Carman’s Theresa Barylski and her star horse, Gator (Only Shy Rad), were recently crowned the Grand Champion again at the 2024 Canadian National Quarter Horse Show in Ponoka, Alberta.
The 2024 Canadian National Quarter Horse Show was held in Ponoka, Alberta, from Sept. 18 to 22. Five sanctioned AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) judges were in attendance, including one from Oklahoma, Ohio, Ontario and two from Colorado.
“Gator (Only Shy Rad) and I attended the show again this year, and we had a great time,” said Barylski. “So many beautiful horses. Each year that I attend, I always enjoy seeing how other horses are progressing and how the young stock is growing up. As a competitor and equine enthusiast, you are always looking at potential new bloodlines to cross with your own horses. My parents, Kelly and Ruby Stuart of K & R Stuart Quarter Horses in Eriksdale, still have a small band of mares, but they have kept them since they are semi-retired. I am always sending them pictures of potential horses and bloodlines that may do well within our herd.”
Standard Photo Submitted by Theresa Barylski
Carman’s Theresa Barylski and her star horse, Gator (Only Shy Rad), were recently crowned the Grand Champion at the 2024 Canadian National Quarter Horse Show in Ponoka, Alberta, which was held from Sept. 18 to 22. Pictured is Only Shy Rad, Theresa Barylski and Kim Baerg (President of the Quarter Horse Association of Alberta)
Gator had a great showing at Nationals again this year. He defended his unanimous title in the Pro and Non-Pro halter classes, which he also won last year.
“I didn’t realize until I looked at the official results that he was first again under every judge in both the Pro and Non-Pro halter classes. I couldn’t believe it. Two years in a row, it was unanimous in both the Pro and Non-Pro categories. He went on to be awarded Canadian National Supreme Halter Gelding.”
Barylski grew up on a horse ranch near Eriksdale. She moved to Carman in 2010 and has been in town ever since.
“Our farm specializes in purebred registered American Quarter Horses or AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) horses,” said Barylski. “This is the horse breed you see on most farms, in the movies and on shows like Yellowstone. AQHA headquarters is based out of Amarillo, Texas. My parents have been on the AQHA leading breeders list of Performance and Halter horses five times and have been the AQHA high point Canadian Breeder three times.”
Standard Photo Submitted by Theresa Barylski
Barylski and her star horse, Gator (Only Shy Rad), are on top of the world after completing a very successful season on the American Quarter Horse Show circuit
Gator, “Only Shy Rad,” is a seven-year-old horse that shows and competes at AQHA-sanctioned shows. This means the breed sanctions the judges, and the achievements or points earned at these shows go on Gator’s permanent pedigree or registration record. Gator is his stable name, and Only Shy Rad is his registered name.
This season, Barylski also attended the Arizona Quarter Horse Pinnacle Show at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas in May and ranked in the top five at the event.
“That was our first show in the United States. It was an amazing experience as Gator held his own against some of the best in the States. When I saw Gator’s name and mine up on that Pro placing listing in the top five, I cried. From a small town in Manitoba, we are doing it.”
They also attended a show in Monroe, Washington. Gator was once again the Champion in the Pro and Non-Pro Halter classes under six judges this time, so the pair have had a tremendous season.
Gator is enjoying some much-deserved time off just being a horse, including eating and sleeping. He will start back into training shortly, as they are planning the first show of the 2025 season to be the Arizona Sun Circuit in Scottsdale in March. They will also attend the Arizona Pinnacle circuit in Las Vegas again in May 2025.
