Canadian Horse Breeders Association

The yearly meeting to discuss club activities, hear reports from committees and to review the club expenses are the basic reasons why our annual general meeting is held; however, each year we try to marry the business meeting with an event that gives members a chance to participate in a clinic, or learn from a demonstration. In this way, our members have had opportunity to participate in a variety of activities...

The annual meeting for 2004 returned to Nova Scotia, to the home of Heather Smith and Jack Robinson of Maitland, Hants County. The AGM was well attended, with many of the Atlantic District members present: taking part, sharing ideas and voicing their concerns. In her report, CHB-AD President, Christie Riddell talked about how our club has grown in the past few years with this year being our all time high with more than 60 members. Members have been very active promoting Canadian Horses at public events and the Canadian horse never fails to be well received.

Important discussions were held regarding the direction of the club, and what the members want from their Atlantic District club. A number of planning committees have been formed to ensure that the ideas brought forth at the AGM will develop into actual events within the next 18 months. Perhaps one of the most exciting things that came from our meeting is that we have finally decided to hold our FIRST Canadian Horse Show in the Atlantic District. Many of our members have been showing their horses individually in open shows but this will be the first all Canadian Show in the Maritimes. A committee is in place to organize this show and we will share the details as they become available; we look forward to our first combination AGM & Futurity in 2005.

The afternoon Open Forum with Veterinarian Dr. Tim Blatt proved very educating and entertaining, as members found Dr. Blatt an open and experienced equine practitioner who was willing to answer each and every question posed. Dr. Blatt also assisted our secretary, Ruthanne, to draw the name of the lucky winner of the early-bird membership renewal prize package, which was the book entitled "The Essentials of Carriage Driving" and one of our new Atlantic District ball Caps.

Our day wound down with the closing of the silent auction, which once again provided friendly competitive bidding amongst the members. Collette and Stirling Gates seemed particularly intent on monitoring the bids on the hand-made bridle hooks donated by Ralph Forbes, to make sure they weren't "out of the bidding!". Congratulations to the members on their new acquisitions.

Congratulations also to the 2004 host committee Heather Smith, Alan Rees and John MacDonnell for organizing a very successful AGM: Well Done!

In 2003, New Brunswick organizers Peter Papoulidis and Dale Weldon presented M. Francois Bergeron from Quebec as clinician for a driving clinic. Our meeting and clinic were held at Saddlebrook, a beautiful equestrian facility in Moncton, New Brunswick. The driving clinic was well attended, with participants and auditors from our own club as well as others, including miniatures horse breeders from Prince Edward Island and the New Brunswick Hampton Driving Club. The clinic provided a wealth of information; Francois was a patient and safety-oriented instructor who left us with a tremendous amount of knowledge and a new passion for driving!

In 2002, the Atlantic District Annual General Meeting was hosted by the Nova Scotia members, organized by Christie Riddell and Allan Hiltz. The meeting was held at Fall River Stables, near Bedford, N.S. Our organizers were very fortunate to present Mme. Anne Belanger from Trottier Mills, Quebec, who gave the members a "Judging Clinic". Anne, a life long equestrian, well respected CEF coach and MAPAQ qualified classifier of Canadian Horses, gave the members a taste of the fine art of judging Canadian Horses for correctness of conformation, movement and overall typiness. Canadian horses were used to clarify points and illustrate the meaning of the judging standards. The clinic was well supported by members from the three Maritime provinces.

The May 19, 2001 meeting was held in West Cape Prince Edward Island. Horses from around the Maritimes were shown in a variety of disciplines.

May 13, 2000 meeting held in Moncton at Saddlebrook Resort. Horses came from several parts of NB and NS and were demonstrated in hand, under saddle and in harness. Allain Legere brought his stallion Celebrite L Julo Freddy and also enough mares to demonstrate multiple hitches.

June 26, 1999 our AGM was held at Fortress Louisbourg. In that historic setting, interpretators at the Fortress exhibited their two young Canadians in harness, undaunted by tour busses or cannon fire. Following the meeting, Dr. Ruth Parker, DVM, gave a lecture on AI and reproductive health of mare and stallion. The following day, members traveled to the western side of Cape Breton to Hart of Margaree Farm. Ruthanne gave several demonstrations with her mares including free jumping, dressage, jumping and pleasure driving concluding with one mare harrowing the ring.

June 6, 1998 found our group gathered at the farm of Michael and Judi Connolly in Maugerville, NB. At that meeting our Atlantic District Logo was adopted. The Connolly's and other Canadian Horse owners in the area showed their horses in hand. The next day most members stayed on to visit the "Horses Unlimited Fair" held in Fredericton.

June 7, 1997's AGM was held at the farm of Jean Myers in Cardigan, Prince Edward Island. On Saturday the Canadians and Canadian Crossbreds owned by Jean and her friends were exhibited. On Sunday a TTEAM clinic with Olga Comeau was held for those who wished to stay for the second day.

June 22, 1996 a meeting was held at Ross Farm Museum in conjunction with their two day, "Working with Horses" event. This was a well attended meeting that set the standard for all AGM's to come. All the museum's horses including the stallions were demonstrated in various occupations such as field work, wagon rides, pleasure driving, and under saddle both in English and Western Tack.

On May 5, 1995 a meeting was held in Sussex, NB to form the Atlantic District.

On Sept. 7, 1991 there was an informal meeting of Canadian Horse Breeders in Orwell Corners Historical Village, PEI. Attending that meeting from outside the Maritimes was Gilles Racette and Phillipe Bergeron, well known and long-time Canadian Horse Breeders from Quebec.