Wednesday, September 20, 2006 · Page 7 Farm Hiker Tour gives glimpse of country life BY DANIEL SCHWAB HARROW Brendon Laing seemed a little modest after being congratulated more than a few times at his family's Cidermill Farms equestrian facility Sunday. The Harrow farm was one of seven sites included in the 13th annual Essex County Farm Hiker Tour, which brought out a few well-wishers and friends of the Laing family. Over the Labour Day weekend, Laing captured the Ontario Horse Trials Assocation's Training Division Championship with his seven-year-old riding horse "Dapper Dan." Up against 30 other riders, Laing took Dapper Dan through three phases during the competition that tested the horse's agility, obedience and show jumping abilities. The event is modeled after old-time cavalry training, Laing said. "You've got to demonstrate your horse all-around," he explained. Laing has been riding with Dapper Dan for five years. He jokingly considers the horse a Windsor Warmblood, "because his breed is kind of a mystery." Laing says he will be returning to competitive riding when the season begins again next April. Until then, the 22-year-old helps out around Cidermill as a horse training coach. The Essex County Federation of Agriculture tour gave both rural residents and urbanites a glimpse into the facility, which includes a 30-acre apple orchard. The Laing family opened Cidermill in 1995. Brendon's mother Pat, the owner of the facility, said one of the benefits of the tour is the experience it gives to novice riders. "A lot of riders bringing their horses here are green," Pat said. "This gives them a chance to experience what they might see at a show." An equestrian jumper show was held in the facility's stadium, which included riders of all ages. Thirty horses are currently boarded at the facility, which also includes riding lessons, training and breeding. ECFA president Julien Papineau said the site is an example of what "country life is like." Papineau said part of the focus of the tour is an attempt to draw visitors from the city. BORN TO RIDE Harrow's Brendon Laing, centre, stands with his riding horse Dapper Dan and judge Anne Morgan at Will O' Wind Farms near Orangeville, Ont., during the Ontario Horse Trials Association's Championship Labour Day weekend. Laing captured the Training Division title for events that included both show jumping and cross-country jumping with Dapper Dan. "It's about really seeing what our area has to offer," Papineau said. The self-guided tour also Eric Niven's included Quarter Horses and Stock Farm in Amherstburg, an Essex Region Conservation Authority demonstration farm east of Holiday Beach and the Erie Shore Vineyard in Harrow. "Things like horse riding programs and wineries are the flavour of our county," LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. Estate Sale for the late Mike Heggie at 3558 Maisonneuve Ave., Windsor. (4 blocks W. of Dougall off Beals) on Saturday, September 23 at 9:00 a.m., Preview at 8:00 a.m. Very large sale of metal and woodworking equipment and mechanical to consist of engine hoist, power hack saws, assortment of vises, hammers, clamps, pipe vises, anvils, saws, sanders, grinders, motors,sockets and wrench sets, air compressors, hydraulic jacks, pumps, arbour presses, approx. 15 tool chests, drill presses, band saws, table saws, metal lathes, aluminum step and ext. ladders, vacuums, pipe benders, chain saws, cut of saws, battery chargers, car ramps, kerosene heaters, riding lawn mower, snow blowers, weed wacker, ext. cords, chains, trailer hitches, utility wheels, tires, misc. steel tubing etc. set of 12' iron gates, 12x20 portable car port, 27' travel trailer (no ownership), 3 wheel bikes, 4500 watt generator plus much, much, more. Terms: Cash or Interac. LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. Local restaurant is closing - owners retiring. For convenience the chattles and inventory will be sold from our location at 13400 Desro Dr., Tecumseh on Tuesday, Sept. 26th at 10 a.m. Items to include toasters, ele steam table, charbroiler, 2 door pop fridge, chest and standup freezers, coolers, misc. mixers, food processors, glass showcases, service counters, bar stools, various shelving, ceiling fans, hanging lamps, mirrors, filing cabinets, slicer, glassware, dishes, store fixtures, kitchen ware, plate and cup shelves, trays, double boiler, bussing carts, T.V., CD player, storage bins, carpet sweepers, soap dispensers, telephones, Christmas decorations, pictures, 6 wooden barrels with plants, outdoor sign with letters, misc. auto products, misc. dry goods, 2 antique stage coach lamps, antique baby carriage (rattan), antique stoves for display plus many other related items. Terms: Cash or Interac. 10% buyer premium. Papineau said. "They're all fascinating sites, so we're trying to expose it to people because we're proud of what we have here." Visitors to Cidermill Farms were free to enjoy the activities offered at the site, which included equestrian demonstrations and apple picking. SANITATION SEPTIC, HOLDING TANK PUMPING & EEL SERVICE "A PLEDGE OF SERVICE" kend Wee vice Ser able Avail RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. 735-3070 TECUMSEH RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. 735-3070 TECUMSEH Thank-you! The Colchester South and Harrow Agricultural Society Board of Directors wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to each person and organization whose efforts contributed to a very successful 152nd Harrow Fair. To the people who entered the many competitions and provided demonstrations: Thank-you for sharing your talents. To the service clubs and associations who presented a varied menu: We hope your involvement was beneficial. Businesses and individuals who sponsored specials: You provided that extra incentive. Thank you! Commercial exhibitors. We hope the fairgoers stopped at your displays. Businesses who advertised our Fair through the various media: Thank-you. The Media who presented our events to your audiences: We appreciate the coverage. The volunteers who appeared to assist our Directors: You made our load lighter. Thank-you. The people who came through the gates in steady numbers: Your attendance encourages us. The 4 H Clubs: You are our hope for a continued agricultural future. Special Appreciation to the Knights of Columbus for staffing our gates so well, Essex Police Service, Harrow Fire Department and Windsor Essex E.M.S. for your assistance, Lions Club for traffic control during the Parade, Harrow Rotary Club for marshalling the Parade, Harrow Boy Scouts for the excellent job of keeping the fairgrounds clean, Cottam Rotary for managing the ticket booths so well, Harrow Public Works, Countryside Disposal, Essex Hydro, St. John's Ambulance Staff, Harrow Minor Baseball for keeping the picnic shelter clean and tidy, and Harrow Country Depot and neighbours for providing space to assemble the parade. Thank You (519) CELL 738-3309 (519) 791-7964 Uncle Earl Thanks for your support! GRAND CHAMPION LAMB - GORD'S ABATTOIR (LEAMINGTON) RES. CHAMPION LAMB - NATURE FRESH (LEAMINGTON) GRAND CHAMPION STEER - BARRY ZEKELMAN (HARROW) RES. CHAMPION STEER - NATURE FRESH (LEAMINGTON) GRAND CHAMPION SWINE - GORD'S ABATTOIR (LEAMINGTON) RES. CHAMPION SWINE - GUS REVENBERG (WINDSOR) 4-D Sausage Kitchen - Essex ADM Agri Ltd. - Essex Agris Co-operative - Stoney Point Allen Rogers - Amherstburg Barry Zekelman - Harrow Cargill - Harrow Castle Beef - Oldcastle CF Farms - Leamington Chevalier Drainage - Woodslee Exomark - Tecumseh Gord's Abattoir - Leamington Gus Revenberg Grand Valley Fortifiers - Blenheim Greg Gill - Windsor John Spag - Tecumseh Kentown Ltd. - Comber Land-o-Lakes Canada - Guelph McDonald Transport Ltd. - Dutton Nature Fresh - Leamington OSI-Swine Genetics - Wheatley Saturn of Windsor - Windsor Shur-Gain - Blenheim South Essex Fab. - Kingsville Tamar Building Supply - Windsor Willms Financial - Windsor to all the buyers of livestock from the 2006 Essex 4-H Livestock Auction (held at the Comber Fair) Thank-you! Special thanks also to Richard Lavin for his auctioneering services.