2006 Area 3 Reserve High Point All Around Select Amateur

Heather says, “Although I have had a great deal of support from many friends, my # 1 supporter is my husband, John, who makes sure the truck and trailer are ready, the fridge is packed, and holds down the fort while I am away. Also, Kelly Simpson and her staff have provided invaluable guidance over the last six years. However, my main support comes from my fellow Select Amateur Competitors with their encouragement, friendship and advice.” As a World Show Qualifier in 2004, 2005 and 2006 – Heather has been getting some great help.

Heather retired from teaching in 2000, after 32 years as an elementary school teacher. She and John own a small acreage in Fesserton, which is between Coldwater and Waubaushene. John and Heather have been married for 35 years and they have two married children – Ashleigh (27 years old) and Mark (26 years old). Mark was recently married over the Thanksgiving weekend. Her kids refer to her as the “Cagekeeper” due to the number of pets in her house. She is the babysitting for the family pets and this means at times her house is full with 5 cats, 2 dogs, plus the barn houses 2 cats and strays that stop in for a free meal.

Heather started showing quarter horses at the club level in 1976. She caught the horse show “bug” and continued her show career attending fairs and several club shows. In 1993, she participated in her first OQHA show. The following year, Heather and Ashleigh showed at the provincial level and continued attending shows together until Ashleigh headed to university. Heather has been a regular on the OQHA circuit ever since!!

Heather has been showing her current mount, Stellarette (Stella), a 1998 mare by The Next Star, since 2004. She shows in all around and her favourite events are the English classes. She travels with her Sheltie, Sable to the Ontario shows from Ilderton to Carp. Her most memorable horse show moment was winning the Circuit Award for Hunt Seat Equitation at Summerama in 2003 with Charlies Lunchen. In 2003 and 2005, Heather was the OQHA Reserve All Round Select Amateur winner and it looks like she will win this honour once again this year.

Outside of horse showing, Heather keeps herself very busy. She is a member of the Barrie Huronia Soundwaves, a chorus with Sweet Adelines International, an accapella singing group. Each spring, they travel to Syracuse New York to compete with about 25 other choruses in the Region. As well, she sings in a quartet, "Northern Routes". Presently, the quartet’s goal is to compete onstage in Syracuse in 2007. In the winter, she is a regular on the slopes of Mount St. Louis Moonstone Ski Resort.

Congratulations on your past successes Heather and best of luck in 2007!!!