2016 Calgary Stampede - Winner of the World Championship Six Horse Hitch Competition

2016 World Champion Six Horse Hitch
Photo:  Show Champions

Today was the final day of the Heavy Horse Show at the 2016 Calgary Stampede.  Brian and Colleen Coleman of Eaglesfield Percherons presented the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch of Cheyenne, Wyoming.  The Eaglesfield Percheron crew brings the Messenger hitch first place wins in Percheron Team, Percheron Unicorn, Four and Six Horse Hitch, and the World Championship Six Horse Hitch Championship.  This year was Coleman's seventh World Championship win. 

Click Photo Above ~ Stampede Blog, Madeline Babinec

We thank the crew for all their efforts, and the Messenger family for entrusting us with their talented and hard working Percherons as the 2016 show season launches in Canada.

2016 Championship Buckle

Last year, the Calgary Stampede interviewed Brian for their blog as to what it takes to prepare a hitch for competition.  That interview can be read by clicking the working horses below.

Getting Work Done While Working Together
Photo:  J Ann Brodland

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Calgary Stampede 2015 Six Horse Hitch World Champions!

Six-Time Calgary Stampede 

World Champion Teamster of the Six-Horse Hitch,
Brian Coleman of Eaglesfield Percherons,

on the box for the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch

New Edibles for the 2015 Calgary Stampede

Yet another reason to look forward to Stampede Days. . . . Thank you Stampede Blog for giving us the heads up on the smorgasbord of delicacies -- and those of possibly avoidable interest!!  Click on the luscious Mini Donut Pops for more details on these frozen delectable edibles and the other 27 . . .

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Equine Chronicle: Extreme Horsepower at Calgary Stampede Results in Drive Off for World Championship Title

Thank you, The Equine Chronicle (Ocala, Florida) for Your Coverage of the

Calgary Stampede World Champion Six Horse Hitch Competition.  

(Click Photo to View)

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Ricki has no qualms about the size of her youth showmanship gelding, Champ.  

She has an adorable combination of determination and cuteness, 

and has a great coach in Brian Coleman.
Eaglesfield Percherons hosts youth training in showing draft horses in Didsbury, Alberta.

"I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!"

Future female draft horse handler / driver in the making!

Champ warms the hearts of all who observe him taking care of his pint-sized handler . . .

. . . since his handler weighs about as much as his four shoes!

Sweet Percherons -- that is why we love them so.

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We are so proud of the youth that represented us at our first three shows:
Congratulations to

Jack Thiel, Ricki Thiel, Rein Roy and Taylor Coleman.

Photo Credits:  J. Ann Brodland

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Horse Breed 101 - The Belgian ~ Colleen Coleman & Marjorie

Horse Breed 101 - The Percheron ~ Colleen Coleman & Bud

2014 World Champion Six Horse Hitch - Calgary Stampede

Lights!   Camera!   Action!

There were 12 hitches competing this year at the 

Calgary Stampede World Championship Six-Horse Hitch Class.

Click on the lamp above to view the Stampede's short video highlighting all the competitors!

The faces of the teamsters reflect the intensity of the moment . . while on the move . . .

and in the line up before Judges Chad Cole, Gary Nebergall and Jerry Wismer.

We appreciate the enthusiasm of the many people who were spectators at this year's competition.

We were very happy to see new competitors in the Heavy Horse Show from

Canada and across the United States competing in the
North American Six Horse Hitch Classic Series competition.
A huge thank you to the Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Show staff
who made sure the show went on with the greatest of ease, and
finally, thank you, Bruce Roy!  You were as entertaining as always.

Our thanks to the Thiels for entrusting their beautiful horses they placed in our care and training program,
our 24/7 Eaglesfield staff members, Joe Dolan, Photographer J. Ann Brodland, and Stephanie Gray,
along with the Eaglesfield volunteers who helped make the show what it was.

And finally, a hearty thank you to all the members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Their symphonic cadence along with the stomp and jingle of harness 

brought even more excitement to the Saddledome 

on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.

Photo Credits:  J. Ann Brodland

Standing With Pride . . . and Honor

What a surprise it was today to see friends at the Stampede all the way from the State of Georgia.

April and Sean stand with hitch leader, Pride, after his win in the Unicorn class.  

We may be proud of Pride; however, we are so proud of Sean

and are thankful for his brave and honorable duty with the US Army as he and his new
bride, April, visit with us on this 4th of July.

Sean prepares for deployment in the upcoming weeks and

our thoughts and prayers are with you both.

We are so glad you spent some time with us today 

and hope you enjoy the rest of your visit at the Stampede.

Click on Pride, above, to see some of the sights here at the
2014 Heavy Horse Show at the Calgary Stampede.

Photo Credits:  J. Ann Brodland

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Calgary Stampede (Friday July 4, 2014)

The look on Jack's face tells us he's smitten with the Percherons and THAT is what it's all about.

We are so proud of his placing at The Calgary Stampede -- his second show ever!

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Meanwhile, the Thiel Percheron geldings won the Unicorn this afternoon 

and also the Percheron 4-Horse this evening.  

.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠·˙.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.

And finally, Team Randi & Pride . . . 

Successfully took the honors of winning Ladies Cart.

Photo Credit:  J. Ann Brodland

.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠·˙.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.

"Pulling Together"

"Pulling Together"

Artist:  Adeline Halvorson

Model:  Lady (Belgian)

This beautiful 2014 Calgary Stampede poster celebrates the heavy working horses that have shaped the history of the wild west for centuries.  Adeline Halvorson's rendition of sweet Belgian mare, Lady, honors the grace, nobility and striking beauty of these gentle giants whose role in the Calgary Stampede is deeply ingrained into the fabric of its organization.

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Team Eaglesfield has "pulled together" and are ready to show Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  

If you are here at the Stampede this weekend, we would love to meet you.

Come visit the horses and see them in action!

For More Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Competition Information, Click HERE.