By Jess Hallas-Kilcoyne

We are pleased to present the winners of our third annual Readers’ Choice Awards, honouring remarkable horses and horse people for their achievements and contributions to Canada’s horse industry.

Each of our 2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners (Orion, Grated Coconut, Duane Latimer, Pippa Hodge, Karen Brain, Hickstead, Eve Mainwaring, Dianne Tidball, Somebeachsomewhere, and Bill desBarres) is truly remarkable and we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them.

Our only regret is that, out of the hundreds of nominated individuals, only ten can be named as winners. Here are a few of our runners-up whom we feel are deserving of honourable mention.

Sidonia McIntyre
A Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Equine Massage Therapist, Sidonia McIntyre is passionately committed to educating horse owners about the benefits of equine bodywork. Based in Essex, Ontario, McIntyre is the founder of Equanimity Edge Equine Massage and Rehabilitation, which offers courses in Equine Massage and Vertebral Realignment year round across Canada. For more information, please visit the Equanimity Edge website at www.equinerehab.ca.

In the words of her nominators…

“Sidonia has been a revolutionary in her breakthrough work with horses. She has such a calm nature about her – no wonder both horses and people love her.” – Mara Derikx, Windsor, Ontario

“The equine rehab (massage, stretches, adjustments, chiropractic) work that Sidonia taught me has saved my two horses. Her dedication to her students and the equine world goes above and beyond. She is gifted, gentle, wise, and extremely knowledgeable. She has created courses that are packed full of fantastic information that anyone, from a novice to an experienced horse person, can understand and apply…SHE IS TOTALLY AMAZING!!” – Lynn Williams, Spruce Grove, Alberta

“The hands-on knowledge [Sidonia] imparts to so many people about the care and comfort of our equine friends has been invaluable to the equine community. Just think of all the happy horses!” – Laurie Edmunds, Abbotsford, BC

Karen Hatch
For 15 years, Karen Hatch has acted as Master of Fox Hounds (M.F.H.) and Huntsman for the Fraser Valley Hunt, in Aldergrove, BC. The Fraser Valley Hunt is a drag hunt (meaning that the scent of the fox is laid down in a manner that simulates live hunting, so no fox or other quarry is harmed) that was founded in 1968, and the highest priority is placed on safety, followed closely by fun. Friends and fellow riders attribute much of the Hunt’s camaraderie and success to Hatch’s incredible work ethic, knowledge, and ever-present enthusiasm.

In the words of her nominators…

“Karen works tirelessly for the love of her Fraser Valley Hunt hounds. Almost every weekend in the fall and winter in the Fraser Valley, Karen brings the hounds out and provides sport for any who come out and join her. Karen’s efforts are donated to the Hunt so that riders can continue to experience one of the ultimate synergies between rider, horse, and hounds.” – Nicholas McDonald, Langley, BC

“Karen has committed her life to raising and training hounds for the equestrian hunt. Without her volunteering all of those hours, we would be unable to continue the hunt. She is present at every weekend hunt – rain, shine, or flu – with a smile on her face, ready to help any new arrival who is nervous or doesn’t know the rules.” – Heidi Telstad, Surrey, BC

Stone Maples McKenzie’s Joy
Stone Maples McKenzie’s Joy, or “Steve,” is a 12-year-old Miniature Horse owned by Pam Christopher, of Ridgeville, Ontario. Steve holds multiple American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) Hall of Fame titles in Pleasure Driving, Country Pleasure Driving, and Roadster, and is a two-time AMHR Reserve National Champion and one-time AMHR Reserve National Grand Champion. In 2010, Steve won the AMHR Division A Driving Horse of the Year award, and the following year was crowned AMHR Division A Performance Horse of the Year, the only Canadian Miniature Horse to win back-to-back AMHR Horse of the Year titles.

In the words of his nominators…

“Steve was born and bred in Ontario and has shown every year for many, many years. He has many championships and national titles to his credit and LOVES to show!” – Pam Christopher (Steve’s owner), Ridgeville, Ontario

“[Steve’s] many awards speak for themselves, but it is important to note that out of the show ring, he is one cool dude who will do anything for food!” – Michelle Courtemanche, Milton, Ontario

Main article photo: Courtesy of Sidonia McIntyre - Sidonia McIntyre, a R.M.T. and C.E.M.T., and the founder of Equanimity Edge Equine Massage and Rehabilitation, is passionately committed to educating horse owners about the benefits of equine bodywork.