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Second OEF Provincial Saddle Seat Championship Held



The second Ontario Provincial Saddle Seat Championship was held this fall at the Saddlebred Classic Horse Show, a multi-breed show organized by the American Saddle Horse Association of Ontario.

This year three competitors declared their qualifications for this championship. Riders were required to perform both rail work and a pattern as described in the EC Saddle Seat rules. The judge, Mrs. Cecile Hetzel-Dunn, from Weirsdale, Fla., enhanced the required pattern so that it rode smoothly, providing each exhibitor the opportunity to show skill and individuality. Meredith Peterkin from Greenwood rode off with the championship riding her Saddlebred gelding Callaway’s Will Oblige. This was the second provincial championship win for Meredith. Reserve champion was Alexandra Chretien from Oakville riding her Saddlebred mare Phoenix’s Sunshine. In third place was Lisa Kavanagh from Port Perry riding her Morgan mare Saralin’s Markessa. We can now look forward to seeing Meredith and Lisa in the Adult equitation division next year.

Once again, the riders took home an armful of prizes. The champion was awarded a beautiful championship rosette, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Hawkshaw; a gold medallion, sponsored by Richard MacKenzie; a bouquet of red roses, sponsored by Mary Ruth Moore; an exquisite handmade Weymouth show bridle, sponsored by David Freedman of Freedman Harness; a beautiful handmade leather halter with an attached championship brass name plate, sponsored by Donna St. Louis of St. Louis Harness; a unique one-of-a-kind hand painted decorative plate and coffee mug by artist Jill Bethune-Williams and sponsored by Pam Keast of Joyful Creations and a package of horse treats sponsored by Cher Toal of Mairzy Doats.

The reserve champion received a reserve champion rosette, a silver medallion, a bouquet of red roses, a saddle suit garment bag, sponsored by Twin Maple Farm, a beautifully hand painted groom’s box and a coffee mug, by artist Jill Bethune-Williams and sponsored by Pam Keast of Joyful Creations, and a package of horse treats. Third place winner was awarded a champion rosette, a bronze medallion, a bouquet of red roses, a coffee mug and a package of horse treats.

The OEF Saddle Seat Coaching committee would like to acknowledge the following supporters for their generosity. They are the American Saddle Horse Association of Ontario, Inc., Freedman Harness, St. Louis Harness, Mary Ruth Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Hawkshaw, Richard MacKenzie, Mairzy Doats (Cher Toal of Orono), Joyful Creations (Pam Keast of Stouffville), Twin Maple Farm (Bernie Wings & Bob Vansickle of St. George) and Genevieve Kendell, photographer. A special note, Genevieve is using her artistic talents to create a poster for this championship and will be available shortly. For fine equine artwork, gifts, furniture and clothing, you may contact:

A job well done also went to David Brent, horse show chairman and manager, and the horse show committee for their wonderful co-operation and support. The committee was thrilled to have such an astute and knowledgeable judge as Mrs. Dunn to officiate. She is currently coordinator at the Austin Equine Education Center in Weirsdale, Florida and was one of the judges who evaluated the applicants for the 2004 American team to compete at the World Cup Saddle Seat Equitation Championship held in Lexington, Ky.

The Ontario Provincial Saddle Seat Equitation Championship was developed to support and promote the discipline of saddle seat riding. The rules and regulations for the 2005 championship will be posted on the OEF web site once they have been finalized. Coaches, parents, and riders are encouraged to obtain more information on this provincial championship by contacting the OEF office at 905-709-1867, Mary Ruth Moore at 905-263-2689, Nancy Kavanagh at 905-985-0691 or Bob Vansickle at 519-448-1114.

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