CTHS Honours Top Thoroughbreds at OHTA Awards Banquet

Rexdale, ON – The CTHS (Ontario Division) was on hand to honour the riders of the top Ontario Thoroughbreds who excelled in their division at the Ontario Horse Trials Association (OHTA) Annual Awards Banquet held at the Kleinburg Country Club on Saturday, November 4. Thoroughbred Awards were presented by Barbara Sheridan, Marketing and Promotions Co-Ordinator for the CTHS, to the following OHTA winners:

Sandy Webster, owner of Canadian Quill for the Training Division.
Anna McDonald, owner of A Splash A That for the Open Training Division.
Daelin Verkindt, owner of Simply Ben for the Preliminary Division.
Lindsay Mahon, owner of Not Your Average Joe for the Open Preliminary division.
Dr. Ushe Knabe, owner of Eric for the Intermediate Division.
Janette Leask, owner of Rather Well for the Advanced Division.

The Ontario Horse Trials, comprised of three phases consisting of dressage, cross country jumping, and stadium jumping, are a challenging and exciting sport for competitor and spectator alike. Many Thoroughbred racehorses have found second careers as eventers because of their ability to excel in all three phases.

Each year the OHTA honours a special Ontario-based horse that has been active in Ontario competitions and demonstrated the potential to represent Canada at the National and/or International levels. This year’s OHTA Horse of the Year Award went to Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, Ontario for Paleface, an 11-year-old black Thoroughbred gelding by Cool Halo out of Pistol Packin Moma. Both will be going on to represent Canada in the 2007 Pan American Games.

“Thoroughbreds are highly regarded as tri-athletes of the equestrian world because of their speed and endurance,” said Robin Winn, OHTA President. “And we sincerely appreciate the Ontario CTHS for its generousity in honouring our top competitors with the Thoroughbred award presentations.”

The CTHS proudly recognizes the athletic talents of the Thoroughbred both on and off the track. Through its Performance Thoroughbred Program, the CTHS provides sponsorship to several equine performance events including the OHTA and Polo for Heart, as well as several equine events held annually at the Royal Winter Fair.

For more information on the Performance Thoroughbred Program and the CTHS, please visit cthsont.com or call (416) 675-3602.

For more information on the OHTA or for a complete listing of their award winners, please visit their website at horsetrials.on.ca or by email to corrie@xtranet.com.