The thing about plowing is that anyone can do it if they really want to, you just must set your mind to it, pay attention and learn from your mistakes. Tinkess Photo

NAVAN – The Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association hosted a very successful plowing match at 5281 Clayton Road, the farm of Allan and Robert Walsh. The event extended over two days, Fri., Aug. 22, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with the main event on Sat., Aug. 23, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by the dinner and award presentations following at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Friday was the VIP plowing day and plowing coaching day. The slate of VIP’s who participated was impressive, and included both Federal and Provincial members of Parliament, members of Ottawa City Council and several other local dignitaries.

There were four (4) classes in the VIP category, which was extremely competitive. In the Municipal class, first place resulted in a tie between City of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and City of Ottawa Councillor Catherine Kitts (Orléans South-Navan). Second place went to City of Ottawa Councillor Laura Dudas, (Orléans-West Inness), while third place went to City of Ottawa Councillor Isabelle Skalski, (Osgoode).

In the Provincial class it was a battle between two local MPP’s with MPP George Darouze (Carleton) capturing first place and MPP Stephen Blais (Orléans) finishing second.

There was only one competitor in the Federal Class with Carleton MP Bruce Fanjoy getting the win.

In the Open class it was Robert Dessaint of Sarsfield finishing first and Brian Coburn of Sarsfield capturing second place.

On Saturday, the “serious” plowing got underway. There were a total of 29 competitors with Judge Allan Carruthers from Grafton, ON assessing the quality of their work.

It was a great day, according to Linda Payant “The two days were amazing, hot, but amazing. The VIP plowing, we got more VIPs compared to last year, I would say a couple of more. I think they were excited.

“There were some new people, new councilors at Ottawa,” added Payant. “Isabelle Skalski and Laura Dudas.”

It has been a very hot and dry summer, so there was some concern how that would affect things, but fortunately it wasn’t a problem.

Plowing wrapped up around 3:00 p.m., giving everyone time to enjoy supper (lasagna) before the presentation of the awards.

Jennifer Hyland acted as M/C for the event, and with help from Linda Payant and Don Good, the awards were presented.

“So here we are again, another end of the Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association plowing match,” said Hyland. “Thank you to our hosts and our sponsors for their generous donations to us. Today, there were 29 competitors, so that’s a great job.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have anybody under the age of 20, so some of our awards we won’t be handing out, but this wouldn’t be the first year, I think, that we don’t have a young person plowing.”

Most competitors (eight) were in Class 2 C – 2 Furrow Mounted Plow – Open (Open Split required)

First place went to Allen Hills from Ashton, with Chris Allen from Vankleek Hill finishing second, Brian Maitland from Jasper finishing third and Mark Dowdall from Lanark finishing fourth.

There were seven competitors in Class 7 A & B.

In class A -Prior to 1945 (Trail Plows) Russell Jones from Lyndhurst finished first, Amber Couturier from North Gower finished second, Chloé Roy from St. Eugène finished third and Luc Roy from St. Eugène finished fourth.

In class B-1946 to 1960 (Trail Plows), Michel Calande from Alfred finished first, Frank Joly from Rockland finished second, Pierre Joly from Hammond finished third, and Paul Bourbonnais from Sarsfield finished fourth.

In the Horse category, there were three teams over two classes

In Class 1 – Horse Class – Jointer Plow Open, first place went to Samuel Bourgon from Maxville while Stephane Bourgon from Maxville came in second.

In Class 1B – Horse Class (Sulky Plow) First place went to Glenn Conway from Chute-A-Blondeau

There was one (1) competitor in Reversible Plows, Joseph Bloderer from North Dundas.

Several special prizes were also handed out:

  • Best Plowed Land – Allen Hills from Ashton
  • Best Antique Plow Person – Michel Calande from Alfred
  • Champion Horse Plow Person – Glenn Conway from Chute-A-Blondeau
  • Best Open Split – Stephen Manley from Berwick
  • Best Plowed Land (Conv) Allen Hills from Ashton
  • Best Open Split – Stephen Manley from Berwick
  • Best Crown – Chris Allen from Vankleek Hill
  • Best Finish – Allen Hills from Ashton
  • CPC 16 Award – Allen Hills and Chris Allen

Another year, another couple days, and another time-honoured tradition remembered. A good day all around.

Special thanks were offered to members of Vintage Iron and Traditions of Eastern Ontario (VITEO) for bringing their tractors as display, The Ottawa Federation of Agriculture, and to all the sponsors for helping to make this event possible.