During the 1950’s the Arabian Breed was becoming increasingly popular in Ontario. In 1955, a group of 10 individual enthusiasts of this magnificent animal got together in the Toronto area and formed the Arabian Horse Association of Eastern Canada which consisted of a large geographical area broken up into zones. Membership in AHAEC grew and the Board of Directors included representation from each zone.
By 1974 membership in AHAEC exceeded the 300 mark and a group of members local to the zone one area discussed forming their own Arabian club.
Bill and Marjorie Nowlan, originally from Nova Scotia, residing in the London area were very active in the local Arabian community. Marjorie gave lessons. BilMarLee Stables and the Nowlans owned and exhibited stallions Barclay Azraff and Duke of Briarwood. Their daughter, Sherry successfully showed her gelding, Stone Arc Yissan one of the rare Arabians possessing the ‘Bloody Shoulder’ mark.
John and Maxine Kelly of Southwold were also very involved with Arabian horses. They owned and operated the Bungalo Resturant in Lambeth.
In 1974 Bill Nowlan approached John Kelly and discussed holding a dance at the restaurant to raise funds in order to form a local Arabian horse club. John agreed and this was the first of several dances called, “The Desert Smash” held at the Kelly’s restaurant.
After the initial fund raiser, an organizational meeting of local Arabian owners was held at the restaurant and the Zone One Club was formed. Bill Nowlan was the first President, with Directors, Jim Revell, Bob Hewitt, Eileen Hume, Helen McNorgan and Marj Nowlan. The meetings continued to be held at the Bungalo restaurant for two or three years. Bill Srigley was the second Zone President.
AHAEC, the head organization was responsible for all Arabian activities in their realm and zone representatives reported to the AHAEC Board of Directors. When this group formed its own Zone One Club, with its own executive, they wanted financial independence from AHAEC. However, the parent organization still wanted to control the zones. The local group resisted turning over money raised locally. AHAEC finally relinquished financial control of the zones and the local Club became known as: Zone One Arabian Horse Club so named by Mary Dancey Clarke..
Some members and Directors of Zone One decided to hold a recognized Class ‘A’ show in London and founded the Great Lakes Arabian Horse Show, Inc. The first show was held at the Western Fair Grounds in 1978. Although this was separate from Zone One, most of the organizers and volunteers were members of the Zone.
Other local Class ‘A’ Arabians shows with Zone One members involved in the organization were: The Lupus Arabian Horse Show, The Forest City Arabian Classic, The Dorchester Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Aylmer Fair Arabian Horse Show, the Exeter Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Woodstock Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Tillsonburg Fair Arabian Horse Show to name a few.
Social gatherings were common in the early days and dances frequent. The first Zone One Christmas Parties were held at the hall in Harrietsville. Later, the Annual Banquet and Dance was held at the Catherine Street Hall in Dorchester and then the Dorchester Optimist Hall. Members of the Club were responsible for preparing the main food items and everyone who attended brought a contribution for a Pot Luck style meal. Lots of work, but everyone enjoyed it immensely. There was always enough food left over from the meal to provide a midnight lunch after the dance and before members headed home. In the early days, Zone One offered a bar at functions, manned by Club members. This provided a source of income and produced a financial profit. Later, when insurance concerns became a factor, and Club banquets were held at the Optimist Hall and Legion, the bar was operated by their respective clubs. When the Annual Banquet moved to the Dorchester Legion meals were catered by the ladies of the Legion. In the past few years, the Club has held an Annual Brunch at the Pine Knott Golf and County Club.
The Zone held Schooling Shows at the Dorchester Fairgounds in the 1970’s. Syl and Bev Pittana were the driving force behind organizing the first shows. Bob Hewitt was the announcer. The initial focus was to school rider and horse in preparation for the recognized circuit and IAHA rules were followed. Proper tack and attire was a requirement.
Zone One also held the occasional Fun Show. These provided a chance for exhibitors to participate in some very funny classes and enjoy lots of laughs. Everyone had a great time and the shows were sometimes followed by a social get-together or barbeque.
Zone One Arabian Horse Club held clinics to educate members on various disciplines. Annual trail rides were held at Mary Johnson’s located in Ravenswood, Ipperwash as well as other rides including the Hay Swamp.
In January of 1984 Zone One hosted the A.H.A.E.C. Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet held at the Downtown Holiday Inn in London.
Over the years, the rules at Zone One Club Shows were relaxed and owners and exhibitors of other breeds were invited to participate. The focus was still primarily on the Arabian horse. Proper equipment, attire and tack were encouraged but not mandatory. However, safety was first and foremost. The shows provided a relaxed low key atmosphere to enable riders and horses to gain experience before moving on to the more structured Class ‘A’ circuit. For others not interested in the recognized circuit, it was a chance to enjoy a day of participating in a horse show at the club level. IAHA and CEF rules were rather loosely followed. The cost per class and total expense for a day of showing was minimal.
The membership and Board of Directors of Zone One decided they would offer year-end trophies for the Club Shows. Club Rules and Regulations were brought in. The focus of the Shows shifted from preparing for the recognized circuit to working toward a Zone One year-end trophy. This became the motivation for exhibiting. The move from Schooling Shows to Club Shows may be responsible for the decline in the quality of expertise of our exhibitors. Clinics to educate our members were held infrequently in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.
Zone One enjoys a successful past and present. The future looks bright. Zone One Arabian Horse Club will continue to promote our Breed!
Following are the names of some owners and enthusiasts from the area who were active in the early years of Zone One Arabian Horse Club and helped spread word of the Beauty, Versatility and Enjoyment of the Arabian Breed. They are in no particular order
Helen McNorgan, Bill, Marjorie, Sherry, Bill Jr. and Heather Nowlan; Bill, Carmen and Lori Srigley; Bill and Annie Fowler, Dalton and Norma Finkbeiner, Bill, Sunny and Marysa Snider, Lloyd, Dianne and Shayna Lawrence, Vern Jackson; Jack, Donna, Craig and Steven Brandow; Maria Hoffer, Bob, Fran and Nadine Hewitt; John and Maxine Kelly, Connie, Bill and Cindy Wiersma; Billy and Donna Harris, Bob Wright, Marney Carter, Adriaan Brand, Shirley Bosley, Eileen Hume, Gord and Leta Abel, Wayne and Margaret Yeoman, Jerry and Sheila Pyne, Bill and Ethel Dodds, Dr. Seth Thompson, Bob Paton, Denise and Trevor Riley, Grace Wilson, Syl and Bev Pitana, Kim Watts, Karen and Brent Hudson, Wayne and Bonnie Longfield, Mary and Moose Clarke, Tex and Laura Kellestine, Bill, Mary and Kim Johnston, Shirley and Bill Watters, Ed and Pat Girvan, Glen and Penny Bearss, Merv Todd, Ray and Jean Phillips, Floyd and Grace Frederick, Jackie Oulton, Chip Harris, James H. Revell, Ray and Carol Dries, Doug and Midge Swayze, the Reids from Thamesville, Larry and Diane Miller, Tom Williamson and trainer Barry Monahan, Lynn Wallace
Prepared by Dianne Lawrence 2008
By 1974 membership in AHAEC exceeded the 300 mark and a group of members local to the zone one area discussed forming their own Arabian club.
Bill and Marjorie Nowlan, originally from Nova Scotia, residing in the London area were very active in the local Arabian community. Marjorie gave lessons. BilMarLee Stables and the Nowlans owned and exhibited stallions Barclay Azraff and Duke of Briarwood. Their daughter, Sherry successfully showed her gelding, Stone Arc Yissan one of the rare Arabians possessing the ‘Bloody Shoulder’ mark.
John and Maxine Kelly of Southwold were also very involved with Arabian horses. They owned and operated the Bungalo Resturant in Lambeth.
In 1974 Bill Nowlan approached John Kelly and discussed holding a dance at the restaurant to raise funds in order to form a local Arabian horse club. John agreed and this was the first of several dances called, “The Desert Smash” held at the Kelly’s restaurant.
After the initial fund raiser, an organizational meeting of local Arabian owners was held at the restaurant and the Zone One Club was formed. Bill Nowlan was the first President, with Directors, Jim Revell, Bob Hewitt, Eileen Hume, Helen McNorgan and Marj Nowlan. The meetings continued to be held at the Bungalo restaurant for two or three years. Bill Srigley was the second Zone President.
AHAEC, the head organization was responsible for all Arabian activities in their realm and zone representatives reported to the AHAEC Board of Directors. When this group formed its own Zone One Club, with its own executive, they wanted financial independence from AHAEC. However, the parent organization still wanted to control the zones. The local group resisted turning over money raised locally. AHAEC finally relinquished financial control of the zones and the local Club became known as: Zone One Arabian Horse Club so named by Mary Dancey Clarke..
Some members and Directors of Zone One decided to hold a recognized Class ‘A’ show in London and founded the Great Lakes Arabian Horse Show, Inc. The first show was held at the Western Fair Grounds in 1978. Although this was separate from Zone One, most of the organizers and volunteers were members of the Zone.
Other local Class ‘A’ Arabians shows with Zone One members involved in the organization were: The Lupus Arabian Horse Show, The Forest City Arabian Classic, The Dorchester Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Aylmer Fair Arabian Horse Show, the Exeter Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Woodstock Fair Arabian Horse Show, The Tillsonburg Fair Arabian Horse Show to name a few.
Social gatherings were common in the early days and dances frequent. The first Zone One Christmas Parties were held at the hall in Harrietsville. Later, the Annual Banquet and Dance was held at the Catherine Street Hall in Dorchester and then the Dorchester Optimist Hall. Members of the Club were responsible for preparing the main food items and everyone who attended brought a contribution for a Pot Luck style meal. Lots of work, but everyone enjoyed it immensely. There was always enough food left over from the meal to provide a midnight lunch after the dance and before members headed home. In the early days, Zone One offered a bar at functions, manned by Club members. This provided a source of income and produced a financial profit. Later, when insurance concerns became a factor, and Club banquets were held at the Optimist Hall and Legion, the bar was operated by their respective clubs. When the Annual Banquet moved to the Dorchester Legion meals were catered by the ladies of the Legion. In the past few years, the Club has held an Annual Brunch at the Pine Knott Golf and County Club.
The Zone held Schooling Shows at the Dorchester Fairgounds in the 1970’s. Syl and Bev Pittana were the driving force behind organizing the first shows. Bob Hewitt was the announcer. The initial focus was to school rider and horse in preparation for the recognized circuit and IAHA rules were followed. Proper tack and attire was a requirement.
Zone One also held the occasional Fun Show. These provided a chance for exhibitors to participate in some very funny classes and enjoy lots of laughs. Everyone had a great time and the shows were sometimes followed by a social get-together or barbeque.
Zone One Arabian Horse Club held clinics to educate members on various disciplines. Annual trail rides were held at Mary Johnson’s located in Ravenswood, Ipperwash as well as other rides including the Hay Swamp.
In January of 1984 Zone One hosted the A.H.A.E.C. Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet held at the Downtown Holiday Inn in London.
Over the years, the rules at Zone One Club Shows were relaxed and owners and exhibitors of other breeds were invited to participate. The focus was still primarily on the Arabian horse. Proper equipment, attire and tack were encouraged but not mandatory. However, safety was first and foremost. The shows provided a relaxed low key atmosphere to enable riders and horses to gain experience before moving on to the more structured Class ‘A’ circuit. For others not interested in the recognized circuit, it was a chance to enjoy a day of participating in a horse show at the club level. IAHA and CEF rules were rather loosely followed. The cost per class and total expense for a day of showing was minimal.
The membership and Board of Directors of Zone One decided they would offer year-end trophies for the Club Shows. Club Rules and Regulations were brought in. The focus of the Shows shifted from preparing for the recognized circuit to working toward a Zone One year-end trophy. This became the motivation for exhibiting. The move from Schooling Shows to Club Shows may be responsible for the decline in the quality of expertise of our exhibitors. Clinics to educate our members were held infrequently in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.
Zone One enjoys a successful past and present. The future looks bright. Zone One Arabian Horse Club will continue to promote our Breed!
Following are the names of some owners and enthusiasts from the area who were active in the early years of Zone One Arabian Horse Club and helped spread word of the Beauty, Versatility and Enjoyment of the Arabian Breed. They are in no particular order
Helen McNorgan, Bill, Marjorie, Sherry, Bill Jr. and Heather Nowlan; Bill, Carmen and Lori Srigley; Bill and Annie Fowler, Dalton and Norma Finkbeiner, Bill, Sunny and Marysa Snider, Lloyd, Dianne and Shayna Lawrence, Vern Jackson; Jack, Donna, Craig and Steven Brandow; Maria Hoffer, Bob, Fran and Nadine Hewitt; John and Maxine Kelly, Connie, Bill and Cindy Wiersma; Billy and Donna Harris, Bob Wright, Marney Carter, Adriaan Brand, Shirley Bosley, Eileen Hume, Gord and Leta Abel, Wayne and Margaret Yeoman, Jerry and Sheila Pyne, Bill and Ethel Dodds, Dr. Seth Thompson, Bob Paton, Denise and Trevor Riley, Grace Wilson, Syl and Bev Pitana, Kim Watts, Karen and Brent Hudson, Wayne and Bonnie Longfield, Mary and Moose Clarke, Tex and Laura Kellestine, Bill, Mary and Kim Johnston, Shirley and Bill Watters, Ed and Pat Girvan, Glen and Penny Bearss, Merv Todd, Ray and Jean Phillips, Floyd and Grace Frederick, Jackie Oulton, Chip Harris, James H. Revell, Ray and Carol Dries, Doug and Midge Swayze, the Reids from Thamesville, Larry and Diane Miller, Tom Williamson and trainer Barry Monahan, Lynn Wallace
Prepared by Dianne Lawrence 2008