Awards
Viki LaCombe Receives 2011 OEF People Make a Difference Award
Congratulations to Viki LaCombe on receiving the 2011 OEF People Make a Difference Award.
Viki served as President of OnTRA from 2008 - 2011. She put in many hours assisting with organizing clinics, shows and grants and we will miss her leadership and dedication.
Ann Caine Awarded Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
Congratulations to Ann Caine for being one of 13 receipients of the Ontario Gold Medal for Good Citizenship awarded on November 23rd, 2010 by Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
Ann, a lifetime member of OnTRA, is the founder and executive director of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre. Her award states that she "has endless energy and stamina" and is "a citizen who is always mindful of, and concerned for, the forgotten of society."
Congratulations to Viki LaCombe on receiving the 2011 OEF People Make a Difference Award.
Viki served as President of OnTRA from 2008 - 2011. She put in many hours assisting with organizing clinics, shows and grants and we will miss her leadership and dedication.
Ann Caine Awarded Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
Congratulations to Ann Caine for being one of 13 receipients of the Ontario Gold Medal for Good Citizenship awarded on November 23rd, 2010 by Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
Ann, a lifetime member of OnTRA, is the founder and executive director of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre. Her award states that she "has endless energy and stamina" and is "a citizen who is always mindful of, and concerned for, the forgotten of society."
Anne Caine, seated 2nd from right.
The Rider receives OEF Media of theYear Award
Congratulations to Barry Finn from The Rider for receiving the OEF Media of the Year Award for 5 consecutive year!
Olivia Brown takes home the OEF Cassie Bonnar Award 2009
Way to go Olivia! As Olivia has gradually lost her sight, her duties around the barn have changed slightly, but it has done nothing to slow her down. Olivia is both a rider and a volunteer at TEAD in Mount Hope, Ontario. She works tirelessly in the barn and her parents state that she would happily sleep with the horses if they would just let her.
Judi Island awarded OEF People Make a Difference Award 2009
Judi Island retired from the OnTRA board after serving 5 years. Through that time, she worked tirelessly to further promote the sport of Para Equestrian in Ontario and successfully had the sport added to the Ontario Para Sport Summer Games in 2007. Judi also ran the website and was the editor for The Mane Line. Her contributions were well appreciated by her fellow board members,
and all members of OnTRA.
Karen Sibbald awarded OEF People Make A Difference Award 2008
Karen Sibbald became the President of OnTRA by design, rather by choice. After the quick resignation of two past president’s, Karen was foisted into the role by default as the Vice President. In this role, Karen soldiered on and kept the organization afloat.
She spent many hours over her Christmas holiday, and through some heartrending family issues, working to ensuring OnTRA had sufficient and appropriate insurance coverage so the organization could continue into the 2008 year.
Although Karen didn’t choose the role of President, she has fulfilled the role with great dedication and professionalism and it is due to her efforts that OnTRA is on solid ground to continue into 2009.
Karen is retiring from the board this year after 20 years involvement in therapeutic riding. She leaves behind an organization stronger because of her years of dedicated involvement. Karen is truly a person who has made a difference to OnTRA.
Martha Lloyd-Smith Awarded Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
An OnTRA Instructor has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to the community. A ceremony was held at Queen's Park to honour Martha Lloyd-Smith and the other 11 recipients in the province for an Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
The Honorable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and OnTRA Patron with Citizenship Minister Michael Chan presented the medals at a ceremony at Queen’s Park on October 20th. Created in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recognizes people who, through exceptional long-term efforts, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of their communities.
Martha Lloyd-Smith of Markham, ON was recognized for over 32 years of volunteer work with the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) and Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD), a therapeutic riding center in North York. She provided lessons improving muscle tone, balance and coordination at the same time encouraging appreciation of their equine partners.
Lloyd-Smith has instructed and coached well over 700 riders with a disability making a huge positive impact on both their health and quality of life. Some of her students have progressed to Provincial, National and International competitions.
Martha Lloyd-Smith has also participated in fundraising and competitions to raise public awareness and help people with disabilities.
Congratulations to Barry Finn from The Rider for receiving the OEF Media of the Year Award for 5 consecutive year!
Olivia Brown takes home the OEF Cassie Bonnar Award 2009
Way to go Olivia! As Olivia has gradually lost her sight, her duties around the barn have changed slightly, but it has done nothing to slow her down. Olivia is both a rider and a volunteer at TEAD in Mount Hope, Ontario. She works tirelessly in the barn and her parents state that she would happily sleep with the horses if they would just let her.
Judi Island awarded OEF People Make a Difference Award 2009
Judi Island retired from the OnTRA board after serving 5 years. Through that time, she worked tirelessly to further promote the sport of Para Equestrian in Ontario and successfully had the sport added to the Ontario Para Sport Summer Games in 2007. Judi also ran the website and was the editor for The Mane Line. Her contributions were well appreciated by her fellow board members,
and all members of OnTRA.
Karen Sibbald awarded OEF People Make A Difference Award 2008
Karen Sibbald became the President of OnTRA by design, rather by choice. After the quick resignation of two past president’s, Karen was foisted into the role by default as the Vice President. In this role, Karen soldiered on and kept the organization afloat.
She spent many hours over her Christmas holiday, and through some heartrending family issues, working to ensuring OnTRA had sufficient and appropriate insurance coverage so the organization could continue into the 2008 year.
Although Karen didn’t choose the role of President, she has fulfilled the role with great dedication and professionalism and it is due to her efforts that OnTRA is on solid ground to continue into 2009.
Karen is retiring from the board this year after 20 years involvement in therapeutic riding. She leaves behind an organization stronger because of her years of dedicated involvement. Karen is truly a person who has made a difference to OnTRA.
Martha Lloyd-Smith Awarded Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
An OnTRA Instructor has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to the community. A ceremony was held at Queen's Park to honour Martha Lloyd-Smith and the other 11 recipients in the province for an Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
The Honorable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and OnTRA Patron with Citizenship Minister Michael Chan presented the medals at a ceremony at Queen’s Park on October 20th. Created in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recognizes people who, through exceptional long-term efforts, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of their communities.
Martha Lloyd-Smith of Markham, ON was recognized for over 32 years of volunteer work with the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) and Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD), a therapeutic riding center in North York. She provided lessons improving muscle tone, balance and coordination at the same time encouraging appreciation of their equine partners.
Lloyd-Smith has instructed and coached well over 700 riders with a disability making a huge positive impact on both their health and quality of life. Some of her students have progressed to Provincial, National and International competitions.
Martha Lloyd-Smith has also participated in fundraising and competitions to raise public awareness and help people with disabilities.
l -r: Mrs Ruth Ann Onley; The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Martha Lloyd-Smith; Colonel Jim Hubel
Peter Henderson Receives June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award For Voluntarism
Peter Henderson, past President of the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2007 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism in Ontario. Henderson was recognized for more than 20 years of outstanding volunteer work with the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) and the Ontario Equestrian Federation. The June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism recognizes those who have enriched their communities through voluntary action and extraordinary leadership and creativity. In recognition of June Callwood’s exceptional contributions to the province, this provincial award was renamed in her honour last year by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Ever since Henderson first began as a volunteer at a disabled riding center in 1984, where he saw the huge benefits to the participants, he has dedicated an incredible amount of his time and continues to be a major player both fundraising and raising public awareness for OnTRA. Peter Henderson has played a major role on OnTRA’s Board of Directors as:
OnTRA President 1998-2006
OnTRA Vice President 1992-1998
Over the past 22 years he has raised over $100,000 in much needed funds for OnTRA centers, riders and clinics. He has raised public awareness by organizing event booths, media promotion, editor of newsletters, supported the centers, collects used equipment and distributes to the centers, supports and encourages Board members.
Henderson was also recently honoured the 2007 Ontario Sports Alliance Awards when he received "Syl Apps Special Achievement Award". MAY 14, 2008
Peter Henderson, past President of the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2007 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism in Ontario. Henderson was recognized for more than 20 years of outstanding volunteer work with the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) and the Ontario Equestrian Federation. The June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism recognizes those who have enriched their communities through voluntary action and extraordinary leadership and creativity. In recognition of June Callwood’s exceptional contributions to the province, this provincial award was renamed in her honour last year by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Ever since Henderson first began as a volunteer at a disabled riding center in 1984, where he saw the huge benefits to the participants, he has dedicated an incredible amount of his time and continues to be a major player both fundraising and raising public awareness for OnTRA. Peter Henderson has played a major role on OnTRA’s Board of Directors as:
OnTRA President 1998-2006
OnTRA Vice President 1992-1998
Over the past 22 years he has raised over $100,000 in much needed funds for OnTRA centers, riders and clinics. He has raised public awareness by organizing event booths, media promotion, editor of newsletters, supported the centers, collects used equipment and distributes to the centers, supports and encourages Board members.
Henderson was also recently honoured the 2007 Ontario Sports Alliance Awards when he received "Syl Apps Special Achievement Award". MAY 14, 2008
l-r: The Honourable Michael Chan, Ontario Miister of Citizenship and Immigration; Peter Henderson; The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario