So the cheering and clapping for the 2025 Season is over and we can get back to working towards our goals for 2026. I hope you enjoyed the luncheon, the food, the Fellowship and everything else last Sunday. Those of you, who took home the pansies, note the colour is called “Fire”. They were chosen for the Year of the Fire Horse, plus they are as close to RTR colours as possible. It was cold and wet, but the spirit inside was warm and sunny. If you have any pictures, please send them to me or post on Facebook so I can steal them for the archives and the slide show for next year’s awards banquet.

Also: PLEASE get the Sponsor Thank You cards written and sent. As a sponsor, I very much look forward to receiving mine in the mail. As the person who addresses them, I am sure Joanne does not want to find out her time was wasted.

For those who were not there or not paying attention, I gave a quick history of the “Pat Dales Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Effort”. When RTR formed, this honour was called the “Presidents Cup” and was presented to the President. Fast forward to 1970, the president at the time (Jean Pettitt) did not feel she was worthy. The Board created the criteria of outstanding effort in Horsemanship, Sportsmanship and Fellowship. It was presented to my father, Pat Dales. He was honoured 4 times over the years. When he passed in 1986, the Board at the time renamed this trophy to the “Pat Dales Memorial Trophy”, kept the same criteria and dedicated that year’s award to him, making him a 5 time honouree. My father, mother, my brother Greg, Barb Kelly, Bri Dales and myself have been honoured as well. This was the first time anyone has received this trophy two years in a row. Bri, congratulations again!!!

I hear Northfield is bringing not only some new horses, but a couple of WESTERN competitors as well. Vanessa and her team are known or English so her boarders are now going “both ways”. Yeehaa!

I also heard about other new horses, and am looking forward to seeing their new adventure together.

We have new faces on the Board, this year. Their names and portfolios are on the website. Welcome to them! Please, if you are at the shows and have even a few minutes to help with set-ups, take downs or anything else that needs doing, jump in, don’t sit there just there just looking pretty. Many hands make light work.

Get your memberships in before the end of April. Saving $5.00 saves on half a class (or the whole price of over fences warm-up) or will buy some food with our new Food Vendor Shawn Stewart.
See you all in 2026!

Hoorah Lads!
Anne Dales