RAY LAVIOLETTE

This year's inductee into the EOQHA Hall of Fame is a life member of
EOQHA who has been actively involved in the association since its inception.
Some founding members of the association have come and gone, but this
member is probably the only one who has remained a continuous, strong
and loyal supporter of the Association from the very beginning. His support
has taken many forms, from showing, working at the shows, offering advice
and guidance and even cooking for a crowd!! If his trailer is not spotted by
exhibitors entering the Carp Fair grounds everyone panics! You will always
see a group of friends, laughing and sitting around his trailer at the shows.
His presence on the dance floor of every EOQHA banquet is a foregone
conclusion

He has not only supported EOQHA but has also been an active supporter
of many other local associations and clubs. He was a founding member of
the Eastern Ontario Reining Horse Association and hosted many shows at
his home. He has supported Quebec AQQH and NRHA shows on a regular
basis. He is not only well known and respected by EOQHA members, but
was recognized on the CTV Ottawa television series “Regional Contact” for
his exceptional talent as a world renound hand-crafted saddle maker. His
workmanship is unparalled and his saddles are sought after by riders in every
Western discipline across Canada, the US and Europe.

Yes, by now you will have realized that our latest inductee into the 2011
EOQHA Hall of Fame is our Friend Ray Laviolette and I can't think of anyone
more deserving of this recognition.

DIANNE RUNTZ

There is so much to be said about this inductee - all great. She has been a loyal
and active supporter of EOQHA as a Life Member since its formation in 1981.

She has been a very successful competitor in both Amateur and Open
competition, but for her it is not all about winning it is about the enjoyment of the
sport and being with friends. She is quick to offer support and encouragement
to fellow exhibitors when needed and has the knack of making you laugh and
feeling good about yourself. She is always the first one to jump up and offer
assistance , no matter what the duty is.

This inductee has been part of the EOQHA Executive since 1991 - serving 4
years as President, 2 years as Past President, 1 year as Vice-President, 9 years
as Treasurer and 4 years as a Director.

I can't imagine an EOQHA show or social event without Dianne Runtz, our 2011
Inductee into the EOQHA Hall of Fame.

Murray Whiticar with family and friends was the 2009 Hall of Fame inductee.

Way back, MURRAY WHITICAR ran 16 AQHA shows in various locations in the Ottawa valley including 10 at the original Dwyer Hill farms, 1 in Manotick, 2 in Carp, 1 in Landsdowne, 1 in Hawkesbury and 1 at the Central Canada Exhibition.
He bought his first Quarter horse “Mikes King Boy”, a grandson of King P234 from Jim Senos in the late 60’s and showed him successfully with the Ottawa Valley Western Horse Association in Reining and Western Riding.  He actively shown in AQHA shows as well, twice qualified for the World Show in reining with Ria Clymer, and was Ontario’s High Point Amateur in Pleasure Driving one year with Bar Bob Missile.

Murray is currently an active member of the National Reining Horse Association and the Quebec Reining Horse Association, where he has won several NRHA pewter trophies in Limited Non-pro and Novice Horse Non-pro Reining. Murray is still be seen competing at our own EOQHA shows.

Murray has spent many hours, at on the Executive of many different Associations, fairs, and shows doing his part to make sure there would always be horse shows there for others to enjoy.

Ray Laviolette accepts the Hall of Fame award on behalf of the late Bill Borland.

BILL BORLAND was a loyal and devoted husband and father.  He was always the groom for his daughter Brenda, who showed for years at EOQHA shows and Paint shows.  
Unfortunately, Bill passed away in 2008. Bill was a lifetime member of EOQHA.  He played a huge part in the Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association; mainly behind the scenes, but served as president in 1994.   
Bill was on the board of directors in 1983 but was actively involved for many years after.  He served as President, treasurer and show manager booking flights, hotels and picking up the judges.

He truly was a work horse, with many volunteer hours.  Bill enjoyed doing many odd jobs but one job he did not enjoy was setting up for trail.   
Bill was dedicated to this association. He played a huge part in announcing for many years. One memory that stands out was when he would call out results of a particular horse.  It was a tongue twister. Lil’s Little Luxury and owned by Laurie Lee Leeder.  He had to get his mouth around it but he always worked through it, even though it was frustrating.  We could always joke about it and it gave us a good laugh for the day

Bill arranged many banquets through his connections at Party World.  He got tables, chairs, centerpieces and all the food items.  
Bill Borland was the type of person who didn’t need any guidance; he did any job to the best of his ability.  He will be missed by his fellow friends at EOQHA and may his memory live on within this association.

Cheryl Norris (centre) and Dianne Runtz (right) present Hilda Quesnel the
Hall of fame award in honour of her
late husband, Roger.

ROGER QUESNEL It has been a great honor and pleasure for Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association to have been associated with Roger Quesnel. Roger was a life member as well as one of the founding members of EOQHA in 1981, when a group of Quarter Horse enthusiasts met in the basement of Al's Steak House in Bells Corners to discuss the formation of what was to become the Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association.   That night, Roger agreed wholeheartedly to become the first treasurer of the Association and without a doubt did an outstanding job. He served as a member of the executive for many years and took on the job of President in 1986 and again in 1989.   

As President, Treasurer and Executive member, Roger was always a team player.  He came up with great ideas, offered good advice, listened to other's opinions and kept an open mind.  He always was interested in what was best for the Association. It is safe to say that Roger played a very large part in making the EOQHA the tremendous success that it is today. 

Roger was always available to help out at the shows, often acting as Ring Steward and Announcer. He was also a great liaison between the Association and the AQHA judges. 
Roger loved showing, especially in Pleasure Driving, but more importantly, he loved the people. He was supportive and helpful to everyone and was always there to give a helping hand and a word of advice and encouragement to other exhibitors. He was a very knowledgeable horseman and loved to share that knowledge. He loved the camaraderie at the shows. Roger also loved a good party and never missed the year end EOQHA banquets, often acting as Master of Ceremonies. He had an infectious laugh and was the kind of person people gravitated to. 

Roger was a positive, optimistic, fun-loving and sincere friend and he will be missed by everyone. He was inspiration. To so many people and was a firm believer in living life to the fullest and overcoming the obstacles life hands you. 
The Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association will forever remember Roger Quesnel and the contribution he made to it. 

Cheryl Norris (left) and Dianne Runtz (right) present Dave Quesnel with the
Hall of Fame award

DAVE QUESNEL had a vision. A vision of registered quarter horse shows being held in Eastern Ontario.  A vision which would enable quarter horse owners the opportunity to compete for AQHA points without traveling hundreds of miles.   The valley had some very good top notch quarter horses showing at the local club shows, and these very same quarter horses, when shown at registered quarter horse shows across Canada, Quebec and USA, did very well.   He put the word out, by word of mouth, that anyone interested in starting a quarter horse club here in Eastern Ontario should come out to Al's Steak House in Bells Corners for a meeting. I don't think anyone thought there would be the turnout there was. The place was standing room only with people packed in shoulder to shoulder. There, that night, our First Executive was put in place, and the rest is HISTORY. 

Dave was very dedicated to bringing the best quality quarter horses into the valley, breeding the Two Eyed Jack bloodlines with his stallions, Jack O'Neil and Two Eyed Handshaker.  He also trained these horses and completed successfully with them and their off spring.  He was a great competitor who was well liked and respected by all. 

He was instrumental in getting the EOQHA by-Laws written and approved which was no small feat, and also was responsible for the design of the EOQHA  Logo.  The meetings he chaired were well run and organized but definitely never DULL.  Some very animated and memorable discussion took place around the table- discussions which ultimately affected the growth of this great association. He was always hard-working, with great ideas and a passion to make this first registered quarter horse association in Eastern Ontario a success. 

When the Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association needed a place to call home, Dave and his brothers offered their farm, 4 Island Farm located in Aston, to the Club. EOQHA showed there for many years before moving to its present location in Carp. 

This man, with his vision, became our very first EOQHA President and also is a life member of the association. He is why we are here today, showing quarter horses in Eastern Ontario. This Man is Dave Quesnel.