From the left: 2025 Stormont County Queen of the Furrow Haleigh-Jo tePlate is joined by plowing judges Murray Manley, Matthew McGuire and Allen Cass just prior to the beginning of the 2025 Stormont County Plowing Match on Sat., Oct. 11. Thompson Goddard Photo

STORMONT COUNTY – The weather was wonderful for the 2025 Stormont County Plowing Match held at 15010 Concession 1-2 in the Township of North Stormont. The Oct. 11 event was hosted by Dave Brown and organized by the Stormont Plowmens Association (SPA), with 60 plowers and eight 4-H members participating in the event.

Alyssa Waldroff and Kelsey Smith, secretary and president of the SFA respectively, were busy registering participants, with the Goldfield Calf Club from Stormont County 4-H providing a selection of beverages and food on-site. The funds raised will be used for activities throughout the year as well as support for members attending The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in early November. Lillian Smith mentioned that Nicole Spichtig and Cooper Brisson from the Goldfield Calf Club will be competing at the RAWF, with Jill Robinson mentioning that Nadis Uhr, Jasmine Uhr, Josh Uhr, Addison Quaile, Lily Griffith, Adela Bretzler and Myla Bretzler have also qualified to attend this prestigious event.

Allen Cass, Murray Manley and Matthew McGuire were the three judges for the 2025 Stormont County Plowing Match. Manley judged the 4-H members participating, with Cass and McGuire judging all plowers at the event.

The event was held on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend. This is a long-standing tradition with the SPA as they will not compete with other counties dates for plowing matches, explained SPA Association Rep and Past President of the Ontario Plowmens Association Jeff Waldroff.

An evening banquet, with Leatherworks Catering providing a wonderful meal, with awards and the announcement that Haleigh-Jo tePlate will be the Queen of the Furrow in Stormont County and Sierra Miller will be the Stormont County Princess of the Furrow both 2025-2026. This will be tePlate’s “third and final year to represent us.” commented Alyssa Waldroff.

Thanks were expressed to participants and all the sponsors by Jeff Waldroff on behalf of the SPA, with a sincere thank you to David Brown Farms for hosting the event.

Plowing Class Results from the 2025 Stormont County Plowing Match were provided by Alyssa Waldroff.

Class 1A: Jointer Horse Plowing

  • First Place: Samuel Bourgon, Maxville, ON
  • Second Place: Stephane Bourgon, Maxville, ON

Class 1B: Sulky Horse Plowing

  • First Place: Brent Christie, Prescott, ON
  • Second Place: Claude L’Ecuyer, St. Isidore, ON

Class 2A: Antique Tractors with Trail Plow

  • First Place: Michel Calande, Alfred, ON
  • Second Place: Yannick Gagne, Casselman, ON

Class 2C:  Antique plowing with a hydraulic mounted plow

  • First Place: Nicole Calande, Alfred, ON
  • Second Place: Denis Bourbonnais, Gatineau, QC

Class 3A: Farm Standard – 2 furrow plow

  • First Place: Daniel Glaude, Berwick, ON

Class 3B:  Farm Standard – 3 furrow plow

  • First Place: Hayden Doucet, Berwick, ON
  • Second Place: Kayla Manley, Ottawa, ON

Class 4: Competitors 18 years and under, open to all

  • First Place: Alexandra Bloderer, Mountain, ON
  • Second Place:  Anna-Maria Bloderer, Mountain, ON
  • Third Place: William Loos, Avonmore, ON

Class 5A: 2-Furrow Competitive Plowing

  • First Place: Mark Dowdall, Lanark, ON
  • Second Place: Allen Hills, Ashton, ON

Class 5B: 3-Furrow Competitive Plowing

  • First Place: Justin Manley, Berwick, ON
  • Second Place: Stephen Manley, Berwick, ON

Class 7: Reversible

  • First Place: Bob Campsall, Woodsville, ON
  • Second Place: Josef Bloderer, Mountain, ON

Specials:

  • Best Open Split: Chris Allen, Vankleek Hill, ON
  • Best Crown: Bob Campsall, Woodsville, ON
  • Best Finish: Mark Dowdall, Lanark, ON
  • Best Plowed Land by Antique Tractor & Plough: Michel and Nicole Calande, Alfred, ON
  • Youngest Plower: William Loos, 13 years, Avonmore, ON
  • Oldest Plower: Allen Hills, 79 years, Ashton, ON
  • Farthest Travelled Plower with Plow Equipment: Bob Campsall, Woodsville, ON. A distance of 437 km
  • Best Overall Plowed Land: Bob Campsall, Woodsville, ON
  • Bernard Beehler Trophy – Best Plowed Land by a Stormont Resident: Marvin Waldroff, Newington, ON (tractor) tied with Stephane Bourgon, Moose Creek, ON (horse)
  • Best Overall Plowed Land in the Horse Classes: Samuel Bourgon, Maxville, ON