A capacity crowd was on hand Saturday evening at the Dutch Inn in Cornwall as the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horseowners Association (PEISHOA) recognized the year's best in harness racing
. Leading Canadian trainer Casie Coleman was the guest speaker.
Mike and Judy MacDonald were recognized for their contribution to the industry and their province with the Kentucky of Canada award. Wally and Doris Wood of Woodmere Farms were selected as Horse People of the Year, with Shelley Gass of Cornwall named Horsewomen of the Year. Lowell Stead of Montague was recognized for four decades of involvement in PEI racing as Active Horseman of the Year.
War Dancer, owned by Danny Ross and Boyd MacDonald of P.E.I. and Charles Seymour of New Brunswick was selected as Horse of the Year. War Dancer was a winner of over $58,000 in 2009, and was the Atlantic Breeders Crown Champion.
Trotter of the Year was Scarlet Patti, owned by Gordon MacLean of Winsloe, PEI and driven by his son Darryl. Scarlet Patti was an eleven time winner in 2009, with earnings of over $35,000.
Here is a look at the complete list of winners:
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot
Howmacs Amigo, bred and owned by Howmac Farms, trained by Earl Watts and driven by Earl Smith.
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
Scarlet Patti, owned by Gordon MacLean, trained and driven by Darryl MacLean.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt
Mr Salming, bred by Eldred Nicholson, owned by the Boyd MacDonald and Dan Ross, trained and driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Scootingforsuccess, owned Walter Simmons, trained by George MacGuigan and Wade Sorrie.
Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Firedance Ridge, owned by Donald Dunsford, trained by Jack Arsenault, driven by Kenny Arsenault.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Wiskeyandseven, red by Gordon MacLean and Mike MacDonald, co- owned by Robert MacDonald and trainer-driver Marc Campbell.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt
War Dancer, owned by Dan Ross, Boyd MacDonald and Charles Seymour, trained by Mike Stevenson and Stacy Lund, driven by Mike Stevenson and Gary Chappell.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Darko, owned and trained by Ralph Annear, and driven by Kenny Arsenault.
Claiming Horse of the Year
Beautys Spur, owned and trained by Tyler Moore, primarily driven by Gary Chappell.
Claiming Mare of the Year
Snortin Three, bred by Brian and Fred Collings, owned by Tommy Collings, trained and driven by Jason Hughes.
Aged Trotting Horse
Saulsbrook Balance, trained and owned by Cindy MacDonald, driven by Willie Murphy.
Aged Trotting Mare
Flashy Image, owned by Wilfrid and Calvin Smith, trained by Stacey Lund, driven by Gary Chappell.
Aged Pacing Horse
Outlawpositivcharg, owned by Fred Lamont, trained and driven by Terry Gallant.
Aged Pacing Mare
Olivia Hall, co-owned by Tom Clark and trainer-driver Ron Matheson.
Fan Favourite Award
Ironside, co-owned by Bill Andrew and trainer-driver Brian Andrew.
Pacing Horse of the Year
War Dancer, owned by Dan Ross, Boyd MacDonald and Charles Seymour, trained by Mike Stevenson and Stacy Lund, driven by Mike Stevenson and Gary Chappell.
Trotter of the Year
Scarlet Patti, owned by Gordon MacLean, trained and driven by Darryl MacLean.
Horse of the Year
War Dancer, owned by Dan Ross, Boyd MacDonald and Charles Seymour, trained by Mike Stevenson and Stacy Lund, driven by Mike Stevenson and Gary Chappell.
Grooms of the Year
Ashley Gamester and Jason Collings
Mr Trot Challenge
Corey MacPherson
Rookie Driver
Corey MacPherson
Leading Dash Winner
Kenny Arsenault, 113 wins
Leading Percentage Trainer
Kenny Arsenault, UTRS of .336
Leading Percentage Driver
Mike Stevenson and Walter Cheverie UDRS of .335
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year
Walter Simmons, Summerside
Most Dedicated Horseperson
Terry Affleck, Stratford
Horsewomen of the Year
Shelley Gass, Cornwall
Active Horseman of the Year
Lowell Stead, Montague
Kentucky of Canada Award
Mike and Judy MacDonald, Charlottetown
Horse People of the Year
Wally and Doris Wood of Woodmere Farms, Marshfield
(PEISHOA)