For the second consecutive year, the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association and Standardbred Canada’s 'I Love Canadian Harness Racing' Fan Club are partnering to present a special Mother’s Day Open House event.
On Sunday, May 12, High Stakes Farm in Moffat and Oak Knoll Stables in Campbellcroft will open their gates and farms to the general public from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to showcase their mares, foals and facilities.
The Open House will give the general public an opportunity to get up close and personal with the mares and foals, take a behind the scenes tour of the farm, and talk with the owners about a day in the life of a standardbred breeder.
“Although we have fewer farms taking part, we felt it was important to continue the event after such great results and feedback from last year’s program," commented Walter Parkinson, the recently elected President of the SBOA. "Many of our breeders are trying to cope with challenges as a result of the end of the Slots-at-Racetracks program, which has had a devastating impact on the breeding industry. We want this to continue as an annual event and are hopeful that more farms will take part in future years."
The goal of the program is to educate the general public on the standardbred breeding and racing industry as well as demonstrate the importance of the industry to the rural community and Ontario’s economy.
This is a great opportunity for people who wouldn’t normally have a chance to visit a horse farm to connect with the horses and the people in the standardbred industry.
High Stakes Farm in Moffat, Seelster Farms in Lucan, St. Lads Farm in Ruscom and Twinbrook Farms in Embro took part in the inaugural edition of the Open House last year. More than 1,000 people visited and toured the four farms.
