COMMITTEE FOR ONTARIO HARNESS DOG SPORTS (COHDS)
About Us
The COMMITTEE FOR ONTARIO HARNESS DOG SPORTS (COHDS) was created in 2022 to promote and support the growth and development of harness dog sports in Ontario, and is the Regional Organization representing Ontario at Canadian Association of Harness Dog Sports (CAHDS).
COHDS provides support for competitive participants in Ontario. If you love the sports and your dog so much that you want to compete at regional, national or international level, COHDS is here to support you!
The main goals for the committee are as follow:
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Promote harness sports in the province of Ontario, both at a competitive and recreational level
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Have representation at a national level (with CAHDS)
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Improve the standard for sanctioned races in Ontario
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Promote races and events across Ontario (via a website and social media)
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Implement a provincial point system for Ontario sanctioned races
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Maintain a list of competitive athletes in Ontario
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Select Team Ontario for national competitions
Committee Members
The COMMITTEE FOR ONTARIO HARNESS DOG SPORTS (COHDS) is proud to be a representation of various local clubs in Ontario. We will give a seat to the table to any club who wishes to be a part of our entity.
Currently, our committee is composed of the below members:
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Robyn Rittmaster (Mush Larose)
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Robyn's introduction to harness dog sports started with the adoption of Karma, a husky who had no fear and whose goal in life was to run all the trails (but never one more than once). Karma led to teammate Journey, and later another racing dog named Digby. She has been a member of Mush Larose since 2013 and competes in canicross, bikejoring and skijoring. She was a member of the veteran class for team Ontario in 2019.
When not competing in harness dog sports, Robyn competes in AAC agility. She also works as a dog trainer for the Ottawa Humane Society and teaches in Algonquin College's veterinary technician and assistant programs.
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Abby Fallis (Kawartha Canicross Club)
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Megan Rasmussen (Timmins Dog-Powered Sports Association)
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I started out in dogpowered sports in 2013 with my lab mix and a kicksled. It was an option I didn't realize existed, and I was immediately hooked. I carry this trend forward and share my passion for the sport with others - I'm one of the founding members of the Timmins Dog-powered Sports Association (TDPSA) and run my own business (Run a Mutt) teaching dogpowered sports to beginners. My current team is a mix of Alaskans and hounds. We usually run 4-dog sprint dogsled and one or two dog bikejor, but recently we've added skijoring, scooter, and canicross to our training program. Outside of dogpower, you're most likely to find me outside in my garden, in the forest, or playing a little ultimate frisbee.
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Jean-Christophe Ono-dit-Biot (Sleddog Sports Association of Southern Ontario)
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I started canicross in 2018 with my husky Luna, without even knowing what canicross was, as I had always wanted a dog that can accompany me in my runs and activities. My partner and I quickly became addicted and added more dogs to our family. I now enjoy canicross, bikejoring, scooter, skijoring and kicksledding. I compete all across Ontario and Quebec in canicross. I have at heart to develop the sports in Ontario so we can have a fair representation at national and international level.
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Additional officers are appointed to help with the organization of the committee:
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Floriane Vallery as website support and Administrator
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Karen Koehler as advisor and event organizer
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Lisa De Gennaro as advisor and event organizer
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Clubs
If you are looking to join a local club to meet up with like-minded crazy dog people and have fun, you’ve come to the right place. The COMMITTEE FOR ONTARIO HARNESS DOG SPORTS (COHDS) is currently composed of one rep from each of the below clubs.
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Mush Larose – East Ottawa Area
Website: https://mushlarose.ca/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mush-Larose-1394958460803768/
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Kawartha Canicross Club – Kawartha/Peterborough Area
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1485706928396963
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Timmins Dog powered Sports Association – Timmins area
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Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/timmins.dpsa
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Sleddog Sports Association of Southern Ontario SSASO – Spread area with events in the Bruce Peninsula area and Muskoka area
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Website: https://ssasoinfo.wixsite.com/ssaso
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Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SSASO.Club
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If there is no club in your area but you want to be a part of the provincial circuit, you can also register as an individual member by filling the membership form HERE (website in construction: form to be uploaded soon).
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Events
Ontario Committee Sanctioned events can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OntarioHarnessDogSports
Documents
Our Structure:
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Currently the COMMITTEE FOR ONTARIO HARNESS DOG SPORTS (COHDS) is composed of reps from local clubs in Ontario: currently Mush Larose, Kawartha Canicross Club, Timmins Dog-Powered Sports Association and Sleddog Sports Association of Southern Ontario (SSASO). Due to logistical reasons, COHDS has voted to be hosted under SSASO’s umbrella to take advantage of the club’s resources (incorporated status, bylaws, code of conduct, volunteer resources) while we build a strong organization. All clubs are given equal opportunity to voice their opinion and concerns, with one rep seat per club and the committee will function independently from SSASO’s club.
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Code of Conduct:
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The Code of Conduct sets out the guidelines and recommendations for the safe practice of harness dog sports in Ontario.
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Regional Circuit Regulations:
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This document explains the requirements for the Regional Circuit and the calculation of points for annual rankings. Please refer to this document if you have any questions, or contact us HERE: https://www.facebook.com/OntarioHarnessDogSports.
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Download documents:
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