Earlier this evening, the Champions of Alberta were celebrated at the 2016 Alberta Standardbred Horse Associations annual Awards Gala.
Industry partners from Horse Racing Alberta, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, the ASHA, and many Sponsors, Owners, Breeders, and Horsemen were on hand to congratulate the horses and horsemen who excelled in 2015.
First Class Horse was victorious in both Three Year Old Colt and Gelding category as well as the prestigious Horse Of The Year. Trained and driven by long time horsemen and Hall of Famer Keith Clark and owned by Robert Jones and Doris McDougall, First Class Horse was definitely a stand out for these categories.
The Meadowlark Farms filly “Divas Dragonfly” trained by Carl Archibald and driven to numerous victories by Jamie Gray, took home both two year old categories of Alberta Sired Filly as well as Alberta Filly.
Travis Cullen has a great year once again, taking home Driver, Trainer, and Horseperson of the year as well as six awards for horses he trained and drove.
Once again, the combination of Kelly Hoerdt and Blair Corbeil was well represented taking home Owner of the Year as well as Two Year Old Alberta Sired Colt/Gelding (with Dr. M Stewart), Three Year Old Filly, and Fastest Boy “Ghost Pine”.
The Ron McLeod Award was presented to long time horsemen Rod Hennessy, who carries on the tradition of generations before him in Standardbred racing in Alberta. Rod has dedicated many years to the industry in many different facets of the industry and his son Mike heads the next generation of Hennessy horsemen.
Long time owner and breeder Pieter Besselink was honoured with the Breeders Award of Recognition for over 30 years of dedication to the industry.
“ I just love the sport,” says Besselink. “My wife and I love to go to the races. We love working the farm and taking care of the horses. I’ve got 7 brood mares out in the pasture and I’m looking forward to having some new foals on the ground in this spring.”
For the first time ever, Caretaker of the Year was tied between Kaitlin Haining and Danielle Schedlosky. Each of these hard working, gifted ladies were honoured to receive the award, but both were very excited for the other to have received it as well.
2015 Awards Winners
| TWO YEAR OLD ALBERTA SIRED FILLY Divas Dragonfly Owner: Meadowlark Farms |
TWO YEAR OLD FILLY Divas Dragonfly Owner: Meadowlark Farms |
| TWO YEAR OLD ALBERTA SIRED COLT/GELDING Wrangler Cash Owners: Kelly Hoerdt, Blair Corbeil, Dr. M Stewart |
TWO YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING Blue Star Jet Owners: Lorne Duffield, Rod Hennessy |
| THREE YEAR OLD ALBERTA SIRED FILLY Fire Watch Owners: Travis Cullen, Ron Cullen, Dwayne Taylor |
THREE YEAR OLD FILLY Thats Extra Owners: Blair & Erna Corbeil, Kelly Hoerdt |
| THREE YEAR OLD ALBERTA SIRED COLT/GELDING Johnny Gun Owner: Don Richardson |
THREE YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING First Class Horse Owners: Robert Jones, Doris McDougall |
| CHAMPION AGED MARE Sing Like An Angel Owners: Keith & Margaret Hannah, Jodie Cullen, Travis Cullen |
CHAMPION AGED HORSE Who Doesnt Owners: Travis Cullen, Ken & Jeanne Cullen, Jodie Cullen |
| CLAIMER FILLIES AND MARES Gottaluckydeal Owner: Cory Manning |
CLAIMER COLTS/GELDINGS Raging Fingers Owners: Travis Cullen, Keith Hannah |
| FASTEST GIRL Feelin Flush Owners: Travis Cullen, Ken Hanson |
FASTEST BOY Ghost Pine Owners: Blair Corbeil, Kelly Hoerdt |
| RISING STAR Preston Shaw |
CARETAKER OF THE YEAR Kaitlin Haining and Danielle Schedlosky |
| TRAINER OF THE YEAR – under 200 starts Marjorie Dumont |
TRAINER OF THE YEAR Travis Cullen |
| DRIVER OF THE YEAR – under 200 starts J F Gagne |
DRIVER OF THE YEAR Travis Cullen |
| OWNER OF THE YEAR Kelly Hoerdt, Blair Corbeil |
BREEDER OF THE YEAR Meridian Farms, Bill Andrew |
| HORSEPERSON OF THE YEAR Travis Cullen |
BREEDERS AWARD OF RECOGNITION Pieter Besselink |
| RON MCLEOD AWARD Rod Hennessy |
HORSE OF THE YEAR First Class Horse Owners: Robert Jones, Doris McDougall |