The P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association (PEISHOA) Awards Banquet was held last night (Saturday, April 29) at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.
A sold out crowd attended the event to see the stars of the 2022 harness racing season honoured and listen to guest speaker Dan Fisher from TROT Magazine. Fisher's down-to-earth style of speaking made for an enjoyable evening.
Again this year, the PEISHOA recognized four more horsemen, adding them to its Harness Racing Industry Builders Wall of Fame. This year's inductees included Ronnie Gass, Clarkie Smith, Alex MacPhee and Tom Clark. These horsemen have had a huge impact on the P.E.I. harness racing over the years and have truly help build this industry.
Horse of the Year for 2022 was awarded to Therealprincess, owned by trainer Eddie Doucette, Blaine Thibeau, Gordon MacLeod and Grant Mann.
Below is a list of all the winners.
Horse Awards:
Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt – Irish Ray
Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly – Camco Erin
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt – Woodmere Dealer
Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly – Our Girl Annie
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt – Up Helly AA
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly – Along For The Ride
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt – Stash It Away
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly – Therealprincess
Claiming Horse of the Year – Premier Joy A
Claiming Mare of the Year – Woodmere Rollily and Elmgrove Mistress (tie)
Aged Trotting Horse – Freddie
Aged Trotting Mare – Jessiejesorjessica
Aged Pacing Horse – Time To Dance
Aged Pacing Mare – Dreamfair Zenfire
Fan Favourite – Jeb
Pacer of the Year – Therealprincess
Trotter of the Year – Irish Ray
Horse of the Year – Therealprincess
Horseperson Awards:
Rising Star – Adian Hughes, Liam Myers, Tyler Neill, Brielle and Mila Campbell
Female Groom of the Year – Brittany Watts-Dowling
Male Groom of the Year – Dyland Sutherland
Rookie Driver of the Year – Damian McLellan
Leading Percentage Driver – Marc Campbell
Leading Dash Winning Driver – Marc Campbell
Leading Percentage Trainer Between 25-75 Starts – Kevin MacLean
Leading Percentage Trainer Over 75 Starts – Marc Campbell
Leading Dash Winning Trainer – Marc Campbell
Appreciation Award – Steve Pineau
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year – Danny Birt
Arnold Weeks Sportsmanship Award – Stacey Darrah
Horsewoman of the Year – Ambyr Campbell
Horseman of the Year – Myles Heffernan Sr.
Industry Builders – Ronnie Gass, Clarkie Smith, Alex MacPhee and Tom Clark
Kentucky of Canada Award – Government of P.E.I.
Dr. Kathleen MacMillan presents the 2022 Horse of the Year Award, sponsored by Atlantic Vet College, to owners Gordon MacLeod (far left), Blain Thibeau and Eddie Doucette.
The Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year Award was presented to Danny Birt (right) by Standardbred Canada Director Bruce Wood.
The Horseman of the Year Award, sponsored by Red Shores, was presented to Myles Heffernan Sr. (left) by Lee Drake, Manager of Racing and Broadcasting at Red Shores.
Jennifer Evans (right) presents the Horsewoman of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hot 105.5 and Ocean, to Ambyr Campbell (centre), who is joined by daughters Brielle and Myla.
Guest speaker Dan Fisher of TROT Magazine pictured with PEISHOA President James Perrot.
(With files from PEISHOA)