On Industry Day at the Can-Am Equine Emporium in Orangeville, excitement surrounds the opening of one of Canada’s most venerable horse fairs as vendors greet visitors and a host of celebrated presenters reveal to audiences a wealth of knowledge about training, nutrition, and riding skills.
The first-annual Can-Am Walk of Fame induction ceremony, at which five distinguished Canadians received lifetime awards for their contributions to the equine industry was a part of this year’s show.
Carol Mott, the more garrulous half of the radio-based talk-show team, The Motts, introduced this year’s honorees.
Aidan Finn, the publisher of The Rider, received the first citation. Finn has consistently and forcefully used his Newspaper to support all aspects of the horse world. Over the years he has also had a huge impact on the growth and development of the Quarter Horse industry.
The next recipient was Peter Cameron, a founding member of the Western Horse Association of Ontario. His distinguished career includes a long tenure as a ring steward and horse-show judge.
Honored next were the members of the 1956 Three-Day Eventing Team, Jimmy Elder, Brian Herbinson, and John Rumble. Elder and Rumble were present to accept the award on behalf of the team, which won Canada’s first Olympic medal, a bronze, in equestrian sport.
The evening concluded with Mayor Laura Ryan of the Town of Mono presenting the Can-Am Environment Award to Monika Caemmerer, a pioneering environmentalist of the first order who strives at every turn to reduce her ecological footprint as a mark of commitment to the future.
