Canadian Road Horse Association

Born and raised in the business, harness racing is all Casie Coleman Herlihy has ever known. We're proud to have her as an Equistro ambassador! by @Cujo Enter...tainment // Née et élevée dans le métier, la course sous harnais est tout ce que Casie Coleman a jamais connu. Nous sommes fiers de l'avoir comme ambassadrice d'Equistro! See more

This week we are proud to shine the #RaceHorseToRoyalShowHorse spotlight on Spunky Len! Breeder: Eli Weber, Mount Forest, ON Race Career: Raced from age 3-5 thr...oughout Ontario and Quebec. 44 lifetime race starts, 3 wins, earnings of $20,289 and a lifetime race mark of $2:00 Show Career: Purchased by Howard Salisbury of West Bolton, Quebec in February of 2008, Spunky Len continued to race until November of that year. Spunky Len began his show career in 2010, winning the Green Roadster Classic (for road horses in their first or second year in the show ring) with Howard’s son Derek in the bike. He has continued to show since 2010 and in 2019 at the age of 16 won the Canadian Road Horse To Wagon Championship at the Royal. When asked what made them think Spunky Let would make a good road horse when they saw him racing, Derek Salisbury’s response was, his headset. That is what caught my eye. When a horse’s headset is naturally high, it makes it so much easier to train them to be a road horse. As with so many exhibitors involved in the Road Horse Division, it is a family affair. When asked about his favourite memory of showing Spunky Len, Derek enthusiastically responded. Family!!! It is all about family. Spunky Len is part of our family. When we are all at the Royal, Spunk has a huge crew in the pits.

As we continue with our #RaceHorseToRoyalShowHorse Series, we'd like you to meet Road Rage!! Road Rage (registered name Breezy Knoll Abe) Breeder: Parks Breezy... Knoll, Lowville, NY Race Career: Raced as a 3-year-old. 24 lifetime race starts, 5 wins, earnings of $24,976 and a lifetime race mark of 2:00.3. Show Career: Purchased by Wayne Scharf of Richmond, ON in 2004 Breezy Knoll Abe soon began his show career with the moniker of Road Rage. A two time winner of the Green Roadster Classic (for road horses in their first or second year in the show ring) in 2005 and 2006. Road Rage was also the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Canadian Road Horse to Bike Champion, and when asked how Road Rage became part of their show string, Wayne’s wife Shirley described the following: Our daughter Kerri and I were going to the qualifying races at Rideau Carlton racetrack to see if we could spot any good candidates to make a road horse. As soon as he came out, he really caught my eye, and I liked him very much. We went home and told Wayne and he and I went the next time to see him. He really liked him and we pursued the trainer and his owner, watching him race many times. It was close to a year before we were able to finalize his purchase. The Scharf family’s greatest memory of showing at The Royal with Road Rage was in 2005, when he won the Green qualifier, Green Class itself and then won the Over bike and the Bike championship as well as winning the gelding line/confirmation class. In 2006 he repeated winning The Green class, over bike and Bike Championship. In 2007 he won the Bike class and Bike championship again. Needless to say, he has given us many memorable Royal experiences but his first year was special. We still have him and he is here until he is ready to go. - Genevieve Kendall Hayes #RAWF20 #RoyalHorseShow

Thank you to Christine Reupke and the Royal Horse Show for featuring Road Horses and exhibitors in this feature. #RaceHorsetoRoyalShowHorse

Due to our ongoing concern regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the excitement of The Royal will have to wait for another year. The Royal’s Board of Directors today... made the heart-wrenching but unanimous decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, originally scheduled for November 6th to 15th at Exhibition Place, Toronto. This treasured annual tradition will return better than ever in 2021. Over the past several months, we’ve all experienced an unprecedented disruption to our daily lives and are redefining how we live, work and play. Ultimately, our decision is grounded in our commitment to help ensure the health and well-being of our community at large, stated Charlie Johnstone, Chief Executive Officer at The Royal. Our primary responsibility remains rooted in serving our community and protecting the integrity and welfare of all. We understand and appreciate the time, effort and financial commitment required to compete and exhibit at The Royal and did not make this decision without very careful consideration. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Each fall, The Royal brings together hundreds of competitors, thousands of animals and hundreds of thousands of guests to celebrate the best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competition. During its storied history, The Royal has been cancelled on only one other occasion, during World War II. At that time, the stalls within the historic Royal Horse Palace were transformed into Army Barracks to house soldiers preparing to be deployed to join our Canadian and Allied troops fighting in Europe. Today, The Royal once again stands in support of its community, first and foremost. During these uncertain times, we’re heartened by the resilience of farmers, the ingenuity of entrepreneurs, and the abundance of care shown towards family, friends and animals, concluded Johnstone. As we lead up to our 100th Anniversary celebrations in 2022, we take comfort knowing that the 2021 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair will be, as always, an outstanding experience for all those who compete, exhibit and attend. In addition to The Royal’s Agricultural Food Competitions, which will still take place in 2020, virtual programming designed to engage, educate and motivate is currently being explored for this Fall. More details regarding this exciting initiative will be released soon. In the meantime, all Canadians are encouraged to continue supporting Canadian farmers, producers and local retailers. Together we will get through this, and Bring the Country to the City next November 5th to 14th, 2021.

On behalf of the OVLHA Board of Directors we regret to inform you that the 2020 OVLHA Horse Show has been cancelled. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.