OEF CONNECTS AT 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The 2009 Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) Annual Conference, Get Connected, was a tremendous success! Over 300 horse-people from across the province attended the Conference at the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre in Mississauga over the weekend of November 27-29, 2009. A satisfied delegate declared, “Speakers were excellent. I particularly enjoyed the woman's health session and the conformation sessions.” Another stated, “The sessions I attended were very informative and hopefully I can attend next year to further my equine education.”
The OEF Annual General Meeting was held on Friday night and included presentations from OEF President, Gary Yaghdjian, OEF Executive Director, Deborah Thompson, Equine Canada (EC) President, Mike Gallagher and EC CEO, Akaash Maharaj. Maharaj gave an overview of the new OEF/EC affiliation and what it means for members and Ontario’s horse industry. After a long year of negotiations, the OEF was pleased to make its affiliation with EC official by signing the Affiliation Agreement during the AGM. The subsequent elections saw Mark Dobrindt, Al Patterson, Susan Legge and Lindsey Reeve re-elected to the OEF Board of Directors. The Executive members of the OEF Board are Gary Yaghdjian as President, Allan Ehrlick as 1st Vice-President, Jack de Wit as 2nd Vice-President, Bruce Brown as Treasurer, and Kathy Fremes remained as Secretary. Other returning individual Directors include Alan Barnes, Jeremy Denouden, Ken Denouden, Ross Millar and Bonnie Simpson.
As is tradition, the Friday Night Opening Bash kicked off the weekend, and set the tone for a fun and educational weekend. Presented by Intercity Insurance Services, the bash was open to everyone to network, enjoy refreshments, and visit the Conference Trade Show. Trade Show exhibitors included: Intercity Insurance Services, River Bend Designs, The Best Bandages, Agribrands Purina Canada Inc., E3 Live for Horses, HorseJobs.ca, J’Equine Sport Inc., Australian Shop, Josh Lyons LLC, Brooks Performance Feeds, Central Cart Services Ltd., Nighswander Equestrian Centre/Hilary Balmer and Lasting Memories Pet Memorial.
The Conference education program once again offered delegates a wide variety of topics. Delegates sat in on sessions held Friday, Saturday and Sunday to hear equine experts share their knowledge and know-how on topics that spanned many different disciplines and interests. Speakers included Dr. Marvin Beeman, Dr. John Burton, Bianca Church, Dr. Richard Conrad, Stacey Cronyn, Karin Davis, Mark Dobrindt, Grant Field, Barbara Fogler, Lorraine Gilchrist, Lindsay Grice, Mel Gromoff, HorseJobs.ca, Josh Lyons, Mary Ruth Moore, Henry Regelink, Jochen Schleese, Bonnie Simpson, Bill Thomas, Catherine Willson and Danielle Yaghdjian.
The Annual Banquet on Saturday night welcomed 200 guests, who were treated to a very moving presentation made by 2008 Paralympic Gold & Silver medalist, Lauren Barwick. Lauren recounted her journey to the Paralympics and described the special relationship she shares with her mare, Maile. Throughout the evening, with the guidance of the Master of Ceremonies, Doug Moore, the OEF acknowledged members who have experienced achievements or made significant contributions over the past year with the People Make a Difference Awards and the OEF Annual Awards. The OEF was especially pleased to present the Gary Convery Memorial Award of Distinction to Gary Yaghdjian. The Gary Convery Award is presented under unique circumstances that merit special acknowledgment to an individual who has made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the Ontario equine industry and who exemplifies respect, patience, kindness and understanding.
A variety of items were up for grabs in the Silent Auction and the evening concluded with some of the items being featured in a live auction with auctioneer Clark Merritt. Together, the silent and live auctions raised over $7,000 for the Youth Bursary Fund. In addition, J’Equine Sport Inc. made a very generous donation of $1,000 that will enable the OEF to provide eight additional bursaries in 2010!
The OEF wishes to thank all auction contributors for supporting the OEF Youth Bursary program. Contributors included: A.L. Distributing, Artworks Paso Finos, Australian Shop, Barnboots, Bioniche Animal Health Canada, Brooks Feeds, Bruce & Sandra Brown, Cameron Advertising Displays, Canadian Horse Journal, Charlotte & Joseph Monardo, Colley, Borland & Vale Insurance Brokers Limited, Debbie Goldring, Delta Hotels, Dodge Rodeo Management, E3 Live for Horses, Equanimity Edge Equine Education, Equestrian Web Design, Equine Guelph/Office of Open Learning, Five Star Ranch, Freedman Harness, Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies Inc., Harmony Printing, Hidden Meadow Farm, Hilary Balmer, Hooves & Paws Photography, Horse Publications Group, Horsefeathers, Horsesmart International, HorseWorld Emporium, Ian Thompson, Intercity Insurance Services, J’Equine Sport Inc, Jack de Wit, Just Add Horses, KIDEUP - Certified Equine Massage, Knowlton Ridge Equestrian Centre, Kubota Canada Ltd., Lasting Memories, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., Marcia Barrett, Martin Mills, Masterfeeds, Media Edge, Milestone/Schneiders Saddlery, Morneau Sobeco, Myrddin Equestrian Centre, Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ontario Basketball, Ontario Quarter Horse Association, PC Sales & Marketing, Red Scarf Equestrian, Ribbon Works, River Bend Designs, Schleese Saddlery Service, SSG Gloves, The Best Bandages, The Rider and Willson Lewis LLP.
The OEF would like to extend its gratitude to the individuals and companies that have partnered with the OEF and supported the 2009 Conference including:
Title Sponsor – Intercity Insurance Services
Platinum Partners – Canadian Horse Journal, CASE IH, Elmira Farm Service Ltd., Green Tractors Inc., HorseCare Magazine, Huron Tractor, Horse Publications Group, Hutchinson Farm Supply, Kubota Canada Ltd., Masterfeeds, Picov’s Horseman Centre, SSG Gloves, System Fencing, Stalls & Equipment, The Rider
Gold Partners – ADM Alliance Nutrition, Aurora Wind Feeds, A.L. Distributing, Knowlton Ridge Equestrian Centre, The Pickering Horse Centre, River Bend Designs, StableComfort By Promat Inc.;
Silver Partners – Can-Am Equine Marketing, Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre, Equine Massage Therapy by Diane, Just Add Horses, Willson Lewis LLP
Bronze Partners – Broadbent Building, E3 Live for Horses, Equine Life Line, KIDEUP-Certified Equine Massage, Ontario Equine & Pet Cremation, PC Sales & Marketing
Copper Partners – Barnmice, Black Stallion Ranch, Bioniche Animal Health Canada Inc., Intervet Canada Corp. Lasting Memories Pet Memorial, Matélevage, Myrddin, Nelligan O’Brien Payne, Schleese Saddlery.
In addition, the OEF would also like to thank the Ontario Ministry of Heath Promotion, Ross Millar, Peller Estates and Zev for their contributions.
PHOTO'S OF THE WEEKEND:
