MARCH/APRIL 2012 THE RIDER /45 Area 1 celebrates 35 years as an association


160 guests attended the Area 1 Annual Awards Banquet on February 18th, held at the Dante Club in Sarnia. This was the first time for the AREA 1 BANQUET to be held in Sarnia. Over the past years, has been held in Eagle, Watford, Wilke- sporte, Ridgetown, Blenheim, Brigden and Chatham. The delicious buffet dinner featured roast chicken and roast sirloin of beef with roasted potatoes and assorted salads, vegetables and desserts. The venue provided a beautiful backdrop for the cele- bration.


1977 was also recognized by Jim Pratt for his contributions over the years. Unfortunately, Mick was not able to attend due to health and distance.


and efforts.


Guests included original board members, Jim Pratt (OQHA President 1967-1968 & Hall of Fame member) and his wife, Ruth; Al Pickard who was show coordinator, and his wife, Kay; Jim Paisley and his wife Lynn. Also in attendance Lau- rie MacLean, Newsletter editor for many years; Pam Grant, Points & Newsletter for many years; Leslie Cornish, first woman president, , Brian Hill and his wife, (Horse, Red Mambo Jr. inducted in OQHA Hall of Fame in January), Peter Van Eerd, Gerard and Marion Vanneste, Diane Ewing’s Par- ents. Larry and Renee Damp- house and Don and Karen Mac- Donald. 35 year members, Tracy and Larry Beck, Ross and Kathy Pettit, Ken McLellan and Ed Affleck (unable to attend) were presented with an engraved watch each to recog- nize their continued member- ship. Mick Pettypiece (OQHA President 1962-1963 & Hall of Fame) who was on the first Area 1 Board and president in


On January 4, 1976, at the Wheels Motor Inn in Chatham a meeting was called to order by the late John Harris. He explained to a fairly large group of people that the purpose of the meeting was to form an organi- zation, a promotional club to promote the Quarter Horse in Area 1, a region defined by the Ontario Quarter Horse Associa- tion. Mr. Harris explained to the gathering that tis plan had been presented to the Ontario Quarter Horse Board of Direc- tors and it had been unanimous- ly approved. Vince Amlin then explained to the group that the idea for a promotional associa- tion was to promote the Quarter Horse in Area 1, and that if formed; the organization would work closely with the Ontario Quarter Horse Association, and not in conflict with it. Lyle Kirby then moved that an asso- ciation be formed with the elec- tion of directors and representa- tives from the six counties in Area 1. After some discussion


An impressive selection of awards was presented to year end award winners. A Special Thanks-You goes to Connie Heidrich and Lynn Scott, awards chairpersons and Con- nie’s daughter, Haley Heidrich and Lynn’s granddaughter, Kendra Gladwish, who assisted in the awards presentations. A complete list of winners and numerous photos are available on the website, www.area1qh.com.


Diane Ewing, Career Recognition Award


Ken McLellan, Haley Heidrich, Kendra Gladwish, Connie Heidrich, Gerard and Marion Vanneste


and elections, the Area 1 Quar- ter Horse Association was born. Wayne Wright was the first President of the organiza- tion. Peter Hayes, Secretary- Treasurer; Al Pickard, Show Committee Co-coordinator; Pat Wilson, Points Keeper; Direc- tors: Ed Affleck, Doug Brooks, Jim Paisley, Mick Pettypiece, and Jim Pratt. Also attending the first meeting were Sandy Paroian, Simone Pratt, Bob MacWilliams, Al Farr, Gerry Buckley, Jeff Dietrich, Ivor King and Dennis Wilkey. Area 1 Directors from OQHA, John Harris, David Laidlaw, Vince Amlin and Leon Paroian were also in attendance at that first meeting.


remained constant. The goals of the Area 1 Quarter Horse Pro- motional Association are: 1. to promote the Quarter Horse Breed and industry


The basic goals have


2. to promote Quarter Horse Shows in Area 1 3. to develop Area 1 Quarter Horse Promotional Association to its fullest potential


Over the years, Area 1 members have been active on the OQHA Board and serving Quarterama in various positions. Niki Amlin was the OQHA Queen in 1991 and 1992, Congress Queen in 1992. Ash- ley Cook was the OQHA and Congress Queen in 2009.


4. to offer a Year End Awards Program to recognize achieve- ment of members and their Quarter Horses


The 2011 and 2012 Area 1 Board of Directors continues to support those goals. The President is Connie Heidrich; Mary Moore, Vice-president; Shelley Thomson, Secre- tary; Joyce Simpson, Trea- surer; Directors: Diana Amlin, Ashley Cook, Robin Graham, Ken McLellan, Lynn Scott, Points, Tracy Beck and Tammy Bur- rowes, Website. The direc- tors were given Anniversary Sweatshirts as a token of appreciation for their work


Some ingesting Area 1 facts include:


• 2 of the first 3 Quarter Horse


Shows held in Canada were in Leamington and Brigden • Jim Pratt was the first Canadi- an AQHA Judge


• Lambton County Saddle Club started the Bluewaterland Quar- ter Horse Show in 1961, now part of the Area 1 Summer Cel- ebration


• Christine Pratt was the first Canadian girl to compete in the Congress Queen Contest Exeter Saddle Club started the Mid-western Quarter Horse Show in 1966, now the Area 1 Southern Ontario Spring Classic • Parkhill Saddle Club and Area 1 co-hosted Quarter Horse Shows at Ausable Spring Ranch in Parkhill in 1980 and 1981 • Area 1 was the first to offer $50.00 Cash Draws at the Area 1 shows starting in 1986 • The Blenheim-Ridgetown Quarter Horse Shows were started in 1986 and are now a


Continued on page 46


Peter Van Eerd Lifetime Achievement Award


Ken McLellan, Jessie Cofell, Connie Heidrich, Kendra Gladwish, Haley Heidrich and Peter Van Eerd


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