December 10, 2004 – Toronto, Ontario – President, a Dutch Warmblood stallion by Kennedy, was named the Grand Champion Stallion at the Royal Horse Show held November 5-14, 2004, in Toronto, ON.

Bred in the Netherlands, President is a 1997 black Dutch Warmblood stallion standing 16hh. His sire, Kennedy, is by the world-renowned dressage stallion, Olympic Ferro, while his dam is by Candy Boy by Lucky Boy, denoting his show jumping heritage. Cara Whitham of Kars, ON, purchased President from Dutch horseman Jan Greve and imported him to Canada in 1999.

“When I first saw this horse, I was attracted to his spark and his personality,” recalled Whitham, the only judge in the world to currently hold her ‘O’ license in two disciplines, dressage and eventing, from the International Equestrian Federation. “I was impressed by his very active movement, he is naturally uphill. And with his quality bloodlines, I knew that he would be suitable for breeding for dressage and show jumping, not to mention what he might accomplish in his own competitive career.”

President stands at Avanwhit Stables in St. Catharines, ON, where he is trained by Whitham’s daughter and co-owner, Shara Pavan. He has spent his early competitive career showing in the hunter divisions on both the ‘A’ and Trillium circuits, earning several championship titles including the 2004 Trillium Championship Central West Zone in the Low Hunter Division. President has now begun his dressage training under Pavan, working under the guidance of Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell on a regular basis at her Oakcrest Stables in Stouffville, ON.

In 2004, President was approved as a Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA) stallion, after winning the stallion testing. His overall score of 81%, including 100% on his conformation, earned him sought-after ‘Elite’ status. At the CSHA/Open Breeders Show held during the Capital Classic Horse Show in Ottawa, ON, in July, President was named the Grand Champion, a tradition he continued in November at the 2004 Royal Horse Show, earning the title of CSHA Grand Champion Stallion.

“He is a kind gentleman, very well-mannered and easy to handle,” noted Pavan, a certified Level 2 English Riding Coach and Level 1 Western Riding Coach, who handles President in the line classes.

His offspring have also excelled on the line, winning numerous breeding classes. Prodigal Daughter, a 2001 mare, was the 2004 Champion – Central West Zone Trillium Hack Division, and 2004 Champion – Niagara Challenge Series Hack Division. Par Amour, born in 2003, was the CSHA Junior Colt/Gelding Reserve Champion at the 2004 Royal Horse Show. Pharaoh, born in 2003, was the Junior Reserve Champion at the Twinholm Open Breeders Show and placed fifth at the 2004 Royal Horse Show in the CSHA Yearling Colt/Gelding division. Phoenix, born in 2004, won the Weanling Division at the 2004 Twinholm Open Breeders Show while Prime Time, also born in 2004, was fourth in the Weanling Division at the 2004 Royal Horse Show.

The success that President has experienced in both the show ring and the breeding shed led the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to include President in their Musical Ride breeding program, with his first crop of foals expected in the spring of 2005. The three traits that the RCMP seeks in its breeding program are size, temperament and colour, with President meeting all three requirements.