22/ JUNE 2024 THE RIDER


President 1st Vice 2nd Vice


Past Pres. Treasurer Secretary


Ontario Quarter Horse Association Inc. 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Shari Irwin


Area 1 Director


Sandra Duhamel Katie Thompson Sherrill Tisdale Carrie Farr Val Love


shari_irwin@hotmail.com duhamel.sandra@gmail.com


oqhasherrill@gmail.com Carrie50f@gmail.com vlove@sympatico.ca


www.oqha.on.ca • info@oqha.on.ca Affiliate OQHA Queen Introduction and Contest Promotion


Dear OQHA Members and Sup- porters, My name is Gabrielle Bella,


and this year I am honoured to step into the role of the 2024 On- tario Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) Queen. In this role, I get to represent our Ontario Quarter Horse community as the Official First Lady and spokesperson, representing values of beauty, grace, intelligence, and horse- manship while cherishing and promoting our Western way of life! Throughout this year, I’ll serve as the OQHA’s ambassador at various shows across Ontario, assisting show management as much as I can in helping to coor- dinate and organize special events and recognizing excel- lence through award presenta- tions in and out of the show ring. Being a role model for our youth is a responsibility I deeply cher- ish, alongside the values upheld by the Queen Contest. All-American Quarter Horse


OQHA SHOW DATES


son includes following horse shows for 2024:


The OQHA Show sea-


Area 3 Summerama - Thornton, ON - June 29- July 2, 2024


EOQHA Hot Hot Sizzler Circuit - Carp, ON - Au- gust 1-4, 2024


OQHA Summer Finale - Ancaster, ON - August 28- September 1, 2024.


www.oqha.on.ca for more information and details.


Please see


Congress Queen Competition This October, I’m proud to


represent the OQHA at the pres- tigious All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen Competi- tion. This event, steeped in a tra- dition spanning over 50 years, celebrates the essence of horse- manship through various chal- lenges,


including an oral


interview, a written test centered on the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) rulebook, and a horsemanship pattern with either your own horse or a horse someone has graciously let you borrow. The journey to this com- petition is both thrilling and re- warding,


growth and representing our OQHA community with pride.


Welcoming Sponsorship Sponsorship has long played


a vital role in supporting the en- deavours of the OQHA Queen. Through the generosity of spon- sors from the equine industry and


local communities, our Queen’s journey becomes more enriching and impactful. As a university student, navigating this role comes with its challenges. Yet, with the support of sponsors, I’m able to better fulfill my duties and represent our association to the fullest. Contributions, whether in the form of sponsorships or part- nerships greatly assist with travel, skill development, and en- suring a professional and pol- ished presence throughout my duties.


How You Can Support Your involvement matters


fostering personal


deeply to the success of my jour- ney as this year’s OQHA Queen. By supporting our endeavours, you not only contribute to my personal growth but also invest in the future of our association and the promotion of our shared ado- ration for the beloved Quarter Horse. Your support provides in- valuable opportunities for expo-


sure, as we proudly showcase our sponsors on various platforms, including the official 2024 OQHA Queen Facebook page and at major Quarter Horse events across the province.


Join Us Your


support, whether


through sponsorship or simply spreading the word, fuels our passion and commitment to ex- cellence. I’m eager to embark on this journey together and make 2024 a year to remember for the OQHA and beyond!


You can contact me via my


official Facebook page: 2024 On- tario Quarter Horse Association Queen Gabrielle Bella - … Or by email: gabrielle- bella004@gmail.com


Gabrielle Bella 2024 OQHA Queen


The Quarter Horses are Back at Ajax Downs


AJAX DOWNS, MAY 7, 2024 - Hold on to your hats, the Quarter Horses are back! AJAX DOWNS opens its 55th racing season on Wednesday, May 8 with its first of 25 racing dates at the popular fan-friendly racetrack. First race post time on opening day is 1:30 p.m. and racing will be held each Wednesday except for the ‘special event’ Sundays each month in the summer and Thanksgiving Monday, October 14. Fresh off yet another successful season in which wa-


gering set new records, Ajax Downs attracts big crowds that can get up close to the horses and riders while enjoy- ing trackside food in a picnic setting. In 2023, the track also introduced the first ‘Battle of the Breeds’ race, which pitted Quarter Horses against Thoroughbreds in a dash around a turn. Azures Royalty, a Quarter Horse, won the first Battle of the Breeds and the track plans to have a cou- ple of these races each month. “We noticed a lot of new folks coming out last year,’ said Emilio Trotta, General Manager of Ajax Downs. “We


set another wagering record handle as we were up 13 per- cent, even with the industry-wide horse population issue. Our goal is to show the fans a good time, offer giveaways and prizes, and get them involved in the race day itself.” This year’s on-track event Sundays include the pop-


ular Father’s Day card on June 16, Craft Brewery Day on July 21, Family Fun Day benefitting the Lakeridge Hos- pital on Aug. 25, Labour Day on Sept. 1 and United Way Day on Oct.14. Companies and groups can also reserve the beautiful VIP room overlooking the finish line for meetings and events. “We are fortunate with our track because people can


get pretty close to the action,” said Trotta. “You can feel the ground move as they race past you at 60-70 kilometers an hour and see the dirt flying. It’s a rush.” The 2024 season begins with a big way Wednesday


as the top two juvenile colts of 2023, GENERAL SKY- WALKER and SUGAR N PRIDE renew their rivalry in the first race of the day at 250 yards. General Skywalker,


Platinum Sponsors: Great Shows,


Great Horses, Great Friends


2024 Executive & Board of Directors


President: Cheryl Norris, 613-608-3608, snappysdevil@aol.com


Vice-President: Barb Downer Secretary: Sheryl Chillson Treasurer: Sandra Duhamel Past President: Shawna Crawford


Directors: Doug MacDougall Janey MacDougall


Colleen McFadden Debbie Haughton Leanne Karoles


Rod Jeffries


Cheryl & Jamie Norris Linda & Scott Berwick


David Graham


Gilles Seguin & Debbie Haughton


owned by Marie Broadstock, won two of eight races last year including the Stallion Auction Futurity. He finished a close third in the biggest race of the season, the $76,000 Alex Picov Futurity in his final outing. Ramiro Castillo, second in the rider standings last year to Brian Bell, will partner General Skywalker. Sugar N Pride defeated his rival in the $60,000 On-


tario Sires Futurity in September and won two of his six races for owner George Coleman. Rachael Isaacs is the regular rider for Sugar N Pride. Parking and admission are always free at Ajax


Downs. You can watch and wager on the races from track- side or the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com which offers a 3 per- cent Cash Back promotion if you wager $40 on the Ajax Downs races. Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns


and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com for news, se- lections, and more information.


Check out our facebook page Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association for more information


www.eoqha.com


Area 2 Director Greg Dubiel Area 3 Director Area 4 Director Area 5 Director Area 6 Director Area 7 Director AQHA Director


Val Love


Blair Woodley Kathy Patterson


Lindsay Allen Andrew Dewar Sheryl Chillson Jane Cryderman


dewarperformancehores@hotmail.com vlove@sympatico.ca


sherylchillson@gmail.com Blair.woodley@outlook.com waywestqh@gmail.com tbrkathy@hsfx.ca


Check out our website for the latest OQHA information!


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