Area 1 News - ARCHIVES

2011 OQHA Hall of Fame Inductee's

VONDA O'DONNELL was named Ontario Quarter Horse Associstion AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year.

The horse inducted into the 2011 OQHA Hall Of Fame is RED MAMBO JUNIOR, a 1960 Bay Gelding owned by the late Fred Hill and shown by his son, Brian Hill. This horse was sired by Red Mambo out of Lou Cindy bred by Dolorfes Smith of Lansing, Michigan. To read more about Red Mambo Junior, click here.

CQHA Appoints Team Canada's Youth Members for the 2012 AQHA Youth World Cup

(Carberry, MB - Jan. 12, 2012) - Germany will be the host country for the next biennial American Quarter Horse Association's Youth World Cup to be held in Kreuth, from July 21-29, 2012. This event, first held in Australia in 1986 as the International Youth Quarter Horse World Cup, has become one of the most prestigious equine competitions recognized world wide. It is a major initiative of the CQHA to field a youth team for this competition which is held every two years.

The CQHA Youth World up Committee is pleased to announce that it has chosen ten qualified youth participants from all across Canada, for Team Canada 2012.

Click here to see the team!

Fact Sheet-Novice Championship Show

Locations : Tennessee Miller Coliseum, Murfreesboro , Tennessee
South Point Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Date: Novice Championship Show Weekend: October 5-7, 2012

AQHA rule changes that will affect competitors in halter, stake race, showmanship, open and Novice classes.

The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee recently approved some changes that will affect AQHA competitors. For more information on the rules to take effect 2012, click here.

AQHA Rookie Level 2012

AQHA defines the entry-level classes of the show leveling program. For more information on this program, click here.

Ranch Horse Pleasure - AQHA Show Council approves proposed ranch horse pleasure class

The horse’s performance in a ranch horse pleasure class should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. For more information click here.

Thank You to Area 1 from Pat Carter Trail Challenge

Here is an excerpt from the Thank you note, to read the entire letter, click here

"Thank you very much for the Area One support of the Pat Carter All-Breed Trail Challenge held on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds in Ancaster,
Ontario. This year, we moved the event back a month and moved the location to the Ancaster Fairgrounds, as there is an indoor facility there. We are happy to report that that
the move of both date and location was supported by all. We had the most entries we have ever had at this event this year. Many exhibitors were finishing out their show season, while others were prepping for the All American Quarter Horse Congress"

GEUDO (GUY) DIDONATO
Area 1 would like also to acknowledge the passing of Guedo DiDonato on June 15, of this year. Guedo was 88 years of age and had worked at General Motors for many years.
Guy was the husband of Sylvia and father of Connie DiDonato, our show secretaries. He is also survived by daughters, Denise and Nina and son, Steve as well as 3 grandchildren, including Kyle Kerr who was our gate person at a number of shows.
Geudo enjoyed horses, being on the farm and being with his children and grandchildren. He was a NASCAR fan and loved his corvette. Geudo and his family hosted several annual Quarter Horse Shows in Michigan including one of the Bluewater Quarter Horse Shows started in Goodels, near Port Huron, later moved to Mount Morris. This was one of the largest Quarter Horse Circuits in Michigan for many years. They also hosted shows in Upper Sandusky. Guy also served in World War II and was highly decorated for his heroism receiving 2 Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon.

Photo by River Bend Designs

Participant Awards in the Lead-Line and Walk-Jog Classes at the Summer Celebration were presented in his memory

Summer Celebration Pleasure Driving - Thursday Aug. 18th!

This class of 8 entries was the largest AQHA Pleasure Driving Class held in Ontario since 1999 when 10 showed in Carp. Optimistic View owned and shown by Diane Cellini of Guelph won both the Open and Amateur Pleasure Driving under both judges.

Photo by River Bend Designs

Letter from Connie and Sylvia DiDonato

"We would like to thank all of your from the bottom of our hearts on behalf of my husband and father for the awards in Guy's name. On behalf of me I would like to thank you for the cards and article on facebook. But most of all I would like to thank everyone for the help and support you gave Connie."
--Sylvia

"I want to thank Area 1 and all the exhibitors for a great year! A special thanks to Joyce, Connie and Lynn for all the help at the Summer Celebration. Hoping to see everyone next year."
--Connie

ARNOLD NOOYEN MEMORIAL AWARD
High Point Overall JUNIOR WESTERN PLEASURE - Embroidered Horse Blanket was won by
Certainly Blazing owned by Michele Bogucki of Morrisville, New York and shown by Dwayne Pickard

Arnold Nooyen passed away September 2, last year. Arnold was active with both the Ontario Quarter Horse Association serving as a director and the Area 1 Quarter Horse Promotional Association. Arnold was a large part of the Blenheim Quarter Horse Show Committee. Arnold and his wife, Rikki ran the food booth at the Blenheim Quarter Horse Shows. The Area 1 Futurity was held at the Blenheim Quarter Horse Shows for a number of years.
Two of Arnold’s children, Dan and Sandra and later, daughter in-law, Liz, a past president of Area 1, were very involved showing Quarter Horses. Arnold's other son, John showed a pony as a youth at club shows. Dan and Liz currently own and show Paint Horses.
This memorial award is presented by Area 1 Quarter Horse Promotional Association in honour and memory of Arnold’s contribution to the Quarter Horse industry