FEBRUARY 2024 THE RIDER /23


Q.R.O.O.I.: 50 Alexander Crossing’s, Ajax, ON L0S 1T6 Telephone: (905) 426-7050 • Fax: (905) 426-7093 Email: qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com


www.qrooi.com The QROOI 2023 Awards


Banquet will be held on Saturday February 24th, 2024 at the Ajax Convention Centre, 500 Beck Crescent in Ajax. Ticket costs will be $50.00 each which in- cludes HST. You can purchase your tickets at the QROOI Head Office by credit card or e-trans- fer. Please contact Monique at (905) 426-7050 or by email at qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com This year we will be wel-


coming Mega Mike for entertain- ment.


Mike D’Urzo is an interna-


PRESIDENT Bob Broadstock 18101 Cedardale Road, Nestleton, Ontario L0B 1L0 (905) 986-0044 email: bob_broadstock@hotmail.com


VICE-PRESIDENT Chantelle Bourgeois 416-985-7046 Chantelle.Bourgeois@t4g.com


James Bogar JBogar@cameronsteel.com


Scott Reid sr_training@hotmail.com


Amanda McCormack amccormack.valmor@gmail.com


2023 QROOI Awards Banquet - Saturday February 24th, 2024 You can link his website-


tional award winning magician & mentalist. As the founder and creative director of Mega Magic, he performs in hundreds of shows annually for some of the largest corporations, theaters, theme parks, festivals and televi- sion networks. Mike was the winner of the “Canadian Enter- tainer of the Year” award by the Canadian Event Awards. He was the 8-time recipient of the “Per- former of the Year” award pre- sented by Festivals & Events Ontario. He was awarded in the “Top 10 Magicians Worldwide”


by the Wedding Industry Experts Awards and the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Entertainer by Special Events Magazine.


His unique style of magic and a modernized approach have made him a popular form of entertain- ment at virtually every type of event. He performed in an inter- national tour across China for over half a million people! He also performed in an interna- tional festival in Doha Qatar which attracted over 100,000 guests. His magic has been fea-


2024 Stallion Enrolments Stallion Owners are reminded that


2024 Stallion Applications are due January 15, 2024 in order to avoid late fees. Stal- lions must be enrolled in the Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development program for their offspring to be designated as Ontario Sired.


Active (breeding) stallions may enrol


up to January 15, 2024 at no fee. After Jan- uary 15, there will be a $200 late fee to enrol an actively breeding stallion. This in- cludes breeding with frozen semen from gelded/deceased stallions. Inactive stallions (not breeding in


2024) may enrol up to 7 days after the end of racing to be eligible for program benefits such as Stallion Awards. An Owner must be enrolled in the


Program in order to enroll any horse, so an Owner Application should accompany the Stallion Application.


An updated Application to Accredit an


Ontario Stallion form is available on the Ontario Racing website, www.ontariorac- ing.com.


For further information, please contact:


Kathie Wilkinson Program Coordinator Quarter Horse Racing Industry Develop- ment Program Ontario Racing Direct: 416-576-6298 qhprogram@ontarioracing.com 2024 QROOI Stakes Program – Pending Approval


The QROOI Board is happy to announce the 2024 Stakes Program (Pending ap- proval) conducted at Ajax Downs in On- tario during May through October 2024.


tured on the Comedy Network, Disney, Global, CTV, City TV, OMNI TV, YTV, CHCH TV, The W Network, Rogers Television, MTV and Fuse TV in the United States. He


appeared on


“Canada’s got Talent” on City TV and placed in the top 2 % of all acts across Canada. D’Urzo has also performed at some of the most exclusive gala shows and private parties for some of Holly- wood’s top A-List celebrities. Mike was the Winner of


The Traitors Canada Season 1 on CTV!


www.MegaMagic.ca Here is a promo video from show-


the


https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=bZ2VldLe-NU&t=1s A group block of hotel


rooms for the banquet have been reserved at Ajax Hilton Inn, 500 Beck Crescent, Ajax and Home- wood Suites, 600 Beck Crescent at a discounted rate. Please also use CAA to find cheaper hotels as well. To book a room please con-


tact the Hilton at (905) 686-9400


Racehorse Lameness Prevention Course Starts Online Learning Series off on the Right Foot


Darryl Mitchell Passing


tionately known as “Mitch” lived a great life. Mitch was born February 23rd, 1940 in Toronto to loving parents, George & Dorothy Mitchell. He raised three children, Derek Mitchell, Karen Kennedy and Krista McFar- lane with his wonderful wife Sandra in Toronto. He was a supporter of horse racing since 1983, and was an owner and breeder of nu- merous quarter horses and


Darryl Mitchell, affec-


thoroughbreds. The family moved to Mount Albert, ON in 1985, to be closer to their horses and further pursue their love of horse racing. Mitch is a past vice presi- dent and president of the horse racing association. He was a hard working man who dedicated years to the horse racing association. Mitch is survived in


grandchildren: Aleisha Brewer, Katelyn & Hailey Kennedy, Kaden & Koen McFarlane. As well as his great grandchild: Anna Brewer. He passed away Sat.


death by his loving children, Derek, Karen & Krista. He is also survived by his


Dec 9/23 in Belleville peacefully at Quinte Gar- dens. A celebration of life will be held for him early next year, the exact date is to be determined.


and so much more to learn about lameness in horses. It is probably the most frustrating part of being a horse owner. I’m pretty good at listening to the horse and seeing the signs but I’ve learned a lot more here. If you watch them and really listen they will show you where they hurt. The industry pushes so strongly to keep them on the track running – especially the stan- dardbreds running every week. Some- times they need a break and I need to be a stronger advocate!!! This course will give me more confidence to do that.”


ently when they move.” Noticing and addressing subtle


were very helpful. They showed the bones, ligaments, muscle tissue and how they moved/worked together.” “I am looking at horses differ-


“The videos in the first few units


outline the importance of keeping up to date on the increasing amount of material available on the topic of lameness: “There is a growing knowledge


Racehorse Injury/Lameness Preven- tion & Care course in 2022 and 2023 filled up quickly, receiving great feed- back from students. Repeat partici- pants are encouraged to return to review the material and engage in the lively debates in the discussion fo- rums. Last year there were over 140 posts on hot topics! Student comments from last year


course, developed specifically for the horse racing industry, will be offered from Jan 22 – Feb 2, 2024 and avail- able FREE (value of $95) to the first 100 AGCO and/or SC members li- cence holders who enroll. The first two offerings of the


tario Racing (OR) is partnering with Equine Guelph, Standardbred Canada (SC) and Central Ontario Standard- bred Association to offer three online courses in this winter in priority healthcare areas of lameness, respira- tory and gut health. Sponsored by OR, the Racehorse Injury/Lameness Pre- vention & Care course will be first up in January of 2024. The two-week online short


For a third consecutive year, On-


cues before the horse becomes lame are key to avoiding long lay-offs due to injury. With input from experienced veterinarians and researchers such as Dr. Jeff Thomason, the course is packed full of practical tips delivered in easy-to-understand video presenta- tions. Participants will also glean helpful in- formation about bone remodelling during early training which could help guide decisions in routine exercise regimes.


expert, Dr. Orlaith Cleary who gradu- ated with a veterinary degree from University College Dublin, Ireland in June 2003. Cleary joined the Ontario Equine Hospital team in April 2019. Dr. Cleary’s special interests are in ad- vanced imaging (MRI, CT, scintigra- phy), as well as all aspects of soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. McKee and Cleary will be dis-


cussing common lameness issues and recent research updates for racehorses as well as early detection and preven- tion. You will also learn about the


course instructor and Dr. Orlaith Cleary will be on-hand in week two as guest expert. McKee grew up in the local horse industry. After graduating, she worked in New Jersey at a large equine referral hospital that provided surgical care, lameness, medicine, emergency, and ambulatory practice, followed by a year in equine practice in Alberta before returning to Ontario as a founding partner of McKee-Pow- nall Equine Services. She is certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy through the COAC. Melissa has served on the American Associa- tion of Equine Practitioners Scholar- ship, Racing, Education, and Ethics committees, and is an Equine repre- sentative for the Ontario Animal Health Network. Dr. McKee’s profes- sional interests include lameness, di- agnostic imaging, MRI, VSMT, and racehorse/sports medicine practice. McKee will be joined by guest


Dr. Melissa McKee, Instructor, Racehorse Injury/Lameness Pre- vention & Care course Dr. Melissa McKee will act as


thought provoking information that will help you finish the course better prepared to communicate effectively with your vet. “Lameness and injuries are


ers – Sign up now for the free Race- horse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care starting January 22. Help your racehorses reach their full potential. For those who have never taken an on- line course before, no prior online learning experience is required. Lim- ited registrations available. Be sure to hold the dates and register now for these two-week racing-exclusive on- line courses!


Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care: Jan 22 – Feb 2, 2024


Racehorse Gut Health & Ulcer/Colic Prevention: February 12 – 23, 2024 Racehorse Respiratory Health: March 4 – 15, 2024


ranked as a top three health issue in the Ontario racing industry and we are pleased to make the free course avail- able to trainers and grooms keen on learning about how to reduce the risk through management,” says Gordon Thain, Executive Director, OR. “On- tario Racing is committed to keeping the racing industry up-to-date on the latest information and education in re- gard to equine welfare, safety and per- formance.” Ontario Trainers, Grooms, Own-


once again by Industry Ambassadors, Ruleen Lilley and Renée Kierans, who will be on-hand as peer helpers to as- sist students and ask questions on hot topics. The discussion boards provide


tools used in lameness exams and learn which training notes are most relevant to help your veterinarian come to a diagnosis. McKee and Cleary will be joined


horse’s musculoskeletal system, how they move, best practices for detecting lameness, assessment tools, manage- ment of a lame horse and the latest re- search. You will discover the diagnostic


Sean Slater cusl8r@live.com


Ralph Pearson - 905-243-4501 ralphpearson@bellnet.ca


or Homewood at (866) 460-7456. Limited rooms available. Here is the easy online booking URL to book online for a discount rate room:


Below is your event’s cus-


tom URL link for making reser- vations at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Ajax. Kindly, ensure the link is


copied and pasted in its entirety to work correctly. https://www.hilton.com/en/at- tend-my-event/qrooiawardsban- quet2023/


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