James A. Whelan, President of the Ontario Harness Horse Association and Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program and
an Ontario Director of Standardbred Canada, was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Donna Skelly, Ontario Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Skelly, the first woman to hold the revered position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, nominated Whelan in recognition for his leadership and tireless contributions to the Canadian equine agricultural industry.
Whelan recently led the efforts of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) working with government to create the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP), an initiative designed to address the training and placement of skilled workers in the equine agricultural industry throughout Ontario.
Whelan has a long history in the equine industry. Originally from his beloved home province of Prince Edward Island, he has carved out an impressive career sending more than 6,000 starters postward as a trainer and driving in more than 15,000 races. In 2005, he was the Harness Horseman International Award winner as Man of the Year and in 2013, the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to the industry.
The King Charles lll Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the coronation of King Charles lll and Queen Camilla, which took place on May 6, 2023. Recipients must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Whelan, accompanied by his wife Dr. Angela Whelan and children Abi and Marshall, was humbled by the recognition.
“I have spent my entire life trying to give back to an industry and a country that has done so much for me and my family," said Whelan. "I couldn’t have done this on my own and I thank all of those who have helped me along the way. I especially thank my nominator, MPP Donna Skelly, and congratulate her on her historic election as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The equine agricultural is one big family. I am proud to be a part of it and pledge to continue to work as hard as I can to sustain and grow the industry for generations to come."
(With files from OHHA)