The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association has announced the winners of its 2020 ASHA Awards — Champions of 2019.

ASHA has stated that the public health restriction placed upon the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic has created the most unusual circumstances, which have in turn prevented ASHA from publicly recognizing its 2019 winners in the form of the annual awards gala.

Icy Blue Scooter has been named the 2020 ASHA Awards -- Champions of 2019 Horse of the Year. The seven-year-old gelded son of Blue Burner is owned by Alberta residents Nathan Sobey (of Sturgeon County), Diane Bertrand (Edmonton) and Robert Gilhespy (Edmonton). The bay was as tough as they come in 2019, as he raced to 16 wins, nine second-place efforts and a lone third from 30 starts. Icy Blue Scooter reigned supreme in multiple Opens during the '19 campaign and also tasted stakes victory.

Rod Hennessy and Michael Hennessey were named trainer and driver of the year, respectively.

The only award remaining under wraps is the ASHA Staff Director's Award, as it's to be a secret until it's officially presented.

The list of winners appears below.

2020 ASHA Awards -- Champions of 2019

Two-Year-Old AB-Sired Filly Winner
SNOW SHARK

Two-Year-Old AB Filly Winner
SNOW SHARK

Two-Year-Old AB-Sired C & G Winner
DONTPOKETHEDRAGON

Two-Year-Old C & G Winner
SPEAKING OF ART

Three-Year-Old AB Sired Filly Winner
MRS SUHWIGGINS

(For additional information on the award winners list above, please click here.)

Three-Year-Old Filly Winner
LADY NEIGH NEIGH

Three-Year-Old AB Sired C & G Winner
OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS

Three-Year-Old C & G Winner
OUTLAW GUNSABLAZIN

Champion Aged Mare
THATS IT

Champion Aged Horse
ICY BLUE SCOOTER

(For additional information on the award winners list above, please click here.)

Claimer (Fillies & Mares)
TAKE ON DA BOYS

Claimer (Colts & Geldings)
CAJUN BEAT

Fastest Girl
LADY NEIGH NEIGH

Fastest Boy
JEWELS DRAGON

(For additional information on the award winners list above, please click here.)

Trainer of the Year – Under 200 Starts
PAUL DAVIES

Driver of the Year – Under 200 Starts
RYAN GRUNDY

Trainer of the Year
ROD HENNESSY

Driver of the Year
MICHAEL HENNESSY

Caretaker of the Year
CHRIS PHILLIPS

Breeder of the Year – Under 6 Mares
ROD STARKEWSKI

(For additional information on the award winners list above, please click here.)

Owner of the Year
LORNE DUFFIELD/ROD HENNESSY

Breeders Award of Recognition
KURT & KATHY SCHMIDT

Breeder of the Year
OUTLAW STABLE

Horseperson of the Year
ROD HENNESSY

ASHA Staff’s Director of the Year
TO BE ANNOUNCED

Horse of the Year
ICY BLUE SCOOTER

(For additional information on the award winners list above, please click here.)

(With files from ASHA)