, who sold for a $41,000.00.  This gelding is going to a great dressage home in British Columbia.  The Internet concept is new to the warmbloods but with over 20 registered bidders and over 65% of the horses were actively bid on, sale organizers plan to use this concept again for 2008.

 Now in its forth year, the Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale is already expanding it format. The venue of the Western Park in Red Deer, Alberta went through some dramatic changes for the 2007 sale.  Brand new stabling, a covered sand ring and two additional sand rings made this an exceptional venue for a sale. Red Deer, Alberta is more central and accessible for buyers coming from airports in either Calgary or Edmonton.  This first-rate facility can accommodate the expansions and improvements the organizing committee envisions.  The community can support a large number of visitors as there are numerous restaurants and hotels located seconds from the Westerner doors.

 2007 results were very positive, 45 horses were offered and 29 horses sold.  The high selling under saddle horse was $41,000 and the high selling 2 year old was Lot #44 Evander an Eastern Ruler gelding bred by Excell Warmbloods who went for $11,000 is going to a new home in Alberta.  Gross sales were $270,800.00.  With 6 horses finding new homes south of the border, Washington, Florida, California and Idaho. 

The word is now out and expectations are for stronger attendance than ever for the sale in 2007.  It will be interesting to see where these horses – warmbloods from western Canada with European pedigrees - will find their new homes. 

 More information on the Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale can be found at www.WarmbloodAuction.com

 

April 4, 2005  
Contact:  Jessie Christie
For Immediate Release
Media Relations, Equine Canada
Tel:(613) 248-3433 ext. 133
Email: jchristie@equinecanada.ca

Second Annual Sale Showcases Canadian Warmblood Breeding

 

Ottawa, Ontario – The Breeds and Industry Division of Equine Canada is pleased to announce the second annual Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale, to take place in Okotoks, AB, on July 3rd and 4th, 2005.  

The consigned horses for the sale are registered warmbloods between the ages of two and 10. Each horse has passed two stages of assessment, judged on conformational correctness, performance suitability and soundness. 

“It’s important to present a sale experience that is convenient for the buyer.  The Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale is just minutes from Spruce Meadows and held during the days between Canada One and North American. That means folks can join the sale as a part of their vacation plans, or as a quick inclusion to their competition schedule,” said Gary Bredin, President of the sale. “Featuring the finest performance age horses with some of the strongest warmblood pedigrees available in western Canada will ensure we have the buyer’s interest.  A professionally run sale with a friendly atmosphere will keep them coming back.” 

The traditional-style auction sale will offer potential buyers tryouts and demonstrations both under saddle and over fences. 

“The breeders of western Canada’s Warmblood horses have a depth and breadth to their programs in both quality and numbers. Organized sales give them an opportunity to showcase a select few of these horses,” said Barbara Daley, National Marketing Chair for The Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association. “Over time this will strengthen the marketing opportunities for all well bred warmblood horses in Canada, as buyers will have both the desire and the confidence to seek these quality horses out.” 

Last year’s sale was a success, and brought a wide range of bidders, including residents of Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho and the Yukon. Marion O’Connor of Cocolalla Creek Sport Horses in Careywood, ID, was among the bidders in 2004, and returned home with four new additions to her stable. 

“I enjoyed the sale immensely. The selection of sale horses was good, and loved the fact that the x-rays were there on file and the staff was able to help us in every way possible,” noted O’Connor. “The Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale has a bright future, as the auction format they run is honest and this is the right approach to make a success of this sale.”

 

For more information please visit www.WarmbloodAuction.com.

  

 

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March 1, 2005 
Contact: Julie Cull
Media Relations, Equine Canada
For Immediate Release
Tel: (613) 248-3433 Ext. 133
Email: jcull@equestrian.ca

                                                  

Six Warmblood Horse Sales Planned Across Canada in 2005

 Ottawa, Ontario---The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada is pleased to announce that six warmblood horse sales will be taking place across Canada this year. With many individuals taking advantage of the opportunity to do their horse shopping at one location, organized warmblood sales are flourishing in Canada.  

"I think Canada has the opportunity to become another warmblood horse auction Mecca along the lines of a country like Germany,” noted Breeds & Industry Division Council member, Chris Gould. “We have demonstrated expertise in presenting well run European style sales with high quality horses, but most importantly our breeders understand the economics of the business and are prepared to sell at reasonable prices." 

Each auction will offer professional, one stop shopping to the buyer looking to purchase some of the best horses bred in Canada.  The sale locations include:

·         Mohawk Equestrian Centre

May 14th & 15th

Quebec

www.MohawkRoyal.com

·         Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale

July 3rd & 4th

Okotoks, Alberta

www.WarmbloodAuction.com

 

·         Canadian Warmblood Showcase & Private Treaty Sale

September 3rd to 5th

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

 

·         Canadian Warmblood Online Foal Auction

September 7th to 24th

www.CanadianWarmbloods.com

 

·         Canada’s Elite Warmblood Sale

September 29th to October 2nd

London, Ontario

www.EliteWarmbloodSale.com

 

·         Fall Classic Breeders Sale

Thanksgiving Weekend

Olds, Alberta

www.CanadianWarmbloods.com

 

For additional information on participating in a sale, please visit the sale website or www.canadianwarmbloods.com.

 

 

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For Immediate Release - July 15, 2004

The inaugural Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale, which was held on July 5th & 6th in Okotoks, Alberta was a great success.  Consignors from Western Canada entered young, performance quality, registered warmblood horses, which were versed in the training basics.

The sale, which offered tryouts and demonstrations both under saddle and jumping in the chute, culminated in a traditional auction sale on the Tuesday evening.  Both days were well attended by amateur riders, agents and professional trainers from all across North America, seeking out well-bred horses with suitable temperaments and natural talent and ability.  They were not disappointed.

Participants in the sale were honored to host a special contingent of guests who made their way over from Spruce Meadows on the Monday night.  Ian, Lynn and Jonathon Millar; Jill Henselwood; Nancy Southern and Jonathan Asselin; and many more showed their support for what will grow to become one of Canada’s key initiatives in showcasing quality horses, bred for their ability to perform in Olympic or related sports.

Congratulations are in order for the new owners of the highest selling 2-Year-Old Horse and highest selling Performance Horse:

                   
                   
                   Laurie Cunningham from Indio, California purchased
                         Vivaloma, a Dutch Warmblood filly bred by Ruudy &
                         Wieka Dykstra of Sylvan Lake, Ab.


                        

                         Shawn Brown from Calgary, Alberta purchased
                         Chyna, a 5 year old Canadian Warmblood mare
                         bred by Foxhaven Farms of Bluffton, Ab.

The congratulatory coolers were sponsored by Jane & Edward Jones, of New House Farms and Gary & Bernadette Bredin, of Bredin Warmbloods.

Other successful bidders included residents of Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho and Yukon.  All indicated that they were looking forward to coming out to the sale again in 2005.

Watch for updates and plans for the 2005 sale at:

 www.warmbloodauction.com.

 

For Immediate Release – April 13, 2004

The first Alberta Invitational Warmblood Sale is set to take place on July 5th and 6th in Okotoks, Alberta, and will offer approximately 40 registered horses between the ages of 2 to 10. The location and timing were selected based on the number of trainers that will be in the Calgary area and the evening sale will not interfere with show schedules.

The annual auction for performance prospects has been initiated by a group of Canadian breeders with a common goal. Members of the organizing committee combined forces to market warmbloods they hope will please buyers and garner repeat customers.

Markus Wuethrich from Sigma Warmbloods says, “Longevity and being dependable are the most important things, so we intend to gain the trust of buyers by putting on a sale that is professionally done and offers good stock. We all want to present a decent product because quality sells, and we’re looking forward to the first and future sales. That is the right thing to do.”

The need for such a sale was obvious according to consignor Jane Jones. “More horses are nominated for the Canadian Warmblood Sale in the fall than there are slots, which means there are several breeders looking for markets for their products.” Roxy Bell of D&R Ranching adds, “We are producing 10 to 20 foals a year on our farm, so it is good to have options for marketing our horses. We hope to offer going horses in which the buyer can have confidence. Temperament, conformation and pedigree are of prime importance in our breeding program, and we are producing quality horses suited to a variety of athletic endeavors.”

Barbara Daley, Director of Marketing & Communications for AIWS, is confident the sale “will attract buyers from across North America, seeking out premium quality performance horses suitable for Olympic or related sports, for use by both amateur and professional riders.”

Further information and catalogues are available by contacting Jennifer at (780) 696-2506 or visiting www.warmbloodauction.com.

Media Contact – Judy Wardrope (780) 352-3077 or jwequine@telusplanet.net