4/ APRIL 2021 THE RIDER HON. COL. A.W. FINN CD: Founder


BARRY FINN: barry@therider.com Publisher/ Editor/Advertising Manager


GLENDA FORDHAM: fordhampr@rogers.com Entertainment Columnist


Horse Journal®


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In Memoriam:


Ottawa, ON, Feb. 18, 2021 – Equestrian Canada (EC) extends heartfelt condo- lences to the family and friends of Eva “Evi” Maria Pracht of Stouffville, ON, who passed away on Feb. 15, 2021, at the age of 83. Evi was born into the dressage world


as the daughter of German Olympian Josef Neckermann. Just one year after moving to Canada from West Germany in 1981, Evi represented her new home country at a precursor to the World Eques- trian Games. In 1984, she made her Olympic debut in Los Angeles riding Lit- tle Joe under the red and white banner. While keeping her eyes trained on


excellence, Evi opened her arms to all of Canada to introduce them to the then-lit- tle-known sport of dressage. Alongside her husband, Hans Pracht, she coaxed the World Championship out of Europe for the first time in 1986. The star-studded event was held at the Pracht’s facility, In- ternational Equestrian Sport Services Ltd., in Cedar Valley, ON, bringing world-class dressage to Canadian spectators for the first time. Evi herself competed in the World Championship aboard the Swedish Warmblood gelding Emirage, placing in the top three. It was partnered with Emirage that Evi skyrocketed onto the podium. First,


From Our Founder


Remembering March 1987


As usual the news was all


about Quarterama ‘87. This show claimed 3,500 entries. Ticket sales were extremely brisk weeks before the show. Sales were com- ing in from all across Canada and the US. Quarterama ‘87 was shaping up to be a huge success..


Shirley Crane, President of


the Ontario Equestrian Federa- tion, was promoting a Western Heritage Classic Circuit with the idea of eventually qualifying rid- ers and horses for the Olympics.


The Canadian National


Quarter Horse Show advertised their show for Thanksgiving Weekend in Lethbridge, AB.


The Ontario Cutting Horse The Rider had a 48 page


issue which was crammed with Stallion Ads. Where are they all now!


Earl Gallagher, chair of the The All American Quarter Association accepted a $250 QROOI 1987 Stakes Program, THE RIDER IS THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF:


www.facebook.com/TheRiderNewspaper www.twitter/#!/theridercom


• Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association • Ontario Cutting Horse Association • Ontario Xtreme Cowboy • Ontario Quarter Horse Association


Eva Maria Pracht (1937-2021)


for the Barcelona 1992 Olympics; four- time Canadian Olympian and Evi’s Seoul Olympics teammate, Ashley Holzer; and Lima 2019 Pan American Games team and individual gold medalist, Tina Irwin. Evi’s unwavering passion for the sport, immense depth of knowledge and con- stant positivity made her presence ring- side much sought after and cherished. “Evi left an indelible mark on our


community and her loss is deeply felt na- tionwide,” said EC CEO, Meg Krueger. “As an athlete, coach, competition organ- izer and tireless promoter, she fashioned dressage in Canada into the prosperous sport it is today. We are glad to see many of her students still in the ring, carrying on her teachings and legacy for generations to come.” Evi is survived by her daughter,


the pair helped the Canadian Dressage Team win gold at the Indianapolis 1987 Pan American Games before capturing team bronze at the Seoul 1988 Olympics. Evi’s last appearance riding for the maple leaf was at the 1991 World Cup. Throughout her athletic career and


for decades after, Evi coached other ath- letes riding for Canada at the highest level, including: her daughter, Martina Pracht, who took up the reins on Emirage


Horse Congress was promoting their 1987 show. They were ahead of the curve trying to get entries long before the show. Today you would hardly know the show still exists.


Quarterama were advertis-


ing 33 lots in the Exclusive 18th Annual Quarter Horse sale.


Tassilo, SI 102 and 237 Rac-


ing points, was being advertised by private treaty, he was standing at Tintagel Stables in Milton. He was a feature horse on Stallion Avenue at Quarterama.


Martina, and granddaughter, Sabrina von Buttlar, who carries on the family eques- trian tradition in the hunter/jumper ring.


PHOTO – Equestrian Canada offers sin- cere condolences to the family and friends of the late Eva Maria Pracht of Stouffville, ON, who passed away on Feb. 15, 2021, at the age of 83. PHOTO CREDIT – Cealy Tetley


Scholarship in Amateur Cutting Class. Cutter was sponsoring young rider with providing schol- arships. Frontier Saddlery and the


Stouffville Horse Auction took a double page spread for their store sale in February and the horse sale in April,


Ralph Pearson was elected


president of the QROOI. You would think that Ralph had enough on his plate with already being Chair of Quarterama. Ralph is a super supporter of the entire horse industry of Ontario.


In


Memoriam: Passed away at


• Ontario Reined Cow Horse Association • Ontario Reining Horse Association • Ontario Trail Riding Association • Quarter Racing Owners Of Ontario, Inc. • Western Horse Association Of Ontario


Harry J. Witteveen (1928 – 2021)


the Brantford General Hospital on February 26, 2021 in his 94th year. A long-time res- ident of St. George, Ontario. Survived by his loving wife Cecilia (Van der Werf) and his three children Victor (Olive), Doug (Gayle) and Carol (Ron) Be- lair and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Harry will be remembered for as the Founder of Witteveen Meats, St. George. As an active Life Member of the


St. George Lions club since 1952, he was a believer in supporting the local community and served as a Council- lor and Deputy Reeve of South Dumfries County Township and then went on to serve as Warden of Brant County. He also served on the Brant- ford General Hospital Board and was an active Life Member of the Brantford Club. His passion for life also included


his love of his native land Friesian Horses which he bred and raised dur- ing his retirement years. He went on


was advertising 19 events with a total purses of $125,000. The big one was the Rags to Riches Futu- rity of $50,000.


A deadly Equine Virus


claimed 6 race horses at the Windsor Raceway in December 1986. It was announced by Dr. John McKinley that it was a her- pes type virus. Currently EHV-1 is a health issue in the Ontario Horse Industry.


We had a feature story on


George Hewitt’s Open Roads show. It was announced that the show was on 21 Major TV Sta- tions. Some pictures that we used was of George on top of the Mid- night Dome in Dawson City, Yukon and of him panning for gold in the Yukon River. You can see more about George on the CKCO website. Use this link -


Do you love Fergus? Visit his website at: http://www.fergusthehorse.com


to serve as one of the Founding Directors of the Friesian Horse As- sociation of North America and in 2009 was inducted to the FHANA Hall of Fame. Harry always took care of his family and has left many memories behind for all of them to cherish. He will be deeply missed by all those


that loved him. As expressions of sympathy do-


nations in Harry’s memory may be made to: St Josephs Lifecare Foun- dation, cremation has taken place. A family service will be held at a later date when we can all gather once again. Arrangements entrusted to McCleister Funeral Home, 495 Park Road N. Brantford. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.mccleisterfuneral- home.ca - McCleister 519-758-1553 To plant a tree in memory of


Harry Witteveen, please visit Tribute Store


http://ckco-history.com/produc- tions/open-roads/


We also featured Craig


Black training Quarter Horses in Italy.


My Turn Winter 2020 has finely


given way to Spring 2021. But the Coronavirus is dragging right along. We are not too sure of horse shows or rodeos for 2021. We lost a lot of good horse friends this past winter, please ac- cept The Riders condolences of everyone’s loss.


many dogs were rescued from a deplorable property on Montrose Ave. in Niagara Falls. it is unbe- lievable how much traffic and people use that road and never saw anything. If you saw some-


The Rider welcomes letters on any subject but reserves the right to edit them for brevity and clarity. Letters of 200 words or less are more likely to be published. All letters, including those sent by E-mail, must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Reach us by


E-mail: barry@therider.com


thing and never reported it,shame on you! I do not have much to gripe


about except I am still being in- undated with sickening repetitive commercials. I see that the Sure Heath guy is still preaching health care. They made a new commercial but they had to have him. He has to be the most an- noying pitchman ever. Just remember it may be


spring but animal abuse is still out there. I am not sure if the an- imals are more abused than sen- iors at Nursing homes. All I hear is appalling. Thank you for looking down


I was appalled to learn that in this corner Aidan W. Finn CD


Founder of The Rider 1970 President, Orange aPEEL www.orangeapeel.com


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