REACH Grand Opening Gala and Open House

This past week I was fortunate enough to participate in two events at the new Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron. The first was the "black tie" Gala for invited guests in the new Riding Arena on Thursday night. A great list of sponsors made it a fabulous entertaining night that people will be talking about for quite a while. Not very often something like this happens in Huron County. The REACH staff made sure everything was as close to perfect as possible. It was also quite evident on who was paying for the night - OLG. (Ontario Lottery & Gaming). Well maybe not the whole night but they contributed a lot.
Before the meal the MC stated they had a surprise for us after dinner (note: the stage was set up for a band). During the meal we were entertained with a Dressage demonstration and the guy who sang the commercial "Good things Grow in Ontario".
After the meal Richard Harding, CAO for Central Huron, listed the band's accomplishments - toured North Amercia, Grammy nominees for various awards, Juno and CMA Award winners. Not bad. and then The Wilkinsons walked on stage!!!
What a way to cap off the night.
Today, Saturday, was the big public Open House. We got there around 11AM and there was a lineup of cars. When we left at 2PM cars were still coming. No idea on numbers yet but the Huron County Dairy Producers sold (scooped out) 200 Kawartha Lakes Ice Cream cones before 12 noon. The Huron County Pork Producers were also there selling sausage on a bun. One comment from a former steer wrestler was "this place will be packed" making reference to the point that there is nothing else like it in Ontario.
As a non-horse guy I was impressed. Everyone who has horses was excited. I spoke with a couple from Hanover who came just for the Open House. A big day for Central Huron (Clinton) and a sign of great expectations and rejuvenation.
Congratulations to the REACH staff and Central Huron Council.
(since I forgot my camera each time, I am hoping my contacts will send photos my way from each event to post here).

Next Post >

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Wayne Black on September 14, 2009 at 2:09pm: Thanks Joe for adding this. One thing I forgot was the website for REACH - reachhuron.ca Within the website you will see programming that they are currently offering and also a spot to sign up for email updates when they add new programs. One that my wife is wanting to sign up for is a photography day with the horses (and a teacher, lunch et al). Their plans sound exciting. I found out yesterday they are currently discussing with the appropriate businesses (wedding planners, travel agents, etc) to offer weddings on site along with a honeymoon package included.

Comment by Joe Dales on September 14, 2009 at 9:25am: RIDGETOWN CAMPUS TO DELIVER HORSE HANDLING TRAINING IN CLINTON

09/10/09
From a Release - The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus is excited to announce that it will be partnering with the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) to deliver a new Performance Horse Handler Certificate at the REACH facilities in Clinton.

The new two-semester Performance Horse Handler Certificate was developed with significant input from the equine industry and the campus is looking forward to starting the student recruitment process. The recruitment process will target grade 12 students with a high school diploma or mature students looking to work in the performance horse industry, including thoroughbred, quarter horse or standardbred racing, dressage, show jumping, breeding and other stables. The first class is scheduled to begin in September 2010, with graduates receiving a University of Guelph certificate.

“REACH has a fantastic teaching facility located in Huron County and we’re excited about the opportunity to be the training deliverer for a new horse industry certificate,” said Ken McEwan, Acting Director, Ridgetown Campus.

“The University of Guelph and its Ridgetown Campus have a great reputation in education and we’re very excited to be working with Ridgetown staff in this training partnership. Ridgetown has almost 60 years of education experience and, like us, is keenly interested in supporting the equine and agricultural industries in Ontario,” says Richard Harding, Executive Director, REACH.

Ridgetown Campus will be hosting two fall Red Carpet Day Open House events at REACH in Clinton this fall. For more information, check out the Ridgetown Campus website to pre-register.

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Canadian Agri-Food industry speaks out on proposed trade legislation

The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is urging Members of Parliament and Senators to reject a bill that would handcuff Canada’s trade negotiators and undermine Canada’s trade policy. Bill C-202 is a Bloc Québécois Private Member’s Bill aimed at protecting supply management in trade agreements. CAFTA President Greg Northey said Canada is already facing rising trade uncertainty. “As with previous iterations of this bill, C-202 would undermine Canada’s agri-food sector, damage our trade relationships, and harm the thousands of farmers, ranchers, processors, and agri-food exporters who rely on open access to global markets to make a living,” he said. Northey added disputes with key partners remain unresolved, implementation of existing agreements has been slow, and global protectionism continues to grow — placing pressure on Canada’s ability to maintain reliable access to export markets. CAFTA Executive Director Michael Harvey said Bill C-202 risks limiting Canada’s trade obj

50 years in the books for Regina Farmers’ Market

This past week marked the golden anniversary for the Regina Farmers’ Market. They are celebrating 50 years in operation in Regina and held their celebration event on Wednesday in Victoria Park to mark the occasion. Each vendor on hand that day had pictures at their booth showing their earliest days at the Farmers’ Market. There was also music and entertainment, and lots of people taking in the occasion on a hot and sunny late-May afternoon. Holly Laird, Executive Director of the Regina Farmers‘ Market Cooperative, notes they have come a long way since their early humble beginnings. “We started with 22 farmers in 1975. They set up (at what) was then the Exhibition Grounds, now called the REAL District, for their first inaugural season. And through the years we’ve had a number of different locations, both downtown and most recently at the Confederation Park. So that’s sort of where we started and where we’ve been.” The Farmers’ Market has moved around a number of locations both in RE

Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's actions at an HPAI infected premises at a British Columbia ostrich farm

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health. The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. The CFIA's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as “stamping-out”, as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a pri

Ontario Promotes Local Food to Boost Economy and Jobs

Ontario celebrates Local Food Week, recognizing farmers and food businesses while encouraging citizens to buy local and support over 871,000 jobs in the agriculture sector.

New advocacy agenda puts producers and government at odds

Imagine being a policy maker in U.S. agriculture right now, trying to scope out an agenda that meets your members’ needs, rather than pander to President Donald Trump’s protectionist agenda. Maybe your interests and his merge at some point. But if they’re at odds, you’re on shaky ground.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service