The Howard Johnston’s Dutch Inn in Cornwall P.E.I. once again played host to the annual Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association (PEISHOA) awards banquet on Saturday.
The awards honoured the tremendous accomplishments of horse and human during the 2013 season, as well as recognized its horsepeople, for whom many have been involved for decades.
Yet again, the horse community of P.E.I. provided a packed house, and in return, they were treated to another evening of excitement and celebration. This year’s emcee was Lee Drake, Marketing Director for Red Shores in P.E.I., and he graciously performed a great job as host. Drake also was very excited to introduce and welcome the man in the spotlight on the evening, guest speaker Vance Cameron.
Cameron regaled the audience with some of his favourite memories from his vast racing experience and career over the years. As always, Cameron had a great way of weaving his stories and the folks in attendance were thoroughly entertained.
The horse owners association presented the prestigious Kentucky of Canada Award, which recognizes and acknowledges outstanding service to the industry. It is awarded only when merited and was presented tonight for only the fourth time in history. The honouree was the Hon. Wes Sheridan, minister responsible for harness racing on P.E.I.
Amongst the many award winners tonight, the awarding of the Active Horsewomen and Horseman of the Year went to Brian and Isabel MacPhee. Horseperson of the Year recognized longtime participant Don Smith of Pownal, who has been involved in countless capacities over his five decades in the sport. The Horse of the Year honours went to Saulsbrook Alana, owned by Reg MacPherson, trained by Kevin MacLean and driven by Marc Campbell.
The complete list of award winners is below.
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot
Dusty Lane Galaxy - Bred by Ronnie Gass, owned by Peter Buchanan and the Estate of George Boswall, trained and driven by Gary Chappell.
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
Glencove Yoshi - Bred, owned and trained by Carl Bagnall, driven by Mike Stevenson.
Two-Year-Old Colt Pace
Settlement Request - Bred by Tammy Sonier and Neil Bambrick, owned by Alfred Barrieau and Michael Clinton, trained and driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Saulsbrook Alana - Owned by Reg MacPherson, trained by Kevin MacLean and driven by Marc Campbell.
Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Taliesin - Bred by Elwood Lawton, owned by Buntainwood Farm, trained and driven by Marc Campbell.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Howmacs Pride - Bred and co-owned by Howmac Farms, co-owned by Wade Pecconi, trained by Earl Watts.
Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
Forever Paradise - Bred by Art Millar, owned by Reg MacPherson, trained by Kevin MacLean and driven by Marc Campbell.
Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Dianna Santanna - Bred and owned by Doug MacPhee, trained by Tommy Weatherbie, and primarily driven by Brodie MacPhee.
Claiming Horse of the Year
Pinner - Owned by Brian, Lillian, and Kevin Ladner, trained by Brian.
Claiming Mare of the Year
Kaitlyn Rose - Owned and trained by Ralph Sweet, driven by Marc Campbell.
Aged Trotting Horse
Abundaspin - Owned by Mikaela Lustic, trained and driven by Harold Sheppard.
Aged Trotting Mare
Honeymoonisover - Co-owned by Blake Andrew, co-owned, trained and driven by Brian Andrew.
Aged Pacing Horse
Big League - Owned and trained by Jonah Moase.
Aged Pacing Mare
Dirt Track Momma - Owned and trained by Jonah Moase, primarily driven by Marc Campbell.
Fan Favourite Award
Smackwaterjack - Owned, trained and driven by William MacKay.
Pacing Horse of the Year
Saulsbrook Alana - Owned by Reg MacPherson, trained by Kevin MacLean and driven by Marc Campbell.
Trotter of the Year
Abundaspin - Owned by Mikaela Lustic, trained and driven by Harold Sheppard.
Horse of the Year
Saulsbrook Alana - Owned by Reg MacPherson, trained by Kevin MacLean and driven by Marc Campbell.
Grooms of the Year
Drew Neil and Bobbi Jo Gaudet
Mr Trot Challenge
Walter Cheverie
Rookie Driver
Steven Sheppard
Leading Dash Winner
Marc Campbell
Leading Percentage Trainer
Kevin MacLean
Leading Percentage Driver
Marc Campbell
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year
Kenny McInnis
Appreciation Awards
Taylor McGuigan and Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Most Dedicated Horseperson
June Coyle
Horseman/Horsewoman Awards
Isabel MacPhee and Brian MacPhee
Horseperson of the Year
Donald Smith
Kentucky of Canada Recognition Award
Hon. Wes Sheridan
ASBA Awards
As an added bonus of this evening's event, the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association (ASBA) recognized the Prince Edward Island winners of the 2013 Atlantic Breeders Crown.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly: Saulsbrook Alana
Owner's Award – Reg MacPherson
Three-Year-Old Trotter: Taliesin
Owner's Award - Buntainwood Farm
Breeder's Award – Elwood Lawton
Two-Year-Old Trotter: Dusty Lane Galaxy
Owner's Award - Peter Buchanan and the Estate of George Boswall
Breeder's Award – Ronnie Gass
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt: Dumas Walker
Breeder's Award – David and Paul Walker
The Moncton Standardbred Racing Association also presented a trophy to the owner with the most points in the Atlantic Sires Stakes season, Dan Ross.
(With files from PEISHOA)