Somebeachsomewhere has been selected as a posthumous recipient of the 2017 Horse of the Year Award, named in honour of the life and memory of Canadian show jumping legend Hickstead. The award, along with others, will be presented at the Equestrian Canada Convention in Ottawa, Ont. on April 7, 2018.

This prestigious award is given to high performance horses of the highest exception, and therefore is only awarded when warranted, and not necessarily on an annual basis. Up to 2017, there had been only four recipients: Hickstead, Northern Dancer, Big Ben and Fine Lady 5.

On May 25, 2005, a harness racing legend was born. Somebeachsomewhere (fondly known as “Beach”) has been described as “one of the greatest pacers to ever look through a bridle; his dominance transcends horse racing and places him among Canada’s elite athletes.”

The Standardbred stallion was sired by Mach Three, out of the Beach Towel mare Wheres The Beach and owned by the Somebeachsomewhere Syndicate, which included original owners, Schooner Stables of Truro, NS.

Beach stole the hearts of Canadians from coast-to-coast and inspired a new era of love and appreciation for harness racing in the country. In his freshman year, he had a perfect record of six wins in six starts and earned over $800,000.

All in all, Beach won 20 of his 21 starts, and his only loss, a neck defeat in the Meadowlands Pace, arguably became the best mile in history after he was forced to travel wide for much of the race. His career earnings exceeded $3.3 million and, at the time of his retirement in 2008, he held eight world records.

Upon retiring from racing, Beach had an equally prolific career as a sire, based at Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania. Beach became the first sire in harness racing to top $20 million in progeny earnings in a single season. In total, his offspring have earned more than $87 million.

Beach’s many accolades include CBC Nova Scotia Newsmaker of the Year, over 10 Horse of the Year awards, including two Canadian Horse of the Year titles and an induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Following a short battle with cancer, Somebeachsomewhere was humanely euthanized at Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Center in New Jersey on Jan. 14, 2018. He leaves behind an incredible legacy that forever changed the landscape of Canadian harness racing, and lives on through his offspring, who have earned more than $87 million and is among the richest horses ever to take to a racetrack.

Equestrian Canada is honoured to add Somebeachsomewhere to the list of Canada’s most iconic sport horses in history as a recipient of The Hickstead Trophy.

The following 2017 award recipients will be recognized for their equestrian-related achievements at the 2018 EC Awards Reception.

2017 EC NATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Gold Medal Award
Susan Grange

Lifetime Achievement Award
Susan Grange

Volunteer of the Year, Presented by Henry Equestrian
The Centaur Red Team

Equestrian of the Year - The Dr. George Jacobson Trophy
Selena O’Hanlon

Junior Equestrian of the Year - The Gillian Wilson Trophy, Presented by Asmar Equestrian
Tosca Holmes-Smith

Horse of the Year – The Hickstead Trophy
Somebeachsomewhere

Owner of the Year
John & Judy Rumble

Canadian Bred Horse of the Year
Foxwood High
Owner: John & Judy Rumble
Breeder: Hugh Graham

Canadian Breeder of the Year, Presented by John Deere
Karyne Lord

Equestrian Canada Health & Welfare Award
Dr. Mary Bell

Equestrian Canada Media Award – The Susan Jane Anstey Trophy
CBC Sports

(With files from Equestrian Canada)