Stormont 4-H does plowing day
Plowing coaches Allen Hills and Jean-Marc Dessaint (both of whom will compete at the IPM in Huron County) were available for questions from the Stormont 4-H Plowing Club members: Patrick, Clemence, Hayden, Jonas, Brandon, Remy and Stormont Princess of the Furrow Haleigh-Jo. Haleigh-Jo also picked up a few tricks from two-year Ottawa Carleton Queen of the Furrow Cassidy Reaney. The 4-Hers were brought to the match by 4-H leaders Cynthia and Bernard Daoust.         Sawyer Helmer photos

Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
RICHMOND – The Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association (OCPA) Plowing Match took place in Twin Elm (Richmond) over the weekend of Aug. 25 and 26. Friday held the opening ceremony followed by a VIP plowing competition attended by a number of Ottawa city councillors and media personnel. Chair of the OCPA Sharen Armstrong said the event requires, “good weather, a good field and good help.” All of which turned out to come true for the two-day event. The competition took place on Charles Brophy’s farm in Twin Elm, being rented for crop by Bruce Hill. Hill generously took a hit on his wheat harvest profits by clearing the field when moisture was at a high 28 rather than the desired 14.

Ottawa Carleton Queen of the Furrow Cassidy Reaney was joined by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Allen Hills during the VIP plowing match, on Fri., Aug. 25.

The VIP plowing match competitors received their honourary participation trophies after a fun day at the VIP Ottawa Carleton Plowing Match held on Fri., Aug. 25.

“I couldn’t do it without Linda Payant, Gib Patterson, Bill Tupper, Ron Stinson, Richard McDonald and Theresa Whalen,” explained Armstrong. The event takes approximately a month to plan and can see plowing from antique, conventional and horse-drawn plows.

Also in attendance at the VIP day was the Stormont 4-H Plowing Club. Thanks to the leaders of the club, Cynthia Daoust and her husband Bernard, the seven member group of 4-Hers had the opportunity to learn the process of competitive plowing, ask the judges questions and attend an afternoon workshop, as well as help set up for Saturday’s main event.

The judges ruled Ottawa City Councillor Stephen Blais of Cumberland Ward, the winner of the VIP match following a catered lunch provided by Grace Mussell.

In the later released press document, Saturday’s plowing match winners were announced. “On Sat., Aug. 19, plowers using both modern and vintage tractors as well as horses vied for titles in the OCPA Plowing Match. Class winners were: Horse Class Jointer Plow, Amateur: Samuel Bourgon, Dalkeith; 2 Furrow Mounted Plow (open split required): Allen Hills, Ashton; 2 Furrow Mounted Plow, Amateur (open split not required): Morgan Stinson, Kemptville; Antique Tractor, prior to 1945: Jean Guy Thivierge, Hammond; Antique Tractor, 1946 – 1960: Jean Marc Dessaint, Sarsfield; Antique Mounted Plow: Nicole Calande, Alfred; Overall Horse Land: Samuel Bourgon; Overall Antique Land: Jean Marc Dessaint; Overall Land and Highest Scored Land: Jean Marc Dessaint.”