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Horseman's Hall of Fame
DONNA HUNTER
Tonight the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze committee is pleased to
induct Donna Hunter of Kenton into their
Horseman's Hall of Fame.
Those inducted into the Horseman's Hall of Fame are people who have made a
significant contribution to the horse industry in this area as breeders,
promoters, organizers, by achievements in competition or in countless
other ways.
Donna purchased her first Welsh Pony mare in 1964 making her a
pioneer Welsh breeder in Manitoba. Soon after, she purchased another
mare to make a team to show at local fairs to promote her beloved Welsh
pony breed.
Donna was a founding director of the Manitoba Welsh Pony and Cob
association. She held various executive positions on the board and
has been secretary for many years. She was one of the driving forces
behind the first Manitoba Welsh Pony provincial show. They have just
held their 34th annual show and all have benefited from Donna's
involvement. For many years Donna produced an annual Welsh yearbook
which grew to cover the close knit community of Welsh enthusiasts all over
Canada.
When the Canadian Welsh Pony and Cob Society came into being Donna became
a Governor. For 12 years she was president of the Canadian Society.
Her great commitment to the breed combined with her people skills made her
a great fit for the presidents chair.
Donna purchased her 1st stallion Ardmore Eclipse in 1977 as a fourteen
year old and stood him until his passing at 28 years of age. She
eventually found another stallion, "Young's Coming Up Big", and kept him
until she retired as a breeder a few years ago.
Donna concentrated on raising quality ponies, not quantity, never having
more than 4 foals a year. Her foals all carried the Kenview prefix
in their name and she raised 80 of them over the years.
Donna bred Section A Welsh-under 50 inches tall. She was assisted by
her late husband Ken who, although not a pony person, kept things running
at home.
She sold ponies to B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the
eastern U.S. Twice a pony bearing the Kenview name swept all the
classes at the Toronto Royal Fair being named Supreme Champion. A
couple of her foals were eventually purchased by a lady in North Carolina
who took them to Europe and was very successful in driving competitions
there.
In the words of Jack Brathwaite, a noted Welsh Pony judge and exhibitor
from Ontario. "Donna was a Welsh Pony breeder extraordinaire.
All of the ponies she raised were exceptional movers. She has the
very exceptional gift to be able to predict which ponies will nick with
her stallion to produce driving champions. No one else in Canada can
boast of having produced as many driving champions as Donna. In
Welsh driving circles all over the world, the Kenview ponies are held in
high esteem.
Hall of Fame Plaque presented by Virden Rodeo representatives:
Steve Dryden & Jocelyn Hagan
Bouquet of flowers presented by the Welsh Pony Society:
Donna Jack & Doreen Lawlor
(click on picture to view larger image)
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