14/ APRIL 2024 THE RIDER Bob-T Tack Shop Celebrates 35 Years


Lancaster, ON - Bob-T Tack Shop, a specialty store for horse owners and country lovers, is cel- ebrating its 35 year anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, Bob-T is offering a monthly item on sale at bare bottom prices, as well as planning great events in April.


Bob-T Tack Shop was


started by the mother/daughter team of Therese Proulx and Li- ette (Proulx) Deschambault in 1989 on the family farm of Bob- T in Summerstown (Bob for Dad and T for Therese). They pur- chased “The Horseman Shop”, an existing tack store located in Williamstown, Ontario that sold mainly to the English horse mar- ket. Two years into the business, they bought the building in Lan- caster, where it now stands. For three decades, Bob-T has focused


on providing horse owners with quality horse products, leather goods, clothing, and giftware. With the rise of country music, Bob-T added a bigger selection of western boots, jeans, hats, belts, buckles and clothing to meet this need. “We have over 750 pairs of


western boots for babies, kids, ladies and men including work boots.” Exclaimed Liette De- schambault. “Our store is not the biggest, but we are masters at maximizing our space”. Liette has a lot of experi-


ence in the horse market having operated a trail string for 5 years and a full equestrian center for 20 years focusing on beginner and intermediate riders in both Eng- lish and western disciplines of riding. A Level One coach, she also trained many horses. She


Ontario Reined Cow Horse Association Werner Bohner, President, 519-209-8196


Craig Black, Vice President, 519-874-1294


To promote the reined cow horse in Ontario through education, participation, and mentorship


Or visit us at our website: www.orcha.ca ORCHA Sponsors


unteered organizing horse shows for different organiza- tions and the Williamstown Fair for 25 years. She loves to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with her clients, from straight beginners to coaches and stable owners. Therese retired in 2006 and


continued to do the paperwork until her passing in 2019. Over the years, the business has had a mixture of long term staff and countless students working as well as many members of Li- ette’s family. Liette can attest that the paper end of the busi- ness is much more complicated than it used to be. In 2013, Bob-T introduced


the “Bargain Box” which oper- ates during the summer months offering lots of savings with dis- counted items 40% off or more.


competed in hunter, jumper, eventing, western performance and competitive trail riding. She bred Paint Horses for many years


and currently owns three. She was a founding member of the Eastern Ontario Paint Horse Club and still helps the club. She vol-


“We’ve seen lots of trends


come and go” says Liette “but basic equipment will still get you by. With the growth of cash crop farms and urban expansion there are fewer horses on acreages than in the past. The majority are boarded out. With rising costs, it certainly is affecting the horse market. But horse people are re- silient and it takes a lot to deter them from their passion.” “Over the years, Bob-T


Tack Shop has supported hun- dreds of horse shows, 4-H, rodeos, and community endeav- ours.” explained Liette Descham- bault, owner. “I can’t believe it’s been 35 years already! The equestrian community is a big family and it has been my pleas- ure to serve it.” To keep up with the times,


Bob-T launched its on-line store and website in 2014 to compete with global markets. “It was a lot of work but our


timing was perfect as we were


completely on line when the Covid Pandemic hit” mentions Liette. “We were able to ride out the worst of it and our clients had access to what they needed’. The store’s newest endeav-


our is online equestrian auctions under


the name Pony-Bits


Canada on Facebook. “Our focus is on providing


quality goods with knowledge- able staff and good customer service.” says Liette. ‘We treat our clients like we would like to be treated. I have an amazing team that makes this happen.” Only one third of all small


businesses reach their 10th an- niversary, and Bob-T is aware that they could not have achieved this 35th anniversary without the support of their loyal customers and staff. -


Photos of Liette Deschambault, owner, outside of store and inside.


Avon Feedmill Inc. Hidden View Farms Cozy Acres Tack Shop


farm in Orangeville, Ontario, where we take great pleasure in training, breeding and showing Quarter Horses. Dave is a long-time trainer and has a keen


Dave and I are blessed to own our dream


quality show horses, and take great pride in watching them succeed in the show pen.


eye for talented young horses, and matching horses to clients. We have had much success selling high


Dave Aitchison 519-942-6111 Julie Huppé 519-942-6688


“Love the animal first and the sport second”


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