Alberta's 2016 harness racing champions were honoured at the annual Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) Awards Gala on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Edmonton, Alta.

Champion aged pacing mare Tajmeallover was named Horse of the Year for trainer Marjorie Dumont and owners J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, and Tapron Holdings Ltd. The homebred Tajma Hall-Watch Over Me mare dominated the Mares Open all season long, winning 14 of her 27 starts and earning $114,285.

The same connections also campaigned Outlaw Fireball, who swept the two-year-old filly categories.

Gagne was the regular driver of both Tajmeallover and Outlaw Fireball and also drove a pair of three-year-old award winners -- Monstrous, from the Darryl Cutting stable, and the Donna Sarin-trained Outlaw Turn N Burn -- to stakes victories in 2016.

Travis Cullen was named Trainer, Driver and Horseperson of the Year as he dominated the standings at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino before relocating to Ontario. He also earned a nomination for the national O’Brien Award of Horsemanship in 2016.

The Owner of the Year Award was presented to Lorne Duffield and Rod Hennessy, who co-own top three-year-old pacing colt Blue Star Jet, while Connie Kolthammer's Outlaw Stable won Breeder of the Year after producing two Alberta champions, Outlaw Fireball and Outlaw Turn N Burn.

Dr. Jim Rhodes was honoured with the Breeders Award of Recognition for more than 40 years of devotion to the care and well-being of animals and the breeding of Standardbred racehorses.

The Ron McLeod Award of Recognition was presented to Chelsea Chase for her service to the harness racing industry in the province. Chase's passion for the sport is evident in the care she shows for her horses. She has also helped organize many charity race day events, she has worked at the yearling sales and awards banquets and promotes the sport through her photography on social media.

Chris Lancaster received the Rising Star Award while Brinsley Brooking-Lutz was named Caretaker of the Year.

In addition to recognizing the 2016 champions, the banquet was a celebration of the Alberta harness racing industry.

"As much as tonight is about crowning our champions, I really want to acknowledge everyone involved in our industry," said ASHA President Blair Corbeil. "We have been tested beyond most limits, yet we have persevered. This industry is on the verge of better times. We have a solid commitment from government, we have a board of directors that is working hard on your behalf to ensure that Standardbred racing continues its strong growth. This growth and professionalism will ensure we will continue to be leaders in our industry. Best of all, our industry has you. We have some of the best horsemen, owners and breeders in the country right here in Alberta. It is everyone's joint commitment and professionalism that will lead us into a future that looks brighter than it has in many years."

Here is a complete list of the 2016 ASHA Award winners:

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD ALBERTA-SIRED FILLY
Outlaw Fireball
Owners: J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Outlaw Fireball
Owners: J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD ALBERTA-SIRED COLT/GELDING
Senga Nitro
Owner: Ken Gunn

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING
Da Magician
Owner: Serge Masse

CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD ALBERTA-SIRED FILLY
Monstrous
Owner: Warren Fuller

CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Monstrous
Owner: Warren Fuller

CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD ALBERTA-SIRED COLT/GELDING
Outlaw Turn N Burn
Owner: 8113564 Canada Ltd.

CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING
Blue Star Jet
Owners: Lorne Duffield, Rod Hennessy

CHAMPION AGED MARE
Tajmeallover
Owners: J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

CHAMPION AGED HORSE
Audreys Dream
Owners: Ashleigh and Ed Hensley

CLAIMER - FILLIES/MARES
Runway Model
Owners: Jason Hannah, Keith Hannah, Travis Cullen

CLAIMER - HORSES/GELDINGs
Justabitcrazy
Owner: Ryan Grundy

FASTEST GIRL
Tajmeallover
Owners: J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

FASTEST BOY
Sterling Cooper
Owner: Jeffrey Elchuk

RISING STAR
Chris Lancaster

CARETAKER OF THE YEAR
Brinsley Brooking-Lutz
(Brandon Campbell Stable)

TRAINER OF THE YEAR - UNDER 200 STARTS
Brandon Campbell

TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Travis Cullen

DRIVER OF THE YEAR - UNDER 200 STARTS
Serge Masse

DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Travis Cullen

OWNER OF THE YEAR
Lorne Duffield and Rod Hennessy

BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Outlaw Stable

HORSEPERSON OF THE YEAR
Travis Cullen

BREEDERS AWARD OF RECOGNITION
Dr. James Rhodes

RON MCLEOD AWARD OF RECOGNITION
Chelsea Chase

HORSE OF THE YEAR
Tajmeallover
Owners: J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings