Back-to-back Western Regional Driving Champion Phil Giesbrecht and veteran reinsman Kelly Hoerdt will represent the Western Region at the 2026 National Driving Championship (NDC) later this month at Clinton Raceway. Each will compete for the national title and the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship.
The pair earned their berths at the NDC through the 2026 Western Regional Driving Championship held at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino. Giesbrecht successfully defended his regional title while Hoerdt finished second, sending the two accomplished horsemen to Clinton, Ont.
For Giesbrecht, the Western Regional Driving Championship (WRDC) has quickly become familiar territory.
The Edmonton, Alta. driver has finished no worse than second in his past three WRDC appearances, capturing regional titles in 2024 and 2026 after finishing runner-up in 2022. He carried that momentum to a fifth-place finish in his National Driving Championship debut in 2024 and now returns looking to take the next step.
"I actually got there late, as per usual. I just made it in time for the red-carpet show," Giesbrecht laughed when recalling this year's Western Regional. "I just felt really well all day. I thought I had some good posts early in the day and that in the middle of the card I could be more aggressive. It's a lot of fun competing in the driving championships. I enjoy the pressure and being under the microscope."
Having previously competed at Clinton Raceway while based in Ontario, Giesbrecht is eager to return to one of the country's best known half-mile tracks.
"Super pumped. I've been watching a little bit when they're racing on Sundays. It'll be a fun atmosphere, seeing old faces and new faces. Clinton is a nice little, tight track. It's going to be a lot of fun."
A National Driving Championship victory would earn Giesbrecht his first national title and the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Driving Championship.
"No words, really. Dream come true," Giesbrecht said of the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Driving Championship. "I dreamt about this stuff while looking through old TROT magazines with all those guys wearing those colours. Sitting there with my grandpa, I said to him, 'I think I could do this.' To have that become reality brings tears to my eyes. To represent Canada in Canada would be ... yeah, no words."
Giesbrecht guides Trust Me Alot to victory in the 2026 Western Regional Driving Championship at Century Downs.
Hoerdt arrives in Clinton with decades of experience and another opportunity to add one of the few accomplishments missing from an outstanding career.
Now in his fifth decade in the race bike, Hoerdt returns to the National Driving Championship for the first time since finishing third in 2018. With more than 3,000 career victories, he remains one of Western Canada's most accomplished drivers and is still seeking his first National Driving Championship title.
Unlike Giesbrecht, Clinton Raceway will provide Hoerdt with a new experience.
"It was a great time had by all, and a perfect day for it," Hoerdt said of the 2026 Western Regional Driving Championship. "I'm excited to race at Clinton Raceway for the first time."
For Hoerdt, the pursuit of a National Driving Championship remains as meaningful today as ever.
"Driving in these events is special to me because I really appreciate getting to meet people from across the country and drive alongside some of the best drivers anywhere," said Hoerdt. "If I were to win the National Driving Championship, I would wear our colours proudly. To be able to drive for our country, in our country, would be a great experience."
A victory would also carry historical significance for the Western Region.
Only one Western representative has won the National Driving Championship, with Brandon Campbell capturing the title in 2016. Either Giesbrecht or Hoerdt could become just the second Western representative to win Canada's driving crown while earning the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship on home soil.
Together, Giesbrecht and Hoerdt will carry the pride of the Western Region into the National Driving Championship on Sunday, July 26 at Clinton Raceway.
Hoerdt guides No Free Tricks to victory in the 2026 Western Regional Driving Championship.
Joining Giesbrecht and Hoerdt in Clinton will be Ontario representatives Tyler Borth and Jody Jamieson, Atlantic representatives Marc Campbell and Keith Legge, and Quebec / Eastern Ontario representatives Nick Boyd and Stéphane Brosseau.
The eight drivers will compete over eight races, with the champion earning the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship.
(Standardbred Canada Press Release)