Will O’ Wind Farm in Mono, Ontario, site of decades of horse trials and the host venue of the cross-country phase of eventing at the Pan American Games in 2015, will cease organizing and holding competitions as owners Ann and Geoff Morgan retire.
The facility was opened in 1979 and has hosted national and international events to FEI CCI3* level, the Ontario Provincial Eventing Championships, as well as grass-roots schooling shows and clinics. Ann Morgan remarked on the facilities’ Facebook page: “We have been welcoming competitors for over 25 years. We ran our first sanctioned Horse Trials July 15, 2001. There was a Training Division (37 entries), PreTraining (30), Entry (31). It has been a great ride!”
The response to the announcement from current and former competitors and friends has been massive. In a related post, course designer and builder Jay Hambly thanked the couple, saying, “Took a chance on me a long long time ago. Gave me a shot designing and building. I am forever grateful. A bit sad and will find myself a little lost every July every fall and every spring. It was work and fun through weeks of heat wind rain sleet and snow. Massive downpours. Long droughts. We persevered and problem solved… This show has helped many qualify and prepare. It won’t be replaced. But I do hope we can find a venue to fill a portion of the hole.”
Ann Morgan has been touched by the reaction, especially the flood of nostalgic images being posted on their Facebook pages. “It’s been the people over all these years – the officials, the judges, our wonderful volunteers. We have a wonderful group of people and a lot of them have been with us right from day one. It’s family; that’s going to be the toughest part, not not seeing these wonderful friends and neighbors and volunteers every summer.”
Ann in unsure of plans going forward, but for now, “I think we’re just going to sit back and take a deep breath and enjoy the property. I’m looking forward to having a bit more time to enjoy my own horses, and to Geoff and I being able to spend more time together without thinking about the horse show. I’m also going to ease up on cutting grass!” she added, laughing, about the 80 acres she has had to mow for decades. At some point the cross-country jumps, some stadium fences and dressage rings will be sold. Ann hints that they may even have a fun day or an auction next year.
Ashley Maxie of Struck Apparel summed it up beautifully on Facebook: “Such an incredible event, you and Geoff Morgan have created an amazing legacy. The farm definitely has a touch of magic to it, and the eventing world will be a bit darker without your date on the calendar. I don’t know a single person out there that wouldn’t agree Will O Wind holds a very special place in their hearts.
“It’s the end of an era, but you and Geoff have worked so hard to create and maintain an event of such quality, you more than deserve a happy and fulfilling retirement!”
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