JULY 2010 THE RIDER /3


The Rider Continued from Page 1


The Rider got a face lift com- plete with new logo, punched up colour content and more story coverage. In 2005, Barry took over the paper completely. Many organizations have chosen The Rider as their official newsletter over the years. The Western Horse Association of Ontario and the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc. have been there since the beginning and have since been joined by many other associations.


Clearly the paper has undergone quite a few transfor- mations over the years but some- thing that’s remained a constant throughout that time is the peo- ple who read it. As Aidan says, forty years is a long time looking forward but a short time looking back. Over the years there were many other publications that came and went on the horse scene, but he remembers “most were short lived as they fell by the wayside through our cus- tomers’ loyalty to us.”


One of those customers is Lynda Sisson, who was involved with two important firsts with The Rider. She was one of the people with Aidan when the idea for a paper of this kind first occurred to him, later won a draw to become the first sub- scriber and also wrote for The Rider for a number of years as well.


“I first met Aidan through the Ancaster Saddle Club,” she says. “In that area there was a different horse show every week and lots of clubs. He was totally appalled there was no central publication with the basic infor- mation and a place to advertise. I thought it was brilliant and so did a lot of people. It’s still abso- lutely wonderful.”


Another long time sub- scriber remembers his rocky start with Aidan, an anecdote both men like to share. Peter Cameron was judging a horse show back when Aidan had just come out with his publication, and Cameron had to kick him out of the ring for not being properly attired in Western gear. Being a judge for 46 years and judging a record 885 shows, it has to be accepted that Cameron knew what he was talking about. But Aidan also knew his trade: Cameron calls The Rider “the greatest horse publication in Canada” and credits Aidan for getting it going so well and Barry for expanding it. There are no hard feelings from that horse show so long ago either. Cameron says he often answered questions from Aidan and Barry for articles in the paper and was happy to contribute.


“It sure is well read,” he says.


Herb Towers, a long time friend of both Cameron and The Rider, is a lifetime member of the Western Horse Association and gets the paper automatically every month, which he looks for- ward to. To his recollection, the Western Horse Association was one of the first to use The Rider as their newsletter.


“Aidan was always very supportive,” Herb says. “He was a sponsor and booster of the association and helped out quite a bit in many ways. I think it’s wonderful; it’s the horse industry top to bottom. Now that Barry is running things, he’s still doing an excellent job covering it all.” Not only is The Rider appreciated by subscribers, but it


also finds acknowledgement through numerous awards for editorial, design and advertise- ments. Barry is happy with the “recognition not just from read- ers but the industry as well.” Melissa Menardo, marketing director for the Ontario Equestri- an Federation, has only praise for the paper.


“The Rider’s all encom- passing news coverage makes it a relevant and important medium for Ontario’s horse industry,” she says. “It’s no wonder that it’s a six time winner of the OEF Media of the Year award.” George Hewitt - well known Windsor cowboy - agrees with the OEF, calling the publi- cation “by horsemen, for horse- men.”


“I think it helps pave the road for the future,” he says. “It tends to help people get down that equine road. They’re going to learn something from The Rider in whatever discipline they choose.”


The versatility of the paper is well acknowledged now, but there are fond memories of when Quarter horses and Western rid- ing were its bread and butter. Aidan was inducted into the Ontario Quarter Horse Associa- tion’s Hall of Fame in 2005 because of his involvement and support of the organization both personally and through The Rider. It’s a close friendship that continues today.


“That was a cherished award of recognition,” he says. “And one that will live with me forever.” There are a few things that help give The Rider its staying power. One is that it’s the only horse publication in Ontario still family owned and operated, which lends it a lot of charm. Another plus is this means more creative control over content. George Hewitt calls Aidan a journalist who “never backed away from a challenge” and points to this bravery as the rea- son he became a fan of The Rider.


Hewitt wrote articles for the paper which he described as controversial, that may have at


much dominated by cowboys, so Aidan tried to do something to encourage the cowgirls to come out too. The WHAO was the first trophy presentation for The Rider, and the High Point Ladies Trophy is still being awarded to the women who now make up a large percentage of competitors and take home a lot of the prizes. It’s this attention to the industry and the people who make it up that sets The Rider apart and gives it longevity. Ross Millar began in the horse world 14 years ago and has developed a relationship with first Aidan and then Barry through that time. He says he appreciates working with upfront, honest people.


“Barry keeps his nose to the grindstone and is focused on what makes a publication work, which is the industry and the people in it,” Millar says. “He doesn’t lose sight of that. It’s a good voice for the equine world and that’s been demonstrated by the awards they get. It’s quite a tribute.”


In 1984, The Rider was the only horse publication in Ontario that year invited to a reception with Queen Elizabeth. Only one person was allowed to go to rep- resent the paper, and Katherine Finn was chosen by her husband because she “kept them on the straight and narrow with her accounting skills and charm in collecting overdue accounts.” So Aidan’s wife and Barry’s mother went aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia to meet Queen Eliza- beth and have tea with her. “Because of The Rider I have been able to meet many interesting people and been to many amazing places and events,” Barry says.


Though not all are royalty, Barry says The Rider has helped “make many friendships over the years with people in the horse industry and it’s nice to know that if I ever get stranded some- where in Ontario there is usually someone nearby I could call on for help.”


Besides excellent people skills, The Rider has been around so long because it keeps


without my father having done all the pioneering work and giving me a great base to work with.”


In 1996 Barry started therider.com and suddenly the paper was accessible to a far wider base of readers.


“We are currently revamping the website and hope to offer more up-to- date news and information soon,” he says.


As for the future, Barry sees The Rider staying as a print publication “for many years to come.” Although digital editions on the Internet are becoming more and more prevalent, and he says he does and will continue to offer a dig- ital edition on the website, there’s no fear the tangible, old fashioned newspa- per won’t be landing on your doorstep regularly.


“The newspaper still does its job well and I can’t see changing it, just augmenting it,” he says.


What’s been proven over the past 40 years is that no matter what form it takes, loyal readers will be anxiously awaiting The Rider’s monthly arrival. Jack DeWitt started reading the paper 25 years ago when his daughter signed up for a subscription, and has been hooked ever since.


“I hope to be using it for another 25 years,” he says. “Congratulations!” It’s this kind of praise that means the most to the Finns. Aidan thanks “the horse industry of Ontario, Canada and the USA” for giving him over 40 years of “extreme pleasure and enjoyment.” Beyond the industry aspect though, it’s the people who matter most. “From the bottom of my heart I thank all the riders, subscribers and personal friends that I have made along the way, some who are still here and some who are gone,” Aidan says.


Perhaps Lynda Sisson best described what The Rider has offered people in the horse world over the years, something even more valuable than what’s printed within its pages: a community of like-minded individuals and a network of good friends.


Aidan Finn in his office during the 1970’s


“I’ve met some of the nicest people in the world through that paper,” she says. “I’ve gotten to know them and been lucky enough to become friends with them. It wouldn’t have been as easy without The Rider.”


Barry Finn on Arabian/QH cross “Woody” at age 4. He had won two ribbons in the Lead Line Class at an Ancaster Saddle Club Show


Valerie Love, centre, presents Barry and Aidan Finn with an appre- ciation award at Quarterama 1991


times “ruffled some feathers”, but he respects the fact that he was never asked to tone down his opinion or be told what to write.


“Unlike most others it’s stayed true to itself,” he says. “It’s a publication about the industry and the people who make the industry. The reason why The Rider jumped into my life was because the men behind it were noble and had integrity, and you don’t find that often.” Another example of The Rider’s cutting edge approach to all things horse was the creation of the High Point Ladies Trophy for the WHAO. In 1970 the Western horse industry was very


itself current. Barry says he remembers collating pages by hand back when it was a maga- zine format and can personally attest to how technology has changed the face of publishing. From co-owner in 1989 to devel- oping The English Rider in 1990 to taking the reins solo in 2005, Barry has helped the publication adjust to the times. He took over more and more of sales and lay- out until the companies the fami- ly owned split and The Rider was all his.


“I was able to accomplish a lot more,” he says. “I could not have done what I did without my mother and father’s guidance and support over the years, or


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