When Irene joined Rockwood Trail Riders, she hit the ground running by helping find sponsorships for the classes. Since then, she has written edited, updated, printed and bound the Rules book in 2003, 2009 and again 2014. She has also led the Silent Auction table for many years. Irene has shown her horse for over 15 years and, when not showing, lends a hand wherever necessary, even to the point of asking judges to stand 10 feet off the show fence. Food booth at the Tack Sales, Trail Horse Trials judge and score input, whenever there is an RTR event, you will probably find Irene, helping and supporting RTR. She has sat on the Board of Director’s for many years, lending advice and opinion.

Kim almost did not join RTR. If you read her story in “Horse Tails”, you will find how we almost missed out on her talent and contribution. Once she found Trail Horse Trials, she found where her interest truly lies. Not only a competitor but she is also a trail marker, obstacle designer, snack maker and judge assistant at the Trials. Most of you know her as our “Hoof Prints” Newsletter editor. This job certainly boomerangs back to her over and again. When someone is really good at job, you just cannot replace them easily. Kim has also sat on the Board of Directors for many years as a Director-at-Large and “Ad Hoc Committee Member”. Kim also pushed for the new Horse Health safety protocol we implemented at the shows.

Since we have re-named this award to “Wall of Fame” we have also made room to include our deserving horses. Veronica is our first horse to be inducted. From 1999 through to 2012 we saw Veronica compete, not only with Kathie but with all levels of riders: from Lead-line, to beginner, to novice to expert. She also competed in all classes of performance: Showmanship, Reining, Western pleasure, driving and went bridle-less in the President’s class. She knew her job in the ring. As long as she got a nap, and some food between classes, she was ready to go and teach whichever rider was on board how to win. She won 2 Overall Hi-Point Awards, 21 Class Championships, and 17 Class Reserve Championships in her career. Thank you to Kathie Wilkinson, for bringing Veronica to Rockwood Trail Riders.

Madeline came along to the club shows to support her children & grandchildren. She became involved to such an extent the Board of Directors established a new position just for Madeline: “Good-will Ambassador”. When you see Madeline coming, rather than extend your hand to just shake hers, most people hand her money for the latest fund-raising effort she spearheads. She makes sure the booth people are truly “sugared up” and provides the lead-liners with their “goody-bags”. Sometimes, the lead-liners would rather have the gifts than the ribbons! She is “Grammy” to many more than just her own grandchildren. Madeline passed away in 2013 and, in her memory we held the “Mad Manes Barrels against Cancer”. We raised $5,000.00 for Cancer research.

Sheila has brought many things to the club. Since 1986, she has contributed riders, horses, secretarial duties, an announcer in Ty and, more importantly: Stan. After a long absence in our schedule, Sheila re-established the Trail Horse Trials & Poker Run and has been “point person” on this ever since. She is currently the Board’s Recording Secretary. She also sits in the booth as one of our show secretaries and games cheerleader.

For forty years, Grete has been a long time sponsor, coach, and parent and, way back when: a competitor. Under Grete’s guidance, the English Division has become a new and rejuvenated force. She has sat on the board of directors and was the “go-to” person for all things in English. She contributes, time, talent, knowledge, riders and horses. She calls herself a task master and unsympathetic Mother, but the results speak for themselves.

Gerry has been a member and sponsor for many, many years. He introduced the interesting and spectator favourite of President’s Class to the show list. He brings his talent, knowledge, opinion and years of horse & management experience to RTR. He has been a long-term Board member and has twice served as President. Sometimes Gerry is more “Ring Master” at our circus than “Ring Steward” at the shows. His goal: bring on the fun.

Di is one of our “Founding Mothers”. She and Babs Ellis, on one of their leisurely rides, decided that the many horse owners in the area needed a club to join. A small group of interested people met at her home “Rocklea Ranch” and Di became the first President of RTR. Always up for a challenge, she helped bring Competitive Long Distance Trail Riding to the area as well as the first Trail Horse Trials. Di spent many, many hours alone scouting for trail for both the Competitive Trail Rides and the Trail Horse Trials. Her passion for all things horses and for this club lasted long after she retired north. Di passed away in 2012.

Babs is one of our “Founding Mothers”, as she and childhood friend Di (Duncan) Lindblad put together a plan to form a local horse club. She served as the first Vice-president and second President of RTR. Babs was instrumental in putting together the first Gymkhanas, forerunners to our current shows. Organizing the first Trail Horse Trials, and Competitive Long Distance Trail Ride was also on her agenda Long after she moved to the Penetang area, she always stayed in touch with RTR, attending many events. Babs also hosted any and all RTR’s and their horses who wanted to camp at their farm.

Pat & Evelyn joined RTR at its very early days, contributing Junior and youth members. In 1967, they donated the space for a permanent show arena on their property. We still hold the shows and Trail Horse Trials from this location. Pat was the horseman, and made sure everything was good for the shows. Evelyn ran the Food Booth for many years and served as Treasurer for a short time as well. Two of the perpetual trophies are named in their honour: The Pat Dales Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Effort exemplifies Horsemanship, Sportsmanship and Fellowship. The Evelyn Dales Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Contribution is given to a deserving volunteer.

All seven of the Dales children were avid participants in RTR from the time they could ride and participate. Mike and Jim were two of the first junior members, participating in whatever activity they could. Anne not only competed as she could, but learned early how to announce at the horse shows. She has been President twice (1983-84 and 2013-2016) and continues to contribute in many ways. She is currently the obstacle designer for the Trail Horse Trials. John, Tim, Greg and Chris all earned walls full of ribbons and trophies as their turn came along to ride as well as serving as Youth directors at various times. Greg was not only a Youth director, but continued as Director-at-Large for many years. He also marked trail and designed obstacles for the Trail Horse Trials. The heritage of contribution continues with Greg’s wife Barb Kelly as Showgrounds host (and so much more), son Ryan as our Ring Crew leader and his daughter Brianna as a competitor and trail marker.

It all started with showing in the 60’s. Then along came many years of volunteering, Board of Directors, Hoof Prints editor, and Board Executive. Gord served as President (1973-74) and Marg took on secretarial duties for many years They always tried to move the club forward and Gord was instrumental in our Incorporation as a club. They are Lifetime fans of RTR.

Early in the RTR history, Harvey, Jean joined this small club. Horsemanship and a competitive spirit had them contributing in many ways. Jean served many years on the Board and was twice the President (1969-70 and 1982). Harvey’s hoof care, blacksmithing and training advice was invaluable to clients and members alike, speaking at many of our clinics. Jean was also an enthusiastic long distance trail rider and Trail Horse Trials competitor. She also worked in prepping many of these events. Jean & Harvey still come to the shows, now to cheer on their great-granddaughter in her young riding career.

Moe & Agnes were early members of RTR. Not only in the show arena, their enthusiasm for Competitive Long Distance Trail Riding and Trail Horse Trials saw them as both hard workers and tough competitors. They found and marked trail, hosted pleasure rides and organized other events. Moe found trails for our competitions and designed many of the more exciting THT obstacles, working on keeping them as natural as possible. Moe served as President (1971 – 1972) and continues to attend shows.

Linda joined RTR in the early 1980’s. An avid English competitor, she also became interested in Trail Horse Trials, Competitive long distance and learning how to ride Western. She joined the Board and soon after, became the Treasurer, the position she still holds to date, as well as being the Membership Secretary and point person for the Annual Round-Up Banquet. Linda attends all the events and is the longest serving Trail Horse Trials judge. Linda served as President (1986-87)

Joanne jumped into RTR in the late 80’s with both feet and, anywhere she saw need, both hands. She revitalized the dormant Food Booth in the early 90’s and went on to sit on the Board as a Director-at-Large. She continues to contribute as a member of the Board. Joanne is the longest serving President (1996 – 2012). Under her direction, she revitalized the Western show. She has brought her horses, boarders and students to the shows, to give them a positive start in their horse careers. As a competitor, not only has she brought her outstanding Horsemanship, Sportsmanship and Fellowship to Rockwood, but also her passion for Reining and Side-Saddle. Joanne is now also the Show office manager at all the shows.

In the late 80’s Stan was brought into the world of RTR. He stepped into the arena to help as a ring crew member and has stepped into it almost every show since, as ring crew assistant, Ring Steward, fill-in announcer, and Show co-ordinator, President’s class judge and anywhere else he can lend a hand. A long time board member, Stan has served twice as president, Stan still serves the many Trail Horse Trials riders and volunteers as the head “Foodie” at this event.

Banquet 2012 - Lifetime members
Back row: Grete Halwachs, John Dales, Gerry Hyde, Stan Whiston, Greg Dales
Middle Row: Moe McGinnis, Babs Ellis, Joanne Milton, Gord Cox, Marg Cox, Linda Liddle
Front Row: Sheila Robins, Chris Dales, Anne Dales

In the early 2000’s, Tony Laros was introduced to Rockwood Trail Riders by his brother John and niece Kate, through Joanne Milton, Tony came to the shows to cheer on his family and heard we needed sponsors. He stepped up with one sponsorship and then two and over the years, has added more and then, even more. Tony supports this club with more than his wallet. Whenever he can, he & Liz are at the shows, cheering on his extended barn family and the many friends he has made along the way. When asked to be on our 50th anniversary float in the Rockwood parade, he was more than happy to come and play. When asked for trees for GLAD Hearts Cowboy Games, his only question was “When do you want them delivered?” That is how he says “Yes” to RTR. Tony’s generosity and support of Rockwood Trail Riders has been nothing short of outstanding.

Some text about Matt Pretty.