In May of the year 2000, a handful of people witnessed the uncovering of a three hundred year old Canadian Secret.

May 21, 2000 - World class rider and trainer Wolfgang Winkler, trained by Kurt Albrecht at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, flew out from Germany to hold some clinics and train some horses at Fox Run Stables in Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, B.C.

May 22, 2000 - A Canadian Stallion and Mare arrived at Fox Run to participate in Training and to be assessed by Winkler; neither horse having had any formal training. In fact they were as green as grass.

May 25, 2000 - The third time the Canadians were to be ridden by Winkler, Dan Wilson, the Stallion´s owner (#5788 La Bute Watt Billy), Rebecca Smith, the Mare´s owner (#6148 Choiniere Zoulou Delice), and Equine Photographer Robin Duncan, were eager to see Winkler bring out the horses abilities and to capture them on film. Winkler was also to give his professional opinion on the Canadian breed.

There was the usual background chatter as the horses were groomed and tacked up. While Winkler discussed angles and lighting with the Photographer he also warmed up the horses.

The barn chatter ceased as Winkler began to work the first Canadian. The horse breathing and the clicking of the camera were the only audible sounds.

Another world lost in time was revealed, where horses cause your breath to catch in your throat and your heart to pound. A world where horses collect into pieces of art, extensions go beyond belief and side passing becomes steps in an immaculate dance.

After the spectacular sessions were over, and everyone caught their breath enough to be able to speak, Dan Wilson of Woodmont Farm asked Wolfgang Winkler "From what you have observed at Fox Run Stables over the past three days, what do you see or feel is the potential for this breed?"

Winkler´s response in quotes

"With their quiet and willing nature, comfortable back movement and motion in all three gaits, this breed would make an exceptional horse for recreation use."

"From what I have seen this breed has a very strong nature, by strong nature I mean the structure of the body build has good strong bone and hoof."

"In classical horsemanship, example Spanish Riding School, which means a more traditional dressage using all gaits, this horse should be able to accomplish an extreme amount of collection, which would allow them to perform maneuvers above the ground like the Levade, Courpete or Caprole."

"In fact these horses have a stronger build than any Lipizzaner or Andalusian that I have ever ridden."

Does this mean that we have had "Canadian War Horses" in our country for over 300 years and not recognized them as such?