If Sunday was about anticipation and preparation, Monday was a day characterized by enjoyment of the show atmosphere and execution of competition strategy in pursuit of the roses. Trainers on the rail offered last minute advice to their amateurs, while others reviewed their game plan for classes. Opportunities for optimal caffeination for peak performance were readily available. Shortly before the first class at 7.30, members of the Brandon city council, including the mayor, were on hand to provide steaming coffee, platters of donuts, and a warm welcome to exhibitors at one of four stations around the grounds. Of those enjoying the warm weather and pleasant reception in Brandon while planning their "run for the roses," were Debbie and Dayton Canaday and their purebred Arabian gelding, Sshaq++.

Hailing from Hood Bay, Alaska, they live approximately 75 miles by air from Juneau, where they board Shaq. Debbie, a lifelong Arabian enthusiast, returned to the breed approximately two years ago when she purchased Shaq after a nearly 30 year hiatus from owning and showing horses. Purchased in California, Shaq made his way to Alaska with the Canadays by land and by sea; the most direct way to reach Juneau from Washington State is to take the Alaska State Ferry. On the ferry, all vehicles, including trailers, are parked below the main deck. The day that Shaq made his way to Alaska, the ferry experienced nearly 25' swells that forced crew to chain the trailer to the deck - Shaq still inside. He made it through the tumultuous journey unscathed to arrive in the much cooler climate of Alaska. Debbie undertook his training herself, flying to Juneau from Hood Bay twice a month to school Shaq in sport horse under saddle, hunter, and halter. Her daughter helped with the day to day chores of keeping Shaq in shape. With occasional guidance from Leah Kadush, Debbie prepared Shaq for the show ring.

One year after purchasing Shaq in 2010, Debbie prepared to take him to the "Hot To Trot" Region 17 show. Prior to the start of the show, Debbie and Shaq found themselves stranded in Ketchikan, AK due to high winds that prevented their ferry from completing the trip to British Columbia; they spent three days in Ketchikan with Shaq living in the trailer in a parking lot before they were able to resume their journey. During this time, Shaq served as an impromptu ambassador of the Arabian breed. Once at the show, Debbie and Shaq soon qualified for not only Regionals but also for Nationals. Remembering her dream of competing at the national level that she was unable to realize in her youth, Debbie decided to make the multiday ferry ride and drive to Nampa, ID and Sport Horse Nationals. Once there, Shaq outperformed expectations, winning four National Top Tens and one Reserve National Championship.

After making the trip home, Shaq and Debbie relaxed while she and her husband planned their next trip to a horse show. Points from competition were tallied, with Shaq earning enough in three shows to receive his Legion of Merit. After Shaq became ill in late spring, the Canadays decided to give him some time off to recuperate. Shaq rebounded in mid-summer, and the Canadays began thinking again about showing, this time with an emphasis on only halter to reduce strain on Shaq. With a playful spirit and enthusiasm for showing, Shaq and Debbie returned to the ring in preparation for Canadian Nationals. After a successful show, they decided to make the several day trek to Brandon. Biding their time, Debbie and Shaq are waiting for their chance to return to the halter and sport horse halter arenas in search of more roses to take back across the sea to Alaska. For them, being able to compete at the national level after trekking across land and sea and after Shaq's illness is reward in itself, the prizes additional "icing on the cake." Their opportunity to obtain that icing begins on Tuesday morning, as Debbie and Shaq make their Canadian Nationals debut in gelding halter.