Island Industry Honours Its Best

The annual awards banquet of the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association was held in Charlottetown on Saturday evening (April 13).

Guest speaker and hometown hero Wally Hennessey entertained the sold-out crowd of over 300. Hennessey touched on topics ranging from his start in the race game at the Charlottetown Driving Park under the guidance of his father, Joe, who Wally described as the best horseman he ever knew. He talked of his experiences with the legendary Moni Maker, one of the great trotters in the sport of harness racing.

The stars of the 2018 season were also honoured throughout the evening. The Marc Campbell Stable continued to dominate this year, as horses from his stable captured many divisional honours, including trotter of the year, which was won Buckaroo, who is owned by Larry and Kathy Chappell.

Reg MacPherson (right) pictured accepting the AVC Equine Ambulator Award for Horse of the Year (Sock It Away) from Dr.Kathleen MacMillian (middle).

Sock It Away, who is owned by Reg MacPherson, took home the coveted Horse of the Year Award. The PEISHOA also took the opportunity to recognize Wally Hennessey’s truly remarkable career by awarding him their most prestigious award – the Kentucky of Canada Award.

Wally Hennessey (left) with Vance Cameron during the question and answer session at the PEISHOA banquet.

Other major award winners were Norman Clarey who was recognized as Active Horseman of the year for his many years of involvement and contribution as a trainer, breeder and industry volunteer. Charlene Cypher was named Active Horsewoman of the Year, while Jeff Lilley was awarded Horseperson of the Year.

Jeff Lilley, the 2019 Horseperson of the Year Award winner, pictured with Dr. Colleen Dickie, president of the PEISHOA.

Dale and Ronnie Rennie were honoured with the Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year award. David and Douglas Neill were awarded the Arnold Weeks Memorial Award, which was established to honour those who truly display great kindness and generosity to fellow horsemen.

Dale and Ronnie Rennie pictured accepting the Standardbred Canada Owners of the Year award from Kent Oakes (far left) and Wally Hennessey (far right).