Equine Canada has named Allan Ehrlick as the 2011 Volunteer of the Year.
Ehrlick, of Campbellville, ON, has been a member of Equine Canada since 1960, and has worked tirelessly throughout the years, contributing thousands of volunteer hours, to improve equestrian sport in Canada.
In 2010, at the behest of Ehrlick, the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) volunteered to administer the equine drug testing program on behalf of Equine Canada. At the time, the program was not centralized and because of Ehrlick and the OEF, Equine Canada was able to build the infrastructure necessary to assume the administration of the program in 2011. Ehrlick volunteered countless hours in order to make this transition possible.
“Equine Canada is grateful for assistance of the OEF and particularly Allan during this transition,” said Equine Canada Chief Operating Officer, Craig Andreas. “Allan is a tremendous contributor to equestrianism, and I am proud to have him as a member of our very strong volunteer team.”
The Equine Canada Equine Medication Control Committee, of which Ehrlick is a member, created the new national program, which resulted in a single, comprehensive testing standard for equestrian sport in Canada, alleviating the confusion which may arise when athletes travel and compete between provinces, creating a unified equestrian sport community in Canada.
Ehrlick has also been honoured twice by the Arabian Horse Association when he was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence. On the most recent occasion, Ehrlick was recognized for his efforts for saving The Canadian National Horse Show. Ehrlick is also a member of the Ontario Equestrian Federation Hall of Fame and has held the position of OEF president on two occasions and remains the longest serving president in OEF history.
“In light of the high standard of previous recipients who have won this prestigious award in the past, it is extremely humbling to receive this honour,” said Ehrlick. “I would like to thank the OEF staff for indulging my direction and making the national drug testing program possible.”
The Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by BFL Canada, is presented every year to an exceptional volunteer who has contributed to equestrian sport and to Equine Canada. It is presented to someone who has dedicated himself or herself to Equine Canada and its ideals, who has worked tirelessly for the improvement of the organization, and who has had a noticeable impact on the sport.
At the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala on Friday, February 3, 2012, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Allan Ehrlick was presented with the 2011 Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year by Sara Runnalls of BFL Canada, and Equine Canada president, Michael Gallagher.
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