Wingberry Farms Named Owner of the Year

In a special ceremony held during the Royal Horse Show, Harry and Shawn Littler of Wingberry Farms were recognized as the 2006 Jump Canada Owner of the Year.

Shawn is a business graduate who has been involved in the horse industry for 20 years. After showing extensively on the Ontario ‘A’ circuit as a junior rider, she recently returned to competition. In 2000, Shawn went into business with her father, Harry, to create Wingberry Farms in King City, ON.

In just six years of operation, they have built the business into a prominent, full scale training, boarding and sales operation. In 2003, the Littler’s teamed up with show jumping rider Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON. Together, they have developed horses through the competitive ranks to the Grand Prix level. A prime example is Stuntman, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Salieri that Shawn and Harry imported from Germany.

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“I absolutely love the way that Margie handles the horses, and I am so happy with how Stuntman has progressed,” commented Shawn Littler, who explained that Gayford also rides some of Wingberry Farms’ other exciting prospects, including the seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Winston. “We really love the sport and the horses, and are so appreciative of Margie for all of her hard work. We are very excited for the future.”

Gayford and Stuntman have formed a great relationship over the past three years, advancing through the jumper ranks with immense success. The pair has been extremely successful this season, winning the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the ‘Kubota’ Collingwood Classic, placing second in the $50,000 Grand Prix at the Caledon National, and finishing third at the CSI-W Caledon Summer Festival in the $100,000 World Cup Grand Prix. They were named the 2006 Jump Canada Series Champions and are currently leading the Canadian League World Cup standings.

“I really enjoy working with Harry and Shawn,” commented Gayford. “They have gone to great lengths to ensure every opportunity for developing this partnership with Stuntman. They are extremely supportive and always have the horses’ best interest in mind. Harry and Shawn are very deserving of this award.”

In recognition of their achievements and their dedication to Canadian show jumping, Shawn and Harry Littler were presented with a Waterford crystal bowl, as well as a Jump Canada Award, in the Ricoh Coliseum prior to the start of the CN World Cup Grand Prix on November 8 in Toronto, ON.

“We feel very honoured, and appreciative of this recognition,” said Shawn Littler. “We love the business and enjoy giving back to the sport.”