07/08/2026
July 3-5th was our annual Wesgate Park Showdown, and what an amazing weekend it was! We had an incredible turnout, so much fun, and fantastic riding all weekend long. đ¤Š
Thank you to everyone who came out to compete, and those who came to cheer everyone on đ
Congratulations to our High Point winners;
DRESSAGE
English - Erin OâReilly
Western - Ava McEachren
ENGLISH
Hunter Jumper - Taylor Duke
Walk Trot Novice - Lily Sceviour
Walk Trot Leisure - Maddie Janes
Junior - Taylor Duke
Senior - Morgan Janes & Emma Singleton
Open - Erin OâRielly
WESTERN
In Hand
Junior - Brooke Newhook
Senior - Jess Inkpen
General Performance
Walk Jog Leisure - Shalin Dalton
Junior - Reece Antle
Senior - Jess Inkpen
Open - Linda Pike
Reining - Reece Antle
We had 4 very special awards;
⢠The first one being the William(Bill) Hedges Memorial. Bill was Jodiâs father, who we lost in April 2024. This award goes to someone who is âMost Dedicated to our showâ. As Bill was always so dedicated to everything Wesgate. He never missed a show! There wasnât a day that went by, that he didnât ask about the barn or the horses. This award can be won by a rider, fan, parent, grandparent, coach, volunteer, etc. Until you plan a show, you wouldnât believe the amount of work that goes into it. This person was extremely helpful in making our show a successful one. This person was working tirelessly alongside Scott during the week around the barn to make sure everything was tidied up, he was in the tractor helping set up the warm up ring and he was on the back gate of the arena all weekend. With no questions asked, and no expectations of a reward, this guy is just doing anything and everything Wesgate. We are very thankful for all of his help and for that, we have chosen Sean Ryan!!!!
⢠The Del Ridge Jimmy Memorial
Jimmy was a horse that was part of the Forward family for 22 years. He did every birthday party, seniors day, beginner lesson, etc. We lost Jimmy in November 2024. This award is to the best horse in the show. For this award it doesnât mean the horse with the most ribbons. Itâs the horse who is just like Jimmy was - willing to do anything, easy going, great personality, dressed to impress and an overall class act. The horse that we have chosen loves to hit the trails, has competed this weekend in English with 3 different riders and performed well and has an easy going demeaner. We were happy to present this to âBig Deal Boulderâ!!!
⢠The Frank Chafe Memorial Award
Frank was a close family friend. This award is for our Most Spirited Competitor. Frank was always so happy, spirited, and a treat to have around the barn. We are choosing Sophey Morris. Although her horse couldnât finish the show, she had a positive attitude helping in the warm up ring, being a last minute judges assistant and was cheering everyone on this weekend!!!
⢠The âHeart of a Championâ Award which is also known as the Acme Dynamite Memorial. Acme Dynamite was a standardbred horse who joined our family in 1999 as a 3 year old. He was forced to retire from harness racing at the age of 14 due to the rules of racing. During his career he won many races and many âhorse of the yearâ awards. In September 2025, we lost our beloved Acme at 29 years old.
What made Acme so special wasnât just what he accomplished on the racetrack - it was who he was away from it. He was the type of horse that gave everything he had on the racetrack but once he stepped off the track he was the gentlest soul. He was joyful, easy to handle, the best family pet, and the barn favorite.
The âHeart of a championâ award recognizes a horse with the same qualities as our Acme. A horse with a heart to compete at the highest level, yet one who is kind, trustworthy and loved by everyone around them. This years winner is a horse that stables at Wesgate Park. A horse anybody can take in from the paddock, who is a force to be reckoned with in the show ring competing at the highest levels, then happily naps between classes. This horse is the best family pet and does wonderful with the kiddos.
It was our honour to present the inaugural Acme Dynamite memorial award toâŚ. âAfter Darkâ aka Zarafa!!!
⢠Along with Acme, Wesgate lost another horse in July 2025. This horse was Sopheyâs best friend, D***o. He was always sparkling white, never a speck of dirt on him! She spent hours on end making sure he always looked his very best! We wanted to honour D***o by having a prize for the horse that is much the same, sparkling clean and looking their very best! Congratulations to âBustin With Prideâ aka Toba!!!
Thank you to ALL of our volunteers, our sponsors, announcers, judges and judges assistantsâŚwe couldnât have done it without youđ¤đ
Congratulations to everyone! đ¤
