Ottawa, Ontario — Harry and Shawn Littler of Wingberry Farms have been recognized as the 2006 Jump Canada Owner of the Year.
Shawn is a business graduate who has been involved in the horse industry for 20 years. After showing extensively on the Ontario ‘A’ circuit as a junior rider, she recently returned to competition. In 2000, Shawn went into business with her father, Harry, to create Wingberry Farms in King City, ON. In just six years of operation, Harry and Shawn have built the business into a prominent, full scale training, boarding and sales operation.
In 2003, Shawn and Harry Littler teamed up with Canadian show jumping rider Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON. Together, they have brought horses up through the competitive ranks to the Grand Prix level. A prime example is Stuntman, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Salieri that Shawn and Harry imported from Germany in 2003.
“I absolutely love the way that Margie handles the horses, and I am so happy with how Stuntman has progressed,” commented Shawn Littler, who explained that Gayford is also riding some of Wingberry Farms’ up and coming prospects, including the seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Winston. “We really love the sport and the horses, and are so appreciative of Margie for all of her hard work. We are very excited for the future.”
Gayford and Stuntman formed a great relationship over the past three years, advancing through the jumper ranks with immense success. The pair has been extremely successful this season, enjoying a win in the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the ‘Kubota’ Collingwood Classic, a second place finish in the $50,000 Grand Prix at the Caledon National, and a third place finish at the CSI-W Caledon Summer Festival in the $100,000 World Cup Grand Prix. With only the Royal Horse Show left on the Canadian competition calendar, they are leading both the Jump Canada Series and the Canadian League World Cup standings.
“I really enjoy working with Harry and Shawn,” commented Gayford. “They have gone to great lengths to ensure every opportunity for developing this partnership with Stuntman. They are extremely supportive and always have the horses’ best interest in mind. Harry and Shawn are very deserving of this award.”
In recognition of their achievements and their dedication to Canadian show jumping, Shawn and Harry Littler were presented with a Waterford crystal bowl, as well as a Jump Canada award, in a special ceremony prior to the start of the CN World Cup Grand Prix at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, on November 8.
“We feel very honoured, and appreciative of this recognition,” said Shawn Littler. “We love the business and enjoy giving back to the sport.”
Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, hunter equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.jumpcanada.ca.
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