t November 29, 2024 Stratford Times Perth County Federation of Agriculture hands out GARY WEST Times Correspondent The Perth County Federation of Agri- culture (PCFA) held its annual Harvest Red Tie Gala in Stratford Nov. 21, and the evening program included presentations of scholarships to two young Perth Coun- ty university students. The first recipient of a $1,000 scholar- ship was Ian Egger from the Egger dairy farm family of Gadshill. Egger has been attending the Universi- " ty of Guelph and is studying and working toward his bachelor of science in agricul- ture. Growing up, he said he spent countless hours in the buddy seat of the tractor with his dad. Once he got older, he realized how much science was behind farming and became an “aggie” at the University of Guelph. Egger immersed himself in many clubs, including the dairy science club, the student Federation of OAC club and the square-dancing club. He also enrolled in 4-H and spent time at Agrama in Switzerland. two scholarships He has also been involved in local church fundraisers and helped out with breakfast on the farm at Hill Manor Farms near Mitchell this year. Egger says he would like to take over his family farm some day, but did work off the farm last summer at Perth Ag. Partners. In accepting the scholarship, he said maybe someday he’ll have a son or daugh- ter sitting with him in the buddy seat of his own tractor on his own farm. The second $1,000 scholarship went to Greta DeWetering, who comes from her family farm outside of Sebringville Tais- ing swine, beef and growing certified-or- ganic grains. For the past eight years, she has been an active member of the Perth county 4-H program, participating in many clubs in- cluding crafts, baking and livestock. She has been president for the past three years of the Perth county 4-H beef club and is in her second year as vice president of her Ontario Agriculture College class. She is studying at the University of Guelph and is working towards becoming a large-animal veterinarian. SCHOLARSHIPS (LAURA GOOD PHOTO) Pictured are the two Perth County Federation of Agriculture-scholarship winners, Greta DeWetering and lan Egger, each accepting a $1,000 scholarship cheque. Stratford and District Saddle Club holds annual GARY WEST awards dinner Times Correspondent * Awards were handed out recently to riders with the Stratford and District Saddle club, which saw a local Perth County teenager walk away with the grand prize for most points for the summer’s competition. Annan Murphy from St. Marys, who rides Cleopatra, finished with the most number of points and was award- eda large championship belt buckle from the Mary Mur- phy family for her efforts. Coming in a close second was Avery Wilhelm with her horse, Captain Insano, while thirdrd overall went to Dustin Power with his horse named Sixteen. i Saddle Club president Martin Ritsma said the compe- tition was another great year for western horse riders in the area that ranged in age from four to 50 years old. Those interested in riding in next year’s program should contact Helen Thomson at hmthomson95@gmail. com. TRIBUTED PHOTOS) Above: The high-point winners in their individual classes at this year’s Saddle Club competition are, in the front row from left, Lila Bage, Hailey Bell, Savannah Jacobs, Averie Jacobs, Dominic Pow- er, Luke Bell and Dustin Power. In the back row from left are Ava Bage, Makayla Tinney, Charlotte Fisher, Annan Murphy and Pearl Fawcett. Absent are Ben Bell, Penelope Forester and Avery Wilhelm. Left: Makayla Tinney and Charlotte Fisher, who both rode a horse named Spirit, are two young riders from Cherry Grove Stables in Thorndale who took home the hardware in their gilded corse at this summer’s Stratford Saddle Club com Right: sna Murphy from St. Marys won the championship belt buckle while riding her horse, Cleopatra, in this sum- mer’s saddle-club competition.