DECEMBER 2010 THE RIDER /3 OEF Conference Continued from Page 1


money to help fund future pro- grams. The OEF Annual General Meeting followed the cheque pre- sentations. Many members were present to hear presentations made by OEF President, Gary Yaghdjian, OEF Operations Manager, Cather- ine Barker and Equine Canada (EC) CEO, Akaash Maharaj. The subse- quent elections saw Allan Ehrlick, Ross Millar, Martha Worts and Sarah Pratt elected to the OEF Board of Directors. The 2011 OEF executive members are Allan Ehrlick as President, Al Patterson as 1st Vice-President, Ken Denouden as 2nd Vice-President, Bruce Brown as Treasurer, Susan Legge as Secretary and Gary Yaghdjian as Past President. Other returning individual directors include Jack de Wit, Mark Dobrindt, Jeremy Denouden, Kathy Fremes, Lindsey Reeve and Bonnie Simpson. On Saturday the focus shifted to education and the program moved to Iron Horse Equestrian Complex in Milton, ON. The one day educational clinic featured a full day of interactive instructional opportunities with clinicians Peter Gray (eventing), Hyde Moffatt (hunter/jumper), Lindsay Grice (western performance) and Jacque- line Brooks (dressage). The theme of the clinic was strengthening the partnership between horse and rider, regardless of discipline. The unique perspective of the day was not only the four discipline approach, but also the focus of the clinicians actively teaching both demonstra- tion riders and audience auditors. In addition, Schleese Saddlery did an intimate saddle fitting presenta- tion over the lunch break. Ques- tions from the auditors were wel- comed and encouraged by all the


instructors, making this a truly interactive experience.


Delegates returned to the Delta Meadowvale on Saturday evening for the OEF Annual Banquet. The evening program was hosted by Allan Donnan, who did a wonderful job of entertaining the guests. A special presentation was made by para-equestrian, Madison Lawson, who recounted her experiences at the World Equestrian Games where she recently represented Canada. Throughout the evening, 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 induct Al Pat- terson and Gary Yaghdjian into the OEF Hall of Fame. The OEF Hall of Fame Award is presented under unique circumstances that merit special acknowledgement to an individual who has served the orga- nization with selfless volunteer hours to help move the OEF in a forward direction.


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 auc- tion. All proceeds raised from the auctions will directly support the OEF Youth Bursary program. A special thanks to all those who donated items to the auction. The OEF would also like to thank Iron Horse Equestrian Com- plex, the Ontario Ministry of Heath Promotion and Sport, Ross Millar, all 2010 OEF Partners and to all those that participated during the weekend. For more information about the OEF Annual Conference and to view more photos from the event please visit www.horse.on.ca.


OEF Inducts Patterson and Yaghdjian into Hall of Fame


The OEF Hall of Fame award recog- nizes and honors individuals whose con- tributions have had a significant impact on the development and evolution of the Ontario Equestrian Federation. The OEF Board of Directors is pleased to induct Al Patterson and Gary Yaghdjian. During the OEF Annual Banquet on Saturday October 23, 2010 Al Patterson and Gary Yaghdjian were presented with beautiful bronze sculptures mounted on a solid oak base with commemorative inscription and specially-designed Hall of Fame logo. Sculptor and OEF mem- ber, Ann Clifford, provided the bronzes. The OEF will also be commissioning a formal portrait of its Hall of Fame recip- ients for permanent display in the OEF Office.


as an OEF Director for more than twenty years, holding the office of President from 2000 to 2003. During his time as a volunteer, Al has served as a Director of the Ontario Quarter Horse Asso- ciation, chaired various OEF committees and councils and served as the President of Equine Canada from 2005 to 2009. In addition to several family run businesses, Al and his wife, Lynne, own and operate Quarter Time Farm, a quarter horse breeding farm in Millgrove, ON.


OEF President, Allan Ehrlick, and OEF Hall of Fame inductee, Al Patterson


Al Patterson has been involved with horses and the equine industry since a child, spending most of his early years on the family farm which operated a boarding and riding stable. Al has served


Gary Yaghdjian has been a professional in the horse industry since 1978 and has dedicated his entire adult life to horses. Gary has been a mainstay on the OEF Board for more than twenty years where he has been involved in all aspects of the organization. Most recently, Gary served as the OEF President from 2008 to 2010 spending countless hours on behalf of the OEF fostering a pos- itive relationship with Equine Canada. Gary’s diplomatic nature, positive outlook and pas- sionate drive led Ontario to be the first province to sign a national service agreement so that the OEF could better serve its members. Gary is an Equine Canada certified Level 2 Coach in both English and Western and holds national judging credentials with Equine Canada and the National Reining Horse Associa- tion of Germany. Gary and his wife, Danielle, own and operate The Pickering Horse Centre, a 50-horse facility offer- ing a riding school, horse boarding, and


OEF President, Allan Ehrlick, and OEF Hall of Fame inductee, Gary Yaghdjian


summer camps. In addition, the facility hosts a variety of horse shows each year. The Ontario Equestrian Federation is extremely proud to induct Al Patterson and Gary Yaghdjian into its Hall of Fame, who will join fellow inductees Bruce Brown and Allan Ehrlick. The OEF Hall of Fame Award is presented under unique circumstances that merit special acknowledgement to an individual who has served the organi- zation with selfless volunteer hours to help move the OEF in a forward direc- tion. It is not necessary for an individual to have served on the Board of Directors but the candidate must be a person who has devoted many hours to the growth and development of the OEF, and may be a member or former member of the organization. Individuals nominated must have exhibited leadership, excel- lence, inspiration, and integrity. The Award may be bestowed posthumously.


Photo Credit: River Bend Designs


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