2005 Annual Conference

News

2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 25-27, 2005 - Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston

"EAST MEETS WEST" CONFERENCE A HUGE HIT!

The Ontario Equestrian Federation is thrilled with the success of the 2005 “East Meets West” Annual Conference which ran November 25-27 at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston, ON. Nearly 400 horse-people from across the province participated in this phenomenal event. “This is the first time I have been to the OEF Conference and I was very impressed with the organization, presentation, location and topics. Excellent job, congratulations!” declared a satisfied delegate. “Definitely, the best Conference all around yet!” stated another.

The entire weekend was filled with fun starting with the Opening Bash on Friday evening. Live music, a trade show, incredible food, games, a roping contest and tons of prizes made this party “the event of the year”! The lively atmosphere continued throughout the Conference at the refreshment breaks, cocktail party, and the banquet where prizes were given out in droves. Trade Show exhibitors included: A Bit Equine, Anivac Corp, Anne Clifford, Australian Shop, Can-Am Marketing Inc., D'Al School of Massage Therapy, Dominion Regalia, Ed Yaghdjian, Herbs for Horses, Ontario Reining Horse Association, Ribbon Works, River Bend Designs, Schleese Saddlery Services Ltd., Sharon's Cozy Horse Creations, and The Best Bandages.

Canadian Equestrian Team Member and Chef d’Equipe, Danny Foster, and local hero, Henry Regelink, opened the event as Key Note Speakers. Danny spoke of his journey from the grass roots to the Team and the difficulties he encountered being successful in the horse business when one does not come from a wealthy family. He emphasized that, if you have the drive and commitment, you can make a life-long and successful career in the business and he encouraged young riders to “stick with it”. Henry followed Danny and moved the crowd to tears as he recounted a number of touching stories about the people he has met over the years in the horse business. He brought home the fact that although the vehicle we all have in common is ‘the horse’, we need to remember that it is the people that make the industry what it is. “Danny and Henry were excellent Key Note Speakers,” one delegate stated.

The education program was one of the best to date. 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 Anna Ritchie, Belinda Trussell, Bill Thomas, Carol Mott, Catherine Willson, Cathy Inch, Danny Foster, Dave Ballard, Danielle Yaghdjian, Denise Stoddart, Dr. Darryl Bonder, Dr. Mark Rutherford, Dr. Judith Koenig, Gary Yaghdjian, Gayle Ecker, Greg Kuti, Henry Regelink, Ian Roberts, Karen Huston, Kathy Fremes, Kerstin Brunner, Lindsey Grice, Lorraine Gilchrist, Margie Gayford, Marion Young, MH Lessard, Mike King, Pat Carter, Ralph Robinson, Paul Popiel, Ross Millar, Sandy Webster-Stolte, Shannon Pratt, and Tracey Mitchell.

Certainly, one of the most thrilling events of the Conference this year was the East Meets West Annual Banquet! The OEF was privileged to celebrate and acknowledge the 2005 OEF Annual Award winners and the People Make a Difference Award winners. Comedian, Denis Grignon, had the house in stitches with his comedic sketch on rural living and some of the new things he learned about horsepeople hanging around the Conference that day. In addition, the annual Silent Auction raised in excess of $4,000 in support of the OEF’s Youth Fund and will allow the OEF to present an additional four Youth Bursaries of $1,000 each in 2006.

OEF Award winners included: Yvonne Collard Award – Laurel Gould, Cassie Bonnar Award – David Kavanagh, Volunteer of the Year – Jim Waechter & Leslie Brooks, Official of the Year – Sandra Sillcox, Coach of the Year – Anna Ritchie, Sponsor of the Year – Masterfeeds Inc., Media of the Year – The Rider, and President’s Awards – Bruce Brown and Jack de Wit.

In recognition of the behind-the-scenes effort of the many volunteers in the equine world, the OEF was proud to bestow “People Make a Difference Awards” on the following individuals identified by their OEF member associations: Dan Cross - Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Canada, Donald J. Barnes - CADORA – Ontario, Brenda Pantling - Canadian Horse Breeders Association - Upper Canada District, Mary-Debra Pardy - Canadian Pony Club - Central Ontario Region, Tom & Lani Harris - Canadian Pony Club - Western Ontario Region, Margaret Monnelly - Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Society, Gordon King - Gaited Horse Group of Ontario, Cindy Barker - Hanoverian Breeders Club of Eastern Canada, Eve Dexter - Miniature Horse Club of Ontario, Peggy Turner - Ontario Combined Driving Association, Joe Mezenberg - Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association, Genevieve Kendell - Ontario Morgan Horse Club, Sue Nye - Ontario Quarter Horse Association, Carol Ivey - Ontario Reining Horse Association, Barbara Johnson - Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association, Helmut Hitscherich - Ontario Trail Riders Association, Jackie Shute - Tri-County Carriage Association, and Marion Ratcliffe - Trillium Hunter Jumper Association.

The OEF Annual General Meeting welcomed a return of Individual Directors Al Patterson, Kathy Fremes, Gary Yaghdjian and Sandra Sillcox, and Associations Council Chair and Vice-Chair, Allan Ehrlick and Kim Morgan-Deriet, respectively. In a “Council shuffle” following the election of Jack deWit as Chair of the Recreation Council, Jeremy Denouden took the reins of the Competitions Council, Nancy Codlin is now Chair of the Industry Council, and Bruce Brown will head the newly-formed Horse Facilities Council. Individual Directors who successfully stood for re-election included Ross Millar and Virginia Buchanan-Smith. Joining them as Individual Directors will be Di Langmuir, Gay Harper and Lindsey Reeve. The Executive Committee will be comprised of the President, Allan Ehrlick, Past-President, Al Patterson, Vice-President, Jack deWit, Treasurer, Bruce Brown, and Secretary, Sandra Sillcox.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Riding Establishments (ARE-ONT) on Friday, November 25^th, the ARE-ONT Board of Directors and the general membership collectively agreed that it is in the best interest of the organization to have the association absorbed into a new OEF Horse Facilities Council after examining the following benefits: reduced membership fees, members to maintain benefits such as a listing in the Ontario Horse Directory & Planner, online listing, marketing opportunities in OEF publications, etc., increased credibility as an OEF Council, and a permanent seat on the OEF Board of Directors.

The OEF approved the creation of the “Horse Facilities Council” at the AGM. The Council will be made up of the current members of the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario and will continue to include representatives from stable operators, lesson, training and showing facilities, as well as boarding, breeding, and trail riding facilities. Chair of the Council will hold a position on the OEF Board of Directors and Bruce Brown was elected as Chair of new Horse Facilities Council for a term of two years.

The OEF would like to extend its gratitude the individuals and companies that sponsored the 2005 Conference including: Title Sponsor – Intercity Insurance Services; Platinum Supporters - A.L. Distributing, System Equine Solutions, SSG Gloves, ShowOne; Gold Supporters - Anivac Corp, The Canadian Horse Journal, Can-Am Marketing, Central ON Pony Club, Horse Publications Group, Jake Circle K Stables, Kicx Nutrition Inc. (Goe Green), Phoenix Performance Products, The Pickering Horse Centre, River Bend Designs, Ross Millar, Western ON Pony Club; Silver Supporters - ADM Animal Health Nutrition, Audley Road Stables, Bioniche Animal Health Canada, Country Hill Equestrian Centre, Dalgas Enterprises, Equine Essentials by Harmony, Esplanade Software, Game Ready Equine, Granton Trailers Limited, Hawk Hill Farm, High Point Awards, Jack de Wit, Jad Vent Distributors, Martine Broeders, Moncton Meadows Canadian Horses, Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association, Picov's Horseman Centre, Ribbon Works, Sandford Stables, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd, Sharon's Cozy Horse Creations, and The Rider.

The OEF would also like to thank the following additional supporters, Silent Auction donors, and prize contributors: Gary Yaghdjian, Dudley’s Tack Shop, Bruce Brown, Show One, Can-Am Marketing, TizWiz Feeds, Kathy Fremes, Herbs for Horses, Granton Trailers, Alberta Premium Rye, TSC Stores, Baker’s Harness & Saddlery, Dodge Rodeo, Equine Horizons, Esplanade Software, Greenhawk, Hepburn Trailer Sales, Lancaster Group, Pegasus Airboots, Pleasant Ridge Saddlery, Sandra Hendrickson, The Gift Horse, and Time Flies Photography.

The OEF was most pleased to host the Annual General Meetings of three of its affiliate organizations – the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association, the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Ontario, and the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association.

The OEF is pleased to announce the return of the Annual Conference to the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston, ON on November 24-26, 2006.

2005 CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS

Intercity Insurance Services Ltd. is proud to be the official Title Sponsor of the Ontario Equestrian Federation 2005 Annual Conference.

Western Ontario Region

Ross Millar

ADM Animal Health Nutrition, Audley Road Stables, Bioniche Animal Health Canada, Country Hill Equestrian Centre, Dalgas Enterprises, Equine Essentials by Harmony, Esplanade Software, Game Ready Equine, Granton Trailers Limited, Hawk Hill Farm, High Point Awards, Jack de Wit, Jad Vent Distributors, Martine Broeders, Moncton Meadows Canadian Horses, Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association, Picov's Horseman Centre, Ribbon Works, Sandford Stables, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd, Sharon's Cozy Horse Creations, and The Rider