search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
2/ JULY 2020 THE RIDER


50 Years Continued from Page 1.


mations over the years but some- thing that’s remained a constant throughout that time is the people who read it. As Aidan says, ‘fifty years is a long time looking for- ward but a short time looking back’. Over the years, many other horse publications would come and go, but he remembers “most were short lived as they fell by the wayside through our customers’ loyalty to us.” One of those customers was


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 oc- curred to him, later won a draw to become the first subscriber and also wrote for The Rider for a nu- merous years as well. “I first met Aidan through


the Ancaster Saddle Club,” she said. “In that area there was a dif- ferent 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 ab- solutely wonderful.” Another long time sub-


scriber remembered 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 ac- cepted that Cameron knew what he was talking about. But Aidan also knew his trade: Cameron called 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 an- swered questions from Aidan and Barry for articles in the paper and was happy to contribute. “It sure is well read,” he


said. Herb Towers, a long time


friend of both Cameron and The Rider, was a lifetime member of the Western Horse Association and gets the paper automatically every month, which he looked forward to. To his recollection, the Western Horse Association was one of the first to use The Rider as their newsletter. “Aidan was always very


Aidan Finn in his office in the 1970’s.


supportive,” Herb says. “He was a sponsor and booster of the as- sociation 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 appre-


ciated by subscribers, but it also finds acknowledgement through numerous awards for editorial, design and advertisements. Barry is happy with the “recognition not just from readers, but the in- dustry as well.” Melissa Menardo, former marketing di- rector for the Ontario Equestrian Federation, had only praise for the paper. “The Rider’s all encompass-


ing news coverage makes it a rel- evant 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 publication “by horsemen, for horsemen.” “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 On- tario Quarter Horse Association’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. An- other plus is this means more cre- ative control over content. George Hewitt calls Aidan a jour- nalist who “never backed away from a challenge” and points to this bravery as the reason he be- came a fan of The Rider. Hewitt wrote articles for the


paper which he described as con- troversial, that may have at 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 in- dustry 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 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 many of the prizes. It’s this attention to the in-


dustry and the people who make it up that sets The Rider apart and gives it longevity. Ross Millar began in the horse world 24 years ago and has developed a relation- ship with first Aidan and then Barry through that time. He says he appreciates working with up- front, honest people. “Barry keeps his nose to the


grindstone and is focused on what makes a publication work, which is the industry and the peo- ple 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.” Both Aidan and Barry have


been inducted into the Can-Am Equine Walk Of Fame.


1984 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 ac- counting skills and charm in col- lecting overdue accounts.” So Aidan’s wife and Barry’s mother went aboard the Royal Yacht Bri- tannia to meet Queen Elizabeth and have tea with her. “Because of The Rider, I


have been able to meet many in- teresting 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 in- dustry and it’s nice to know that if I ever get stranded somewhere in Ontario there is usually some- one nearby I could call on for help.” Besides excellent people


skills, The Rider has been around so long because it keeps itself current. Barry says he remembers collating pages by hand back when it was a magazine format and can personally attest to how technology has changed the face


Dan Stewart, Leroy Kufske, Barry Finn, Lynda Harrison Sisson, Bob Sisson and Aidan Finn at the Rider booth at Quarterama in the 1980’s.


my father having done all the pi- oneering work and giving me a great base to work with.”


www.therider.com Rider’s


In 1996 Barry started The website


www.therider.com and suddenly The Rider was accessible to a far wider base of readers. “We are currently revamp-


ing the website and hope to offer more up-to-date news and infor- mation soon,” he says. As for the future, Barry sees


The Rider staying as a print pub- lication “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 digital edition on the web- site, there’s no fear the tangible, old fashioned newspaper won’t be landing on your doorstep reg- ularly. “The newspaper still does


its job well and I can’t see chang- ing it, just augmenting it,” he says.


New Websites In 2012 Barry acquired


Equine Niagara News and Barn- mice.com, adding some impor- tant digital properties to the mix. “Barnmice gives us an interna- tional equestrian social network that allows us to reach out glob- ally and expand our reach”.


Ads Online


www.theridermarketplace.com . Now every Rider advertiser gets their ad online as well as in the


at


other 35 years,” he says. “Con- gratulations!” 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 so many years of “extreme pleasure and enjoy- ment.” Beyond the industry as- pect though, it’s the people who matter most. “From the bottom of my


heart I thank all the riders, sub- scribers 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 of- fered people in the horse world over the years, something even more valuable than what’s printed within its pages: a com- munity of like-minded individu- als and a network of good friends. “I’ve met some of the nicest


people in the world through that paper,” she said. “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.”


Editor’s Note: This story was reprinted in part and updated from past Anniversary stories. Of note, interviewees Lynda Harri- son Sisson, Herb Towers and Peter Cameron have all passed away in recent years. We also lost Katherine Finn


In 2014 The Rider launched in 2017. Barry Finn at age 3


of publishing. From co-owner in 1989 to developing 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 layout until the two family businesses separated 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 without


print edition. In 2019 Barnmice Books


was added and 2 children’s books have been published so far. What’s been proven over the


past 50 years is that no matter what form it takes, loyal readers will be anxiously awaiting The Rider’s monthly arrival. Jack de Wit started reading the paper 35 years ago when his daughter signed up for a subscription, and has been hooked ever since. “I hope to be using it for an-


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48