Ronnie Gass of Cornwall P.E.I., a 50-year veteran of harness racing, was named the Horseperson of the Year at the sold out P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association awards banquet on Saturday evening (April 8) in Charlottetown.
Gass, his wife Dianne, children Shelley and Stephen, along with granddaughter Alexis, operate Dusty Lane Farms, a Standardbred nursery and training centre.
(Photo courtesy Gail MacDonald)
D Gs Camme was named Horse of the Year, in recognition of his successful Invitational level campaign in which he was a 10-time winner, including a clocking of 1:53.2 with earnings of over $32,000. D Gs Camme is owned by Hal and Quentin Bevan, Ron Matheson and Tom Clark, trained by Jackie Matheson, and primarily driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Fred Paynter and Wendy MacRae were named Active Horseman and Horsewoman of the Wear, and Wicked Nick was named Trotter of the Year.
Hall of Famer and multiple O’Brien Award winner Bob McIntosh was the guest speaker and captivated the crowd with his discussion on his career achievements and champion horses over the years.
A complete list of award winners is below:
Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt
Wicked Nick
Bred by Meridian Farms, owned by Peter Buchanan and Cam Trail, trained and driven by Gary Chappell.
Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly
Mary Leah
Bred by Meridian Farms, co-owned by Dan Ross, Bill Andrew, and Boyd MacDonald, trained and driven by Danny MacDonald.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt
Complete Player
Owned by David Kennedy, trained by Tom Weatherbie, driven by Mark Bradley.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Shesaroyal Cowgirl
Bred by Lowell Balderston, owned by Bill and Brian Andrew, trained and driven by Mark Bradley.
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt
Mr Bower
Bred by Eldred Nicholson, owned by Wade Pecconi, trained and driven by Kenny Arsenault.
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly
Howmac Gypsy
Bred by Howmac Farms, co-owned and trained by Ralph Annear, co-owned by Steven Sorrie, driven by Jack Panting.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt
Beaus Cowboy
Bred by Basil Hunter, owned by Alex MacPhee, trained by Ronnie Gass, driven by Adam Merner, Corey MacPherson, and Walter Cheverie.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly
All About Madi
Bred, trained, and owned by Leith Waite, primarily driven by Walter Cheverie.
Claiming Horse of the Year
Eagle Jolt
Owned by Wilbur and Marie MacDonald, trained and driven by Marc Campbell.
Aged Trotting Horse
Freddie
Owned by the Three Wise Man Stable's Ray Murphy, Kent Scales, and Fred MacDonald, trained and driven by Marc Campbell.
Aged Trotting Mare
Thunderaway
Owned by Foxy Hall Racing, trained and driven by Jason Hughes.
Aged Pacing Horse
D Gs Camme
Owned by Hal and Quentin Bevan, Ron Matheson and Tom Clark, trained by Jackie Matheson, primarily driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Aged Pacing Mare
Ramblinglily
Co-owned by Normand Leger, co-owned and trained by Allan Jones, primarily driven by Walter Cheverie.
Fan Favourite Award
Roscoes Child
Owned by the Selkirk Stable, trained by Raymond White, primarily driven by Corey MacPherson.
Trotter of the Year
Wicked Nick
Bred by Meridian Farms, owned by Peter Buchanan and Cam Trail, trained and driven by Gary Chappell.
Pacer of the Year
D Gs Camme
Owned by Hal and Quentin Bevan, Ron Matheson and Tom Clark, trained by Jackie Matheson, primarily driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Horse of the Year
D Gs Camme
Owned by Hal and Quentin Bevan, Ron Matheson and Tom Clark, trained by Jackie Matheson, primarily driven by Gilles Barrieau.
Rising Star Award
Gracie Sorrie, Macie Sorrie, Alexis Gass, Abby Clow, and Dylan Sutherland
Grooms of the Year
Tessa MacKinnon and Darryl Huntley
Mr Trot Challenge
Kenny Arsenault
The top driver based on points earned in trotting races at the CDP during the year.
Rookie Driver
Ryan DesRoches
Leading Percentage Driver
Gilles Barrieau (0.456 URS)
Highest percentage driver, with a minimum of 100 drives.
Leading Dash-Winning Driver
Marc Campbell (a record-setting 144 wins)
Leading Percentage Trainer
Marc Campbell (0.428 URS)
Highest percentage trainer, with a minimum of 100 starts at the CDP.
Leading Dash Winning Trainer
Jackie Matheson (64 wins)
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year
Don and Steven MacRae
Most Dedicated Horseperson
Ralph Sweet
Active Horseman Award
Fred Paynter
Active Horsewoman Award
Wendy MacRae
Horseperson of the Year
Ronnie Gass