32/ FEBRUARY 2019 THE RIDER Horse Heritage is alive and well in Erin In October this past year


(2018) at the Erin Fall Fair, The Erin Agricultural Society estab- lished the Horse Heritage Hall of Fame. This purpose of the Hall of Fame event is to cele- brate Erin’s rich equine history and to recognize leaders within Erin’s horse community. An Archive was also created, to capture equine heritage, memo- ries, photos and and horse event memorabilia. Since the early 1800’s horses have played a vital role in Erin, and they con- tinue to contribute in a meaning- ful way to the local equine economic sector, recreation and country lifestyle. The Hall of Fame awards will now be an an- nual event, with winners being announced at the Erin Fair which takes place every Thanks- giving weekend, since 1850.


The 2018 EAS Horse Heritage Hall of Fame Awards were pre- sented as follows:


Heavy Horses and Equine Community Contribution Awarded to Fred Cox, a


ninety-year old farmer and for- mer volunteer Fire Chief for Erin and Hillsburgh. Fred worked with horses all his life, beginning with heavy horses on the farm, used horses for trans- portation and then later for recreation. Fred was instrumen- tal in mentoring and showing other people how to handle the gentle giants, and held the roles of Show Judge and committee member for the Heavy Horse Pulls at the Erin Fair. Fred’s nomination included many won-


derful stories about his life with horses including horse races in Stanley Park and hauling ice out of the river (with horses). Fred is a lifetime member of the Erin Agricultural Society.


Note: Dwayne Gregson, 2018 Erin Fair President presented Fred’s award. The family of Fred Cox


gathered stories and information on behalf of Fred’s great grand- son Cullen Abram Frederick Cox, who was one year old at the time. They thought it was important for Cullen to understand his great grandfather’s contribution and impor- tance to the Erin com- munity. Fred attended the award ceremony.


mously)


Percheron Breed De- velopment and Youth Mentorship Awarded (post-hu- to David


Leitch, for his lifetime work to develop the Percheron breed (dri- ving, showing, breed- ing)


and for his


commitment to youth mentorship. David was a committed 4-H leader, past director of the On- tario Percheron Horse Association, joined the Erin Agricultural Society at age 16, was on the Heavy Horse and Horse Pull committees, and Past Pres- ident of the Erin Fair (1984-85). David’s life work and many suc- cesses include breeding his own


horses, showing his 6-horse hitch at the CNE, The Royal Winter Fair, and finishing 7th in the World Percheron Congress (2008). David is remembered fondly with love and respect for his extensive knowledge and un- derstanding of the Percheron breed and sharing this with any- one who wanted to learn.


Note: David’s award was pre- sented by life-long friend and owner of one of his teams’ Rob


Industry Leadership & Thor- oughbred Breed Development Awarded to Gail Wood for


her determined leadership within the Thoroughbred industry. Gail’s commitment to post race and horse welfare is the culmination of over 40 years of breeding, rais- ing foals and racing horses. Woodland Farms is nationally and internationally recognized for their contribution to TB breed de- velopment and for being one of the leading sale con- signors in Canada. Gail has been key player in elevating the quality of entries at the Ontario Sales and attracting buyers from the fa- mous Kentucky Sales. Note: Gail’s award was presented by Alf Budweth, owner of Budson’s –Provisions for Country Living & Nobleton Feeds. Alf has known Gail since he was a young man.


Lifetime Achieve- ment


Edenwold,


Awarded to 2006


Carol Wetering, Alf Budweth, presenting the In-


dustry Achievement award to Gail Wood, (Wood- lands Farm)


Fletcher (past president of Erin Fair). David’s award plaque was accepted by his wife Helen Leitch.


Queen’s Plate Cham- pion. Edenwold was bred and foaled in Erin, by Gail Wood and William Diamant


at Woodlands Farms. Edenwold was pur- chased in 2004 for $100,000. by Jim and


Alice Sapara from Edmonton Al- berta. He went on to become Canada’s champion Two-year old in 2005, and won the Queen’s Plate in 2006. Edenwold was the first horse to accomplish this feat since Sound Reason in 1977. Bill Diamant is the husband of Vickie Pappas, the founder of Longrun Thoroughbred Adoption Society, located in Erin. Note: Gail Wood accepted the award on behalf of Edenwold.


• In support of the Hall of Fame, event banners were created show- casing vintage photos of horses and horse events from the Erin Fair, many of historical signifi-


Helen Leitch accepting on behalf of David Leith, Fred Cox, and Gail Wood, Erin Horse Heritage Hall of Fame awards, Oct. 2018


cance, dating back to the 1940’s.


• During the Fair, the Equine Tent showcased the 2018 Hall of Fame winners, their stories and photos and supported this exhibit with a display of heavy-horse show har- ness and antique tack, a large wooden carving of a horse and the inaugural hall of fame banner.


• The Horse Hall of Fame awards were promoted during the summer months leading up to the Fair (Oct 4-8, 2018) via publicity and print articles, a multi-week radio cam- paign, digital and social media sites, and had advertisements in and was supported by The Rider.


• The Hall of Fame presentation took place in the Equine Tent dur- ing the Fair, with speeches about the accomplishments of each in- ductee. The event was attended by Erin’s Mayor, Allan Alls, Town of Erin Councilors and a large crowd of family, friends and visitors who came specifically for the awards ceremony and reception.


• Post-event exposure and event extension: A two-month heritage exhibit, called Erin Agricultural Society & Horse Heritage was on display at the new Hillsburgh Li- brary from November to February 2019. The display highlight is a life-sized carving of a horse sculp- ture, by local artist Craig Thomp- son, 2018 Hall of Fame Award plaque, photos of the winners,


archival and heritage items.


Other information about the Erin Fair:


The Erin Fair was estab-


lished in 1850 and annual atten- dance is between 25-30,000 visitors, consisting of locals and visitors from GTA region who are interested in agricultural, rural liv- ing and animals. Many families make the Erin Fair part of their Thanksgiving tradition, and the weekend they ‘come home’. The 2018 Equine Tent at the


Erin Fair welcomed 11,000 visi- tors. The Erin Fair pays out over $60,000 to the community in monetary prizes for exhibits and show winners. The 2018 Erin Fair 50/50 draw was over $20,000, with the winner taking home over $10,000. The Erin Fair is the second


largest tourism attraction in the Town of Erin and one of the largest visitor events in Welling- ton County.


For information regarding


the Erin Fair or Erin Agricultural Society, 2019 Hall of Fame nom- inations and submissions, or the Erin Fair Equine Tent, please con- tact: Eileen Brown, EAS Secretary 519.833.2808 secretary@erin- fair.com or Bridget Ryan EAS Horse Her- itage Hall of Fame: 519.855.4562 equineerin@gmail.com.


Gail Wood accepting the Lifetime Achievement award, for Edenwold (the horse), presented by Thoroughbred trainer, Danny O’Callaghan of Hillsburgh


Gail Wood accepting the Lifetime Achievement


award, for Edenwold (the horse), presented by Thor- oughbred trainer, Danny O’Callaghan of Hillsburgh


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