JANUARY 2012 THE RIDER/ 5 OEF Banquet Continued from Page 1


discussed the variety of sites available, how they are best used and examples of how they have been used successfully.


The Recreation Council met to discuss the funding program that was introduced this year and the upcoming funding opportunities that will be available in 2012. The OEF has committed $30,000 in funding for recreational groups such as local saddle clubs and hunt clubs, helped fund trail development initia- tives and improvement projects. Ontario Trails Council (OTC) Executive Director, Patrick Connor spoke to the group about the state of trails designated for equestrian use in Ontario and the programs that the OTC has slated for next year.


Following the Recreation Council meet- ing, the OEF Annual General Meeting was held over the lunch hour and included an address from OEF President, Allan Ehrlick and a comprehensive 2011activity report from OEF Executive Director, Dianne Graham. The subsequent elections saw Mark Dobrindt, Al Patterson, Susan Legge and Lindsey Reeve re-elected to the OEF Board of Directors. The 2012 Executive members of the OEF Board are Allan Ehrlick as President, Al Patterson as 1st Vice-President, Grant Field as 2nd Vice- President, Martha Worts as Treasurer and Jack de Wit as Secretary. Other returning individu- al directors include Jeremy Denouden, Ken Denouden, Sarah Pratt and Bonnie Simpson. The OEF Associations Council wel- comed grant writing specialist, Al Will of Al Will & Associates Inc. Al discussed the importance of ‘building a case’ when applying for grants and potential sources that equestrian organizations could approach for funding. Concluding the day’s meetings, the Competi- tion Council hosted a panel of speakers that addressed the importance of event marketing and sponsorship. The OEF was pleased to welcome Glenn Crouter, Vice President of Media and Community Relations at Woodbine Entertainment Group; Hall of Fame Jockey and Ontario Jockeys Club Public Relations Ambassador, Sandy Hawley; and Joker’s Hill Horse Shows’ President, Ken Denouden. Later that evening, members gathered for the OEF Annual Banquet to celebrate out- standing equestrians, recognize special volun- teers, raise money for the OEF Youth Bursary program and play in a ‘just-for-fun” casino. The always charming Master of Ceremonies, Al Donnan did a wonderful job of entertaining the guests as he guided them through the evening’s program.


A special presentation was made to rec- ognize the equestrian icons that were featured throughout the year in WHOA! The OEF was honoured to introduce its 2011 equestrian icons: Charlie Armstrong; Joe and Pat Carter and Patti Carter-Pratt; and Jim Day, Moffat Dunlap, Jim Elder, Tom Gayford and Torchy Millar. Allan Ehrlick, Jimmy Elder and Gary Yaghdjian personally introduced each icon and provided guests with some humorous anecdotes and touching stories before present- ing each with a framed copy of their feature article.


Following the icon presentations, the OEF acknowledged members who have expe- rienced achievements or made significant con- tributions over the past year with the People Make a Difference Awards and the OEF Annual Awards. Congratulations to all 2011 Award Recipients!


OEF Awards


Yvonne Collard Award – Don Barnes Cassie Bonnar Award – Kathryn Robertson Sponsor of the Year Award – Ontario Harness Horse Association


Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Association – Barry Beach Gaited Horse Group of Ontario – Don Woodrow Miniature Horse Club of Ontario – Raquel Dowsling Mounted Games Across Canada Inc. – Dennis Pascoe Ontario Combined Driving Association – Lynn DeGrandis Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association – Deanna Ramsay Ontario Friesian Horse Association – Ted Vander Kooi Ontario Quarter Horse Association – Shawna Crawford Ontario Reining Horse Association – Tim & Lisa Stanton Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association – Viki LaCombe Tri-County Carriage Association – Harry & Cecile Witteveen


In addition to the awards presentations, a silent auction was held throughout the evening in support of the OEF Youth Bursary. The auction raised over $3,000 for the Youth Bursary Fund, which will provide three additional bursaries in 2012. Thank you to all those who donated items: A.L. Distributing, Agribrands Purina, Central Canada Paso Fino Horse Association, Dwayne Wanner, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equine Guelph, Equine Thermal Imaging, Greenhawk Inc., Helping Homeless Pets, Horse- jobs.ca, Hutchinson Farm Supply, Intercity Insurance Services, Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals, Picovs, Pinedale Properties Ltd., Randy Roy, Rid- ing Academy at the Horse Palace, River Bend Designs, Schleese and SSG Gloves.


The OEF would like to thank all those who came to the meetings and banquet. A special thanks to Mike King and Intercity Insurance Services for


their generous support as event title sponsor, to River Bend Designs for tak- ing photos, to Evie Frisque for the beautiful centre pieces she created for the banquet, to all OEF Partners and to the presenters for sharing their valuable knowledge.


Photo Credit: River Bend Designs, www.riverbenddesigns.org


Media of the Year Award – Tracy Hanes Coach of the Year Award – Ute Busse Presidents Special Recognition Award – Mike Gallagher


People Make A Difference Awards American Saddle Horse Association of Ontario – Marie Papple


Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Canada – Alice Draper


Canadian Pony Club, Central Ontario Region – Maisie Durward


Canadian Pony Club, Western Ontario Region – Suzanne Robertson


Canadian Sport Horse Association, Ontario – Allison Pezzack


Central Canada Paso Fino Horse Association – Denise Chandler


Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association – Nelson Snider


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