President's Message - 2009

 Another year has passed, and another change in the presidency of the Canadian Percheron Association. I would like to thank the board of directors for putting their trust in me to lead this association into the future. I would also like to congratulate outgoing President, Dave Logie, on a very successful term. He was instrumental in what would ultimately become a successful agreement between our association and the Percheron Horse Association of America, a very positive step.
 
Congratulations need also to be extended to Ontario director Kim Davidson and his hard working team, hosts of the World Percheron Congress held in Toronto this past July. This was a tremendous show, and a testament to the strength of the Percheron horse. We look forward to the next Congress to be held in Des Moines, IA in October of 2010.
 
We would like to welcome Wade Joorosity of Saskatchewan who became the director for this province following the resignation of John Sack. We thank John for his contributions to the board over the years.
 
At the annual meeting held September 27 in Sussex, NB, the motion to implement DNA testing for all newly registered females as of January 1, 2009 was passed. As always your Board strives to ensure the purity of our breed, and this is a step toward having the parentage of all purebred Percheron horses verified by both sire and dam DNA. This
new regulation will also assist in the ease of sale across our border  into the USA, as the Percheron Horse Association of America also implemented this DNA requirement. The Board would like to stress that we are here to help make this transition as easy as possible for the membership, and encourage members to contact us if there are any
questions.
 
Many thanks to Kathy for her continued dedication to the Percheron breed. Always available to the board, she is also there to assist the membership, and spends countless hours in the quest to promote the Canadian Percheron horse.
 
Wishing everyone good health, happiness and horses in 2009.
 
Donna Swanston, President