A few words from our president

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 We welcomed the first day of spring this week and it is now snowing as I wish you Happy Spring!  The calendar and the many sunny days that we have enjoyed recently promises that comfortable horse weather is here soon!  

The Ontario Belgian Horse Association and Ontario Clydesdale Club banquet was held on February 8th in Tavistock.  The banquet was a huge success, well organized and attended.  The banquet wrapped up during a snow storm!  Thank you to the banquet committee and everyone that braved the weather.

During the banquet we heard speeches from our two Ontario Clydesdale Club ambassador applicants.  These two ladies are both worthy of the position, but the ambassador committee was only allowed to select 1.  Congratulations to Rowan Timmons, our 2025 Ontario Clydesdale Club ambassador.  More from Rowan further in this newsletter.

Reminder that the 2025 membership renewals are overdue. Membership applications and payment options are available via our website, or you can reach out to Patti Hossie

at ontarioclydesdaleclub@gmail.com  Please check out the club website at ontarioclydesdaleclub.org!  We welcome your feedback, ideas, comments and photos!

The new Youth Showmanship Program was a success in 2024!  The program is expanding and will include a Youth Cart Class in 2025.  The Youth Program Online Auction will be returning this year in May/June.  Please follow our Facebook page for this event and bid, bid, bid!!!

It’s time to get your Ontario Bred & Sired Yearling Stallion or Mare registered for the 2025 show season. The following are the qualifying shows for 2025: Essa, Navan, Paisley, Forest, The Royal,

Lindsay, Simcoe and The Triple Crown. Please register before July 1 st.

The committee is working on the 2025 events, and the list and dates will be ready mid April.  Here is a rough outline of what is to come…..

·  MacGregor Meat Fundraiser – mid April – early May

·  Youth program online auction – May/June

·  Ride and Drive day

·  Golf Tournament 

·  Royal Social – November 

·  Stallion Auction – January

·  AGM and Banquet - February

Past President, Joanne Douglas-Lane will be introducing a new fundraiser for us this year…..stay tune for more details in the next newsletter. 

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Summer is only a few days away! 

As I write this message, it is 20 C and sunny which puts everyone in a great mood. I hope you have had a successful and rewarding foaling/breeding season and training for this year’s fairs and the World Clydesdale Show is underway! 

The Ontario Clydesdale Club (OCC) has a few events and programs that is being prepared for you. Please follow our Facebook page, check our website or contact one of the OCC directors for information and details. Thank you to Heather Frank and Leah Everson for organizing this year’s MacGregor Meat & Seafood fundraising! Many people are repeat purchases and love these products. This is an important fundraiser for the club and allows us to support shows and youth programming. We appreciate your support!

Jennilee Starr is busy preparing for the online auction in support of our Youth Program. If you have an item you would like to donate to the auction, please reach out to Jennilee! Get ready to bid as the auction will start soon. 100% of your bids/donations go to the OCC Youth Program.We encourage our youth to participate and work hard at practicing their showmanship skills. Let’s show them our support! Did you see the new addition of the Youth Cart program this year? 

Time is ticking to get your Ontario Bred & Sired Yearling Stallion or Mare registered for the 2025 show season. The following are the qualifying shows for 2025: Essa, Navan, Paisley, Forest, The Royal, Lindsay, Simcoe and The Triple Crown. Please register before August 1st. 

John Hooke, Heather Frank and Leah Everson are planning the 2025 OCC Golf Tournament to be held on July 12 , 2025, at the Maitland Links Golf Club. For anyone interested in participating via Hole Sponsorship, Prize donation, a round of golf or just to join the golfers for dinner, please reach out to John Hooke at john.hooke@cantire.ca. 

Membership update: You need to have a 2025 membership to participate in the OCC programs. Membership applications and payment options are available via our website or reach out to Patti Hossie at: ontarioclydesdaleclub@gmail.com As a member you have a voice on how we use our membership fees and fundraising dollars with your voting rights during the Annual General Meeting, the ability to participate in the Ontario Bred and Sired and/or Youth programs and access to the member only section on our website. Get your membership today! Please check out the Club website. We welcome your feedback, ideas, and comments. We are always looking for new photos to post so please share your favourites! See you soon!