On behalf of the outgoing 2008-2009 ORA Board of Directors and the new 2010-2011 ORA Board of Directors, we want to say "Thank You" to everyone that attended the Annual General Meeting and the Awards Banquet this past weekend in Milton, Ontario.

We were aware of how rough the weather was for a number of the people who eventually made it.

Your participation in these settings was greatly appreciated.  The AGM was very informative and productive.  And your attendance at the Awards Ceremony was appreciated as well.  It shows great ORA Pride when such a large group of people converge on one place to celebrate with the newly crowned champions.

To all of our Directors that served on the Board last year, thank you.  Reflecting on the entire year, we discussed and worked on a lot.  Though there may have been several different opinions on each matter, I think we all can say that 2009 was a good year for the Association.  Each of you did your part and played an integral role in our success. 

Thank you to the many sponsors that supported the Association over the past season: Sprucewood Leasing, D&R Contracting, Professional Farrier Supply, Ontario Rodeo Entertainment dot ca, A Bar K Rodeo, Southern Steele Quarter Horses, Collver Towing, Rawhide Rodeo Company, Wild Wild West Apparel, in addition to the ORA Board of Directors representatives that sponsored prizing as well.

Thank you to the many committees that put on events in 2009.  We are so fortunate that you give us a place to compete, and a place to showcase our skills in front of your friends, family and neighbours.  We know that in most cases, your service to your Rodeo is often strictly volunteer with no personal gain, and we can't thank you enough.  Though we recognize one "Rodeo of the Year", we consider each and every one of our sanctioned events as part of our Rodeo Family, and we look forward to coming back in 2010.

Thank you to the entire ORA Membership.  From the Associate Member to the Contesting Member, and especially the Life Member, thanks for choosing to be a part of our Organization.  We will continue to work on your behalf towards improving your experience through both seasons (off-season and in-season), but thanks for continually making us the largest and the strongest.

A thank you to the many Family Members that support our contestant base as well.  Though you may not be a regular on the arena floor, we do recognize you standing against the rail.

As for the overall success of our banquet, thank you to our Social Director, Toni German for organizing the event for the second consecutive year.  Thank you to our DJ, Terry Foster of "Hillbilly Entertainment" and the entire service staff at the Best Western Milton Inn for assisting in making this event a Gala.  Thanks to all of the "faces and personalities of the ORA" that presented awards, and thanks to Bobbi Fawcett for assisting with the execution of what has now become "the production".

It has been an absolute pleasure serving as your President of this great organization.  As we venture closer to Rodeo Season, I'm very excited to lead this Family into 2010 for what will be one of the best years in the Association's tenure.

Hope to see you in London at the IPRA Canadian Finals, and good luck to all of our ORA Members that qualified for that inaugural event.

Best,

Joe Scully, ORA President