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Ontario Breeders Production Sale to be Held on May 31
Black’s Equine Centre in Hamilton, ON.
courtesy of Barb Bowen
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Hamilton, Ontario - On Saturday, May 31, the Ontario Breeders Production Sale featuring young horse prospects will be held at Black’s Equine Centre in Hamilton, ON.
 Three of Ontario’s leading producers of Canadian cross-bred horses have joined forces to offer 50 horses, presented under saddle and/or in harness, to prospective buyers. Barb Bowen, Jim MacKay and Bev Watson have carefully selected from their own stock all 50 horses that will be offered at auction. The focus at the Ontario Breeders Production Sale will be on prospects from three years of age and up.
“By having an annual sale, we have an opportunity to showcase the great quality of horses that we have worked so hard to produce,” says Bowen, representing the collective efforts of the three breeders. “We have built a vast clientele, and this sale is a great way to offer our clients a selection of exceptional horses all in one weekend!”
Bowen has owned and operated Orchard Park Stables in Flamborough, ON, since 1976 and is a full-time breeder of Clydesdale cross-breds. Many of the horses she has bred have been sold throughout North America, going on to excel as children, adult-amateur and professional mounts. Whether it is in the show ring or the hunting field, ridden or driven, Orchard Park Stables is synonymous with success.
Shady Maple Farm of Paisley, ON, is operated by well-known horse personality, Jim MacKay, who has been the ringmaster at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for the past 15 years. An active competitor and breeder of cross-bred horses since 1965, MacKay’s herd of over 150 horses, including Clydesdales and hackneys, produce 30 to 40 foals each year. Horses bred by Shady Maple Farm have shown talent at show jumping, driving, eventing, field hunting and as police mounts.
The breeding success of Watson Farms, located in Glenelg Township, came when Watson and his father began breeding their draft mares to such high-profile stallions as Cozy’s Commander, sire of Canadian Sport Horse gelding, Carrick, who led the United States to a team gold medal in three day eventing at the 2002 World Equestrian Games for owner and rider, John Williams. Thoroughbred sires such as Mainstay and Gallant Mel as well as the great Dutch Warmblood sire, Ramiro, have allowed Watson to achieve a refined, athletic horse that excels in all horse sports, particularly dressage, eventing and field hunting. With a herd of over 100 horses and more than 35 years in the breeding business, Watson Farms is represented by its progeny throughout North America. Watson Farms is the breeder of Red Fury, the Canadian Sport Horse mare successfully shown in dressage by Rebecca Schoenhardt at the 1997 and 1998 North American Young Riders’ Championships, also earning the Young Rider Championship title at the 1997 Canadian National Dressage Championships.
“For the past 30 years, I have been breeding my horses to produce exactly the type I want,” explains Bowen. “People often think of a Clyde-cross as a ‘Budweiser’ draft type horse and don’t realize how refined they can be. In fact, some bloodlines are almost completely thoroughbred, and their movement, temperament and athleticism make them suitable for almost any discipline. I love my horses and I am always happy to hear that their new owners love them just as much.”
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on 50 prospects under the skilled guidance of auctioneer Brant Hurlburt of Fort MacLeod Auction Services in Alberta. Hurlburt has a wealth of experience having acted as auctioneer at the Spruce Meadows Horse Auction in Calgary, AB, and the RCMP Horse Sale Auction in Ottawa, ON.
“Personally, I have been holding off for the sale, telling people who want to buy to come to the auction,” states Bowen, who notes that all horses will have up-to-date x-rays as well as Coggins papers. “I am going out of my way to make sure that the horses I am offering are prepared and can pass the veterinarian examination - any horse that does not have clean x-rays will not be part of the sale.”
While all horses may be officially previewed on Friday, May 30, horses may also be tried throughout the week of May 26 by appointment. In addition, horses will be free-jumped on Saturday, May 31, beginning at 9 a.m. and video will be available. The Ontario Breeders Production Sale will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. For those unable to attend the sale in person, telephone bidding will be available.
To view a catalogue of horses offered at auction, including detailed descriptions of each prospect, please visit www.ontariobreedersproductionsale.com. The comprehensive website offers information on all aspects of the auction from driving directions to methods of payment.
For further information, please contact Barb Bowen at tel: (905) 659-1704 or by e-mail: jobobam@aol.com.
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