Quarter horse racers receive lifetime award

ERIN - Bryn and Carol Robertson were honoured with a lifetime achievement award on Oct. 12 at the second annual Horse Heritage Hall of Fame event at the Erin Fall Fair.

The presentation was made at the horse tent by Rod Perry, president of the Erin Agricultural Society (EAS), Carol Wetering of Budson’s, racing groom Zac Kennedy and Erin Mayor Allan Alls.

Bryn and Carol, who have been married for 53 years, operate Hillerin Farm on the 9th Line of Erin. They have been very successful at racing quarter horses.

“We are proud and honoured,” said Bryn, as they accepted congratulations from family members and friends.

“They have inspired so many young people,” said Kennedy.

The Robertsons started a local horse club known as EBHO (Erin, Ballinafad, Hillsburgh, Ospringe), and have been active in the barrel racing association.

Carol said she was almost embarrassed to receive the award because there are so many people contributing to the horse community.

“Erin is a great area for horses,” she said.

One of their recent successes came with the horse Had to be Ivory, bred, born and trained at Hillerin, being honoured as 2018 Canadian champion by the American Quarter Horse Association.

Quarter horses excel at sprinting shorter distances, compared to thoroughbreds.

Another of their star horses, One Famous Glass, who was Horse of the Year in 2013, joined them at the Oct. 12 award presentation. In seven years of racing, One Famous Glass had 44 starts, with 18 first place finishes, 11 seconds and 7 thirds. Perry said the awards were initiated last year to recognize people, businesses, organizations and horses that have contributed to the local equine community. “Erin is comprised of multi-generational horse families and has been home to national and international horse champions, breeders, racing winners and Olympians,” said Perry.