The Champions of Alberta were celebrated at the 2018 Alberta Standardbred Horse Association's annual Awards Gala on Friday (March 22) at the Apple Creek Golf Course in Airdrie.

Industry partners from Horse Racing Alberta, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, The Track on 2, the ASHA, as well as many sponsors, owners, breeders and horsepeople were on-hand to congratulate those who excelled in 2018.

Exit Smiling and Jamie Gray definitely made their mark this year. Exit Smiling was victorious in winning Three-Year-Old Alberta-Sired Colt as well as the prestigious title of Horse of the Year. Exit Smiling was trained and driven by Gray, who co-owned with Fred Gillis, Geoff Smith and Natasha Peiskar. Gray also won Trainer of the Year under 200 starts and Horseperson of the Year.

The Ron McLeod Award was presented to Shelley Gray. Shelley has dedicated many years to the industry starting out driving the starting gate some years ago in Saskatchewan. Shelley is also the Standardbred Canada Field Rep, Chart Caller, and she can be found in the barn every morning working hard alongside husband/trainer Jamie.

Longtime owner and breeder Richard (Dick) Schneider was honoured with the Breeders Award of Recognition for over 30 years of dedication to the industry. Dick has bred, owned, trained and driven Standardbreds over many years. Both of his sons, Richard & Quentin have carried on the family tradition and are well involved in the Standardbred Industry racing across Western Canada and into the United States.

The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association was also pleased to present two new awards this year. The Meadowlark Farms-Sponsored Breeder of the Year under Six Mares went to longtime Owner/Breeders Jim McPhail & George Rogers. The ASHA Director’s Award, presented by ASHA staff, went to John Hind for his many years of service.

ASHA would like to thank its many sponsors for making this night a huge success including new sponsors for this year, Alberta Veterinary Center, Exit Smiling Group, and The Raynmen.

The complete list of winners appears below.

Two-Year-Old Alberta-Sired Filly
Rockin Mystery
Owners: Blair Miller & Rod Therres

Two-Year-Old Filly
Lady Neigh Neigh
Owners: Christopher Lambie & Christopher Lancaster

Two-Year-Old Alberta Colt & Gelding
Outlawgrabbingears
Owners: Paul & Nicole Davies and Deborah Pinel

Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding
Outlawgrabbingears
Owners: Paul & Nicole Davies and Deborah Pinel

Three-Year-Old Alberta Filly
Maid In Alberta
Owner: Don Richardson

Three-Year-Old Filly
Cusdmagicdragon
Owners: Blair & Erna Corbeil, Kelly Hoerdt

Three-Year-Old Alberta Colt & Gelding
Exit Smiling
Owners: Fred Gillis, Geoff Smith, Natasha Peiskar, Jamie Gray

Three-Year-Old Colt & Gelding
Cheddar Jack
Owners: Lorne Duffield & Diane Hennessy

Champion Aged Mare
Tajmeallover
Owners: JF Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

Champion Aged Horse
Iwontdothatagain
Owners: Kelly Hoerdt & Ed Keryliuk

Claimer (Fillies and Mares)
Big Shir
Owners: Derek Gilbert, Christopher Lambie, Christopher Lancaster

Claimer (Colt and Gelding)
Gray Zee
Owners: David Lamont & Donna Wyse

Trainer Under 200 Starts
Jamie Gray

Driver Under 200 Starts
Brian Gray

Trainer Of The Year
Kelly Hoerdt

Driver Of The Year
Brandon Campbell

Horseperson Of The Year
Jamie Gray

Owner Of The Year
Donald Richardson

Breeder Of The Year
Meridian Farms - Bill Andrew

Breeder Of The Year Under Six Mares
George Rogers & Jim McPhail

Fastest Girl
Tajmeallover (1:53.3)
Owners: JF Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar, Tapron Holdings

Fastest Boy
Iwontdothatagain (1:51.4)
Owners: Kelly Hoerdt & Ed Keryliuk

Rising Star
Kaitlin Haining

Caretaker Of The Year
Linda Stahl

Breeders Award Of Recognition
Dick Schneider

Ron McLeod Award Of Recognition
Shelley Gray

ASHA Director’s Award
John Hind

Horse Of The Year
Exit Smiling
Owners: Fred Gillis, Geoff Smith, Natasha Peiskar, Jamie Gray

(with files from ASHA)