Theresa Barylski and her star horse, Gator (Only Shy Rad), were recently crowned the Grand Champion at the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show in Red Deer, Alberta.
Barylski grew up on a horse ranch near Eriksdale. She moved to Carman in 2010 and has been in town ever since. Her parents, Kelly and Ruby Stuart, own and operate K & R Stuart Quarter Horses.
“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.”
Gator “Only Shy Rad” is a six-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.
“I still cry when I think about it, as it was an amazing moment”
Gator is his stable name, and Only Shy Rad is his registered name. If anyone wanted to look up his pedigree or show record, they would have to use Only Shy Rad.
“The name is chosen from his bloodline,” said Barylski. “We try and use names of accomplished bloodlines in his name.”
Barylski is considered an amateur or non-pro as she doesn’t train outside horses. She rides her own horses that come from her parent’s operation.
Barylski has both a coach and trainer that help her and Gator perform at the highest level. Until this show season, the pair were under the guidance of Dale Barkman of Alidale Farms in Steinbach. Currently, they are under the guidance of Deserie Rieu Bitz of Bentley, Alberta.
At the end of August, Barylski and Gator recently competed at the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show in Red Deer, Alberta. It was a five-day show with five judges from the United States.
Gator was entered in the Open (pro) performance event, and he was the unanimous first-place choice from all five judges. He was then brought back for the Grand and Reserve event, and again, he was the unanimous Grand Champion under all five judges.
When it was all said and done, Gator won Grand Champion of the show under all five judges.
But it wasn’t over yet. At the show’s end, they called her back into the ring because any horse that went Grand Champion under any of the judges, can compete for the Canadian National Quarter Horse Superior Halter champion.
Gator “Only Shy Rad” was eventually crowned the champion of the entire show.
“I still cry when I think about it, as it was an amazing moment,” said Barylski. “It’s a moment you dream of. What was even better was my parents drove to Red Deer for the day, and they were there to see it all. I was so happy for them. They work hard, and I’m so proud of them, so I’m unbelievably happy to have shared that day with them.”
Gator was also named the Canadian National Show High Point Canadian Bred Horse.
“It’s a testament to my parents’ equine program. It was an unbelievable five days. Gator won every class he entered that day. I don’t know if that happens very often at the National Show, but I know I’ll never forget it.”
Barylski and Gator have travelled all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta for shows this season. Gator has also qualified for the World AQHA Show in November, which is to be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 2024 show season will start in March, with the first show in Scottsdale, Arizona, called the Sun Circuit. After that, they will participate in the Level 1 Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May.
Barylski is proud to represent and bring attention to the AQHA industry within Manitoba and nationally.
“We have great horses in Canada. You don’t have to go far to find them,” said Barylski. “It really takes a village to get a horse to this level. And I couldn’t have done any of this without my support group and loved ones.”
Standard photos by Tru Equine photography
