Wellington County plowman Carman Weppler regained his Ontario Conventional Plowing Championship at the 2016 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, which wrapped up here on Sept. 24.
After missing the IPM last fall to compete in the 2015 World Ploughing Competition in Denmark, Weppler was eager for a chance to take the Ontario title again.
After returning from Denmark last year, Weppler purchased a new, larger tractor and built many new adjustments to his competition plow based on what he learned from the elite plowmen at the global competition.
Weppler was among the winners of the BMO Bank of Montreal Plowing Competition, including several from Wellington County and surrounding area, recognized at the IPM 2016 Celebration of Excellence banquet at the Harriston arena on Sept. 23.
Weppler, of the Clifford area, was Ontario champion in Class 5 Group 1 – Tractors, Conventional Plows. He was also among the winners of the Graeme, Helen and Michael Craig Special, as was Daryl Hostrawser of East Garafraxa.
Kathleen MacRobbie of Mount Forest was reserve champion in Class 1, Group 2 – Horses, Jointer Plow (Walking).
Nicholas Sanders of Guelph was reserve champion in Class 3 Group 2 – Tractors, 3 Furrows, 3 or less years IPM competition.
Erich Weber of Ayton was reserve champion in Class 4 Group 2 – Tractors, 4 Furrows, 3 or less years IPM Competition.
IPM 2016 chair Ron Faulkner offered congratulations to all participants in the plowing competitions and thanked plowing match hosts Anne and Earl Schneider and other landowners for their contributions to the success of the match. He also recognized the volunteers.
“I am indeed honoured to represent a tremendous group of volunteers that have put this match on … I am proud, so proud, of each and every one of them who have worked so hard to put this match on,” said Faulkner.
“To see the community come together with thousands of volunteers, and landowners, and you didn’t have to ask or tell them, it just got done … I just think that’s tremendous.
“The biggest benefit to the community is that everyone pulls together to get it done and that’s what builds community spirit.”
