Marc Beckstead signs with the Frontenacs

Sandy Marcellus is absolutely delighted that after just two complete seasons of operation her Sarabeau Riding stable has seven riders who have qualified, or will have qualified over the next couple of weeks, for the Trillium Ontario Riding Championships at the Caledon Equestrian Park at Palgrave, Ontario from September 6-9.

“I am very pleased,” says Marcellus. “They have all done very well this year. Last year we had five riders, and this year we have seven who have qualified. That is pretty good.”

The riders have all worked under longtime trainer Cheryl Levere who has been with Sarabeau since it opened two years ago.

Marcellus explained that the top seven riders from each of seven regions in Ontario will compete at the Trillium.

“Even getting there is a big thing,” she adds, “And when they get there, they can be riding against 40 plus other riders.”

Sarabeau Stables rides in the Kingston Region of the Trillium Circuit and the riders amass points at five shows.

Sarabeau Stables has been steadily growing with up to 20 students outs for lessons on a regular basis. According to Marcellus they come from throughout the area from Cornwall to Iroquois. “That’s a good number really. We don’t have any crowded lessons.”

Marcellus says she has also had a good response to summer riding camps.

In addition to riders, Marcellus has worked on building up her riding stock and is very pleased with the ponies now in her stables.

Amongst the Sarabeau qualifiers are the sister duo of Brianna and Serena Armstrong of Iroquois.

Brianna, 16, has qualified in the Children’s Hunter and Low Division riding Shez Justa Dream and Serena, 14, has qualified in medium pony on My Time to Shine. Both are Sarabeau horses. My Time to Shine is a six year old Welsh Quarter Cross Pony who is a relative newcomer to Sarabeau and who is in her first year of showing. 

“She is a really good pony,” says Marcellus. “We use her for our camps as she is really good with kids.”

Shez Justa Dream is a 12 year old registered quarter horse, and a particular favourite of Marcellus’. 

“She was my very first horse. She was my trail horse and last year she did the fairs. This is her first year showing.”

Of the riders, Julie Julien, 26, of  Cornwall is the most experienced. She will be making her third trip to Trillium, her second consecutive as a Sarabeau rider on her family horse Palakari, a nine year old thoroughbred gelding.

Julien has qualified in Adult Amateur Low division and will collect enough points to qualify in Adult Equitation in two remaining shows in Kingston.

Riding Palakari, Jeana Lamothe, 14, of Ingleside has qualified in Modified Child Adult, while Troy Webb, also of Ingleside has qualified in Modified Child Adult riding Morganfield, an 18 year old thoroughbred gelding.

“Morganfield is kind of a rescue,” says Marcellus. “He’s been everywhere and he’s done everything. We’ve had him for a year.”

A first year rider, Teisha Mullin, 13, of Ingleside is expected to qualify in the Long Stirrup division as she is now sitting in second spot overall. Teisha rides My Time to Shine.

The final qualifier for Sarabeau is Rayanna Marcellus, who at 15, is a very experienced rider and has qualified or will qualify to ride in four events.

Rayanna is currently sitting second in the Large Pony Division and in Equitation Over Fences. In both she is riding Piccolini. She is also first in Children’s Medal and second overall in Children’s Hunter riding and for both she is riding Morganfield.

Piccolini, is a 10 year old large Arabian Welsh cross pony that was a rescue horse for the Marcelluses prior to the formation of the family stable. Rayanna has worked with him with great success, and “now he’s amazing,” says Sandy. 

With the Trillium Championships now just three weeks away, the riders are busy raising funds to assists them in their expenses which are expected to be between $1,500 to $2,000 per rider.

Expenses include transportation for both the riders and horses, accommodation for the riders, stabling fees, feed hay and stable shavings.

“The riders pay all their own costs so they are trying to raise a little extra money to assist in the expenses.”

Unfortunately, Friday’s rainy day did not bode well for a car wash at the McIntosh Inn in Morrisburg but coming up this Sunday, August 19 in Ingleside another car wash is planned. In addition, there will be a bake sale, a yard sale and a silent auction.

“We also advertise for sponsors which are showcased on the doors in the stables. Everyone likes to look at and pet the horses so they walk up and down the stables. The signs provide great advertising.”

[…]

 

Dave King and his committee ran another very successful Hugh Hutchison Bonspiel last week. This was formerly a Robbie Burns themed event, but with the decline in the percentage of Scots in the area, and a decrease in the affection for haggis, the event has been renamed. Ten men’s teams competed this year, playing two games separated by a fine lunch from Subway.

After scores were tallied, third place was awarded to the foursome of Eric Orgee, Jack Dikland, Karl Duncan and Al Gowanlock. Second went to Sid Morrell, Ken Wilson, Earl Jeacle and Fred Langlotz. Finishing first and getting their names on the venerable trophy were George Rutley, Neil Williams, Ron Beaupre and Steve Thompson.

Thursday, Gretta McGann, Joanne Baker, Claire Locke and Yvonne Mabo were in Prescott for their Robbie Burns event for ladies. The curlers were piped onto the ice, with Morrisburg the only team outfitted with kilts. They tied their morning game against North Grenville and paused for a delicious lunch, sans haggis. In the afternoon our ladies won their match against Lancaster, finishing in second place overall. It was another delightful event, in the fine tradition of Scottish curling.

Friday, Steve and Alice Thompson, Keith Robinson and Sharon Van Allen drove through the ice storm to Richmond for their 2-2-2 bonspiel. Our local team dropped their morning match to a strong Manotick foursome, visited with a number of old friends, and were fuelled by a tasty lunch. In the afternoon they returned to the ice against a quartet from Richmond. The teams ended up tied, and Alice won the game for our local heroes with a perfect draw to the pin. After team introductions, colourful stories, and picking out prizes, the teams hurried home, this time through a blinding snowstorm. In spite of the weather, it was a great day.

Meanwhile, the local club was hosting a stick bonspiel, organized by Glen Cougler. The weather was tricky for driving, but many of the curlers made it, and a simplified bonspiel went ahead. Glen’s committee did an excellent job, with Linda Robinson catering a fine lunch for the event.

Kemptville finished first, after their skip, Virginia Cunningham, outdrew Sid Morrell to the button to break the tie. With Virginia were Jean Hartree, Peggy Angus and Pam Owen. Sid’s team included Andy Patenaude, Neil Williams, and Dwight Gilmer/Al Gowanlock. Greta McGann, Arnold Barkley, and Martin Schneckenburger/Ted Herriman finished third in the bonspiel. Thanks to Glen for organizing this again. He will run the stick bonspiel again next year, but hopes for better weather.

Two teams of our Little Rockers were in Brockville on Saturday for a bonspiel. Kaeghan Lowson, Kendrew Byers, Calvin Scott and Adam White won their first match 5-2 against Brockville, but dropped their second 4-2 to Manotick. Ewan Wilson, Emily Poirier, Martina Lewis and Jonathan Charette dropped their games against the other Brockville and Manotick teams 4-1 and 3-1. Our young curlers played well and enjoyed the day.

Because of the weather, the last senior men’s Parnell of the season was cancelled, although the Prescott organizers hope to reschedule.

Wendy Casselman of our club began play last weekend in the OCA Regional Playdowns with Winchester’s Janet Lapierre, Janet Levere and Janet Thompson at the Ottawa Curling Club. We hope to have the results next time. Good curling!    

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The Seaway District High School boys and girls golf team competed in the SD&G Championship at Upper Canada Golf Course on September 19th. The girls team consisted of Amber Bailey, Trystan Hummel and Anna Henderson. […]