2008 Judges Announced click here
2008 Show Bills Now Posted click here

Most Recent Ad placed : July 2, 2008

*** Important Notice ***

Please note that EOQHA will be offering 12 days of showing in 2008, based on the same 2007 format. AQHA has denied additional show approvals for 2008. Please visit our shows page for additional information on stalls and updated class lists.

NSBA at The Sizzler

EOQHA is pleased to announce an expansion of our NSBA partnership for the 2008 EOQHA Summer Sizzler.

August 1 & 2 of the EOQHA Sizzler will be dual approved with 2 sets of NSBA points. $500 will be added to the Junior Hunter Under Saddle & Western Please. $500 will also be added to the Senior Hunter Under Saddle & Western Pleasure. In addition EOQHA will offer a NSBA Futurity Jackpot for 2yr old Hunter Under Saddle & Western Pleasure.

NSBA point classes will be offered to Novice Amateur, Amateur, & Select Amateur Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, & Trail. Open Trail & Western Riding, and Amateur Western Riding.

Full entry info is now posted on the Sizzler show bill download it here!

2008June Classic a Record Breaker!

So far this season favorable weather has not been 100% on our side- but despite having to cancel our show on Sunday due to heavy storm activity featuring rain and hail, the 2008 EOQHA June Classic topped our previous record set in 2004 and made this year our biggest June Classic ever!

Being big has a down side to a single day show however, with over a 100 entries more then our average number of entries for a one day show - Friday featured Horsemanship by moonlight with a late 9:30 pm finish time.

EOQHA would like to thanks Miller's Wheel Alignment Ltd. for sponsoring the Saturday night BBQ. The night featured a silent auction hosted by EOQHA and entertainment in the form of timed bobbing for apples run by the youth as a fund raiser. Vanessa Raymand with a time of 9.94 seconds was our champion apple bobber and won the teen division. Jamie Norris and Shareese Reivate tied with a time of 10.04 and had to have a "bob off". Jamie landed the second place spot over all and also won the best adult time award. Shareese won the award for best 10 & under time. Prizes were sponsored by Epona PR.

50/50 draws were held Friday & Saturday with Lise Laviolette & the Wellsey family being the lucky winners winners. Much thanks to Alex & Kyle Berwick, Jarred & Dawson Baker, & Justin Downer for doing an outstanding job selling tickets!

EOQHA would like to thank all those who donated and bid on their silent auction, funds raised will go to support the many social activities that EOQHA hosts through out the year.

Congratulations to Janet Deschambault and Customized Iron on earning the required points this past weekend to qualify for both the AQHA & Select World Shows in Performance Halter Geldings!

EOQHA Announces A New Partnership with
Whitley Insurance and Financial Services

EOQHA proud to introduce Whitley Insurance and Financial Services as sponsors of the 2008 EOQHA Summer Sizzler individual class circuit awards. Each circuit champion of every class offered at the Sizzler will receive a special gift thanks to Whitley Insurance and Financial Services.

Since 1949 Whitley Insurance and Financial Services has continued to change and evolve in order to meet the needs of their customers. In today's world people are confronted with a dizzying array of insurance and financial services, and with many different ways of acquiring these services.

As your independent Insurance Broker and Certified Financial Planner they can help you understand your needs and can tailor a program that provides the best combination of performance and price.

Whitley's exist to provide you, the customer, with the personal attention, prompt day-to-day service, and sound independent advice.

Call Whitley Insurance and Financial Services today for your personalized quote for Home, Auto, Farm, Commercial or Life Insurance today. Visit them at: www.whitleyfinancial.com

June Classic BBQ

Much thanks to Miller's Wheel Alignment Ltd. of Smith Falls, ON the sponsors of the June Classic Exhibitors BBQ!

Hosted Saturday night after the show the BBQ will be set up down near the main show ring, along with a Silent Auction hosted by EOQHA, proceeds will go towards supporting the many social events that EOQHA offers at it's shows.

EOQHA Youth will be providing the entertainment for the night with a special "wacky" class open to everyone with great prizes. The entries of the "wacky" class will be auctioned off in a calcutta with proceeds from that going to help 2008 EOQHA Youth activities.

Spring Fling Re-Cap!

photo by: Lone Oak Photography

EOQHA kicked off its 2008-show season this past weekend! Though Mother Nature was not always smiling on us, it was a show for the history books! With an average of 374 entries per judge, this made our 2008 Spring Fling our second largest show since 2000, just missing topping our 2004 show by a handful of entries per judge!

It was great to see so many new faces at the show, especially in the youth events! The first EOQHA Youth meeting was held on Saturday afternoon, and some very interesting and different activities were discussed, stay tuned for further developments!

We had record attendance at the 2007 Banquet held Saturday night with over 140 people enjoying the chicken & beef dinner provided by Fadi's Fabulous Foods. Following the meal, awards were handed out to the 2007 year end winners. Class winners were presented with decorative wooden tables and party trays. Overall champions received gorgeous Montana Silversmiths Clocks and Statues. We would like to give special thanks to Ray Laviolette of Circle R Saddlery for his assistance in helping the committee choose the awards and also for his generous donation, helping make these awards possible.

Each EOQHA 2007 award winner had their picture taken with Two Bits that AQHYA mascot, who arrived Thursday night from Amarillo Texas. A special thank you Scott Loomis of Waddington New York for "stabbling" Two Bits for a few days. After the awards Two Bits posed for pictures with other EOQHA members and handed out Equine Canada “Horse Week” buttons in honour of the week long national celebration which began Saturday and runs through to June 7.

Caitlin Gifford received the 2007 EOQHA Good Will Award in appreciation for all her dedication and assistance helping EOQHA last year. This award is given out annually to a non board member whose volunteerism was key to that year’s success. Ron & Colby Walkey were the first recipients of a new award presented in memory of the late EOQHA past president Bill Borland. The award will be given annually to an individual or family who have contributed significantly to EOQHA, and went above and beyond. This new award is sponsored by the Hitsman family and friends of Bill. Following the awards "UNWOUND" took to the stage and provided excellent music for the remainder of the evening.

It was a special weekend for EOQHA’s youth assisting The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada in the granting an eight-year-old Ottawa girl her “horse wish”. The special event was featured on CTV click here to watch it.

Full show results and All Around results for individual judges and circuit winners are now posted click here. Thank you to the Dave & Dianne Runtz for sponsoring the 2008 EOQHA Spring Fling circuit awards.

2008 EOQHA Spring Fling Circuit Award Sponsors

EOQHA would simply not exist without the support of many of it's member families! We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people involved with our association, who year after year continue to support our endeavors.

Dave and Dianne Runtz have been there right from the start, some 27 years ago, and through the years have contributed in numerous ways to the success of our shows.

EOQHA is very pleased to present the Runtz family as the Spring Fling Circuit Award sponsors for 2008. Thank you for your support and all the best to you from your extended family at EOQHA.

EOQHA Trail Course Sponsor for 2008

As members of Eastern Ontario's growing equestrian community, Paddocks Plus offers qualified assessments, design, construction and project management services backed with a hands-on knowledge of the industry. As active equestrians we understand your unique challenges and offer products and services developed exclusively for fellow equestrians. Regardless of the scope of your project Paddocks Plus is interested in developing a safe and healthy environment for your horses.

EOQHA would like to thank Paddocks Plus for their assistance with trail obstacles for our 2008 season. Please visit them on their web site.

EOQHA Would like to Thank Hepburn Sales

EOQHA is very lucky to have so many of it's sponsors as friends and showing members of the EOQHA family.

For the third consecutive year Barb, Ron, & Jessie Hepburn owners of Hepburn Sales of Schomberg Ontario will be the official sponsor of the 2008 EOQHA Special Events Show.

The winner of each class at the Special Events show will receive special gift from Hepburn Sales.

Hepburn Sales is your source for new and used horse trailers. Hepburn Sales also welcomes consignments at their location on Highway 9, just east of Highway 27. With more than 70 years of horse and trailering experience between them, you will find the Hepburns are very knowledgeable and understanding of your needs as a customer. Visit their web site at www.hepburnsales.com .

Membership Perks at Tanglewood Tack

EOQHA is pleased to welcome Tanglewood Tack & Mustang Sally's back as partners in EOQHA's Membership 'n More program this year. The versatile and fashionable tack shop located in Pembroke Ontario carries many unique and hard to find brands and serves it's customers both in store and online.

EOQHA members will enjoy a 15% discount at EOQHA shows and 10% off when they visit the store or order online.

In addition to being involved as a Membership 'n More partner Lorelei and her staff are also proud sponsors of EOQHA's 2008 National Snaffle Bit Classes to be hosted at the Summer Sizzler split combine shows August 1st to 4th.

Home Town Support

One of the aspects that makes EOQHA shows so unique, is the beautiful show grounds that we enjoy in Carp Ontario.

We are very pleased to announce a new partnership with the Carp Agricultural Society, and thank them for their support not only through sponsorship but in facilitating the horse industry in Eastern Ontario with such excellent accommodations suitable to horse enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines.

It has been a pleasure hosting our shows at the Carp Fair Grounds, just minutes from our Nation's Capital. Providing the perfect home town atmosphere for our family oriented horse shows.

EOQHA Welcomes Barnies Horse Treats to the Family!

EOQHA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Barnies Horse Treats, as the official product sponsor of the 2008 EOQHA All Novice Show to be held on July 31 as part of the 2008 EOQHA Summer Sizzler. EOQHA is very excited to once again partner with an exclusively Canadian company offering quality horse products created by horse lovers.

"It will remain our goal to make the best, freshest homemade treat.." says Barnies founder Terasa Hill. "We also make it a priority to give back to the horse community by sponsoring and donating to various groups and charities. I started this business for the love of horses and I will always do what I can to support the equestrian community and it's rescues."

Each class at the 2008 EOQHA All Novice Show will have a special give away to a random entry and for non-novice exhibitors, special sample opportunities will be made available through out the day. EOQHA believes this will be fun opportunity for both horses and handlers to have Barnies Horse Treats on board with us this year.

Barnies knows horse treats! Made homemade and fresh, Barnies mean happy horses. Barnies contain horse loving ingredients that's why they love 'em! Be sure to drop by and see them at the EOQHA shows this summer or you can visit them online at www.barnies.ca and order yours today!

'08 Sizzler Updates!!!

Take a Horse (or Two) to School!

Marie Fraser aboard Im a Big League Zippo at St John the Apostle School in Kanata June 24th as part of Take a Horse To School presented by OQHA & EOQHA. Photo courtesy of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

June 24th was a busy and exciting day for AQHA Mascot Two Bits, OQHA Promotions chair and EOQHA youth advisor for Laurie Haughton, EOQHA youth members Joannie Backs and Marie Frasier and their Quarter Horses, An Awesome Vintage and Im a Big League Zippo.

OQHA's "Take a Horse to School " tour team, assisted by Crystal Tolly, Debbie Haughton, and John Backs; visited two Ottawa area schools as an extension of the Horse Wish granted June 1st for new EOQHA Youth member Josée Ross. Josée wanted the opportunity to share her wish with her class mates at St John the Apostle School in Kanata, as well as with the friends she had made two years earlier at Rockcliffe Public school during a student run talent show that raised money to help Josée with her wish.

Both schools had the opportunity to watch the horses demonstrate all four gates and various maneuvers, they learned about programs for kids who have an interest in horses, and had the opportunity to ask their own questions about horses.

Joannie Backs riding An Awesome Vintage for the one hundred and fifty grade 1, 2 & 3 students of Ottawa's Rockcliffe Public School .

"Watching the faces of the students as they realized that two horses were coming onto the school property was absolutely priceless." said Lynn Noel, Fundraising/Volunteer Coordinator for the National Capital Region Chapter of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. "Standing beside Josée and her class mates is a memory that I will treasure for a long time"

"The questions from students were quite broad and detailed, but the most common questions were about size and speed" said Laurie Haughton who provided the commentary for the day. "It was quite a thrill to see how excited these students were when they first caught sight of Two Bits, and then could hardly contain them selves when they got to see our youth riding their horses, the impact of being able to watch a fellow youth perform with these large animals was visible on the student's faces."

Each of the total 450 students that participated between the two schools received Two Bits activity books and "I Love American Quarter Horse" buttons thanks to AQHA. Each of Josée's class mates received T-shirts thanks to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, and certificates from Equine Canada.

The tour was a resounding success, with both schools commenting by email and in person the next day about how excited their students were and how informative the presentation was. Some parents even called the schools to comment on how enthusiastic their children were about telling them all about the horses visiting them at school that day.

The Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association Youth, and the Ontario Quarter Horse Association would like to thank the National Capital Region Chapter of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada for assisting in setting up these tours. As well as a special Thank you to Josée for helping to host the event at both schools. Lastly thank you to the teachers and staff at St John the Apostle School and Rockcliffe Public School for your hospitality and wonderful facilities.

Would you do it again? was a question asked by one of the teachers the following day to Laurie on a follow up visit. "Call me in September to book a day" was Laurie's reply!

Wishes Do Come True

photo by Cheryl Norris

Josée received a wish bigger then she had ever imagined Sunday June 1st at the EOQHA Spring Fling! The eight-year-old from Ottawa who made her wish through The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada in 2006 suffers from a rare blood disorder. Aplastic anemia a serious condition that can develop at any age where the body stops producing enough new blood. As part of her treatment Josée was actually injected with equine antibodies which helped her body establish a healthy immune system as part of her recovery. "To Josée getting this wish is her sign that she is now ok" said her father Robert on Sunday.

While Josée was at a loss for words and a little overwhelmed by the experience, the crowd was at a loss for tissues, even AQHA Judges Bonnie Jo Clay and WIlma Holcomb had a hard time holding back tears.

Our AQHA Judges weren't the only officials on hand representing AQHA. With much help from the AQHYA department, Laurie & Debbie Haughton, Gilles Seguin, Jamie Noriss, and AQHA member Scott Loomis of New York "Two Bits" the AQHYA mascot made his way to the Eastern Ontario show to kick off his summer tour of Ontario and to deliver a special message from the AQHYA department to Josée.

The stars aligned in granting Josée her wish. In 2007 EOQHA youth director Laurie Haughton contacted The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada at the request of youth members. On May 20th Laurie received a call from a wish coordinator advising that they had a little girls who's wish was to learn to ride a horse. Within two hours Laurie contacted a few of EOQHA's sponsors, and was able to provide the Wish Foundation with 52 weeks of riding lessons, a tack box and grooming equipment, a safety helmet, chaps & show shirt, thermal winter riding wear, western boots, and assorted horse related gifts. All donated to Josée to help her achieve the fulfillment of her wish.

Josée has been invited back to show in the Small Fry division for youth eleven years of age and under at the EOQHA Summer Sizzler. "We want this wish to extend to the entire family" said Debbie Haughton, EOQHA director "the Quarter Horse community recognizes that this family has been through an unimaginable ordeal these past few years, and we want to invite them into our own family to help them celebrate their victory over this terrible disease". The EOQHA youth will be purchasing an AQHYA life time membership for Josée, and has made them honorary members of the Eastern Ontario Quarter Horse Association.

May 30th was the kick off weekend of Equine Canada's annual Horse week, knowing that their national spokes person for 2008 is Martha Becket who is riding across Canada for "Giddy Up for Wishes" a charity that benefits The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, EOQHA, and Equine Canada were quick to see the special opportunity for the Quarter Horse community of Ontario to assist in the granting of this wish for Josée, as part of the Horse Week celebrations.

The EOQHA Youth would like to thank all their friends who helped make Josee's wish so special this past weekend!

Bridewood Farms
Tanglewood Tack
Circle R Saddlery
Wicksteed Stable & Tack
Zip Printing
Equine Canada
Hobby Horse Show Cloths
The Rider

If any one else is interested in helping the EOQHA Youth make Josee's Horse Wish go beyond her wildest dreams please email Laurie at info@eoqha.com

About The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is dedicated to providing children with high-risk, life threatening illness the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wish. The work they do is about dignity, about dreams come true and about quality of life for children coping with high-risk, life-threatening illnesses. It is about precious moments spent enjoying the special magic of a wish fulfilled. It?s about allowing families a break from day to day trials of tests, treatments and hospital stays. Most importantly The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is about putting smiles on the faces of very special children. Working coast to coast to coast for close to 25 years the Foundation is 100 per cent Canadian and very proud to say that no eligible child has ever been refused.

photo by Cheryl Norris

EOQHA goes Green with the Help of Equine Essentials

EOQHA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Equine Essentials® for 2008. The company who had sponsored our All Novice Show for the past two years has teamed up with EOQHA to help launch our four new AQHA Green Classes. Thanks to our friends, makers of Flax Sheen™ and other natural horse and human care products, each of the 5 AQHA Green Class will received it's very own circuit award at all 3 EOQHA circuits this year.

EOQHA is proud to partner with such a uniquely Canadian and environment friendly company. All Equine Essentials products incorporate aroma therapy with botanical cosmetic grade ingredients such as flax extract and canola oil. Their revolutionary formulas aim to please horses, and their humans, all while leading the way in formulating the next generation of grooming solutions – gentle, soothing, and nourishing while eliminating the need for petrolatum and silicones through the use of revolutionary, cosmetic grade ingredients. Manufactured in Eastern Ontario, Equine Essentials Canada products are cost-effective ( a little goes a long way! ), environmentally responsible and user friendly. Their philosophy on natural ingredients and environmentally responsible products and production makes them the ideal “Green” partner in every way for EOQHA.

The AQHA "green" classification applies to your horse. Meaning that a green horse is considered one who has not earned more then 10 AQHA points combined in all divisions (open, youth, & amateur) in a particular class. (ie a horse with 2 open trail points and 3 youth trail points is still considered a green horses. A horse who has earned 1 amateur Hunter Under Saddle point & 9 Jr Hunter Under Saddle points has graduated out of the "green" program.) Each green class entry fee will be $8 per class per judge/show or you can choose to opt into a $45 all day fee per judge/show that allows you to enter as many open & green classes as you wish. EOQHA will offer: Green Trail, Green Western Riding, Green Hunter Under Saddle, & Green Western Pleasure.