Townsend, McIntosh named Reserve Champions at 2023 IPM
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
There was plenty for Huron County to be proud about at this year’s International Plowing Match (IPM), which was held late last month in Bowling Green, Dufferin County.
In the plowing fields, Blyth’s Lucas Townsend continued his record of podium finishes at provincial and national matches, being named the Reserve Champion of Class 2 Group 3, finishing just behind Matthew Sterling of Pain Court. Townsend finished with 512 points to Sterling’s 532 points.
Seaforth’s Dugald McIntosh also found success, being named the Reserve Champion in Class 2, Group 1, finishing with 499 points, a mere one point behind Champion Austin McLeod of Cottam and his 500 points.
Brayden and Aiden Hickey of Auburn also returned with impressive performances, with Brayden winning his class on Saturday, Junior Day, of the match.
The match marked the end of Maranda Klaver’s reign as Ontario Queen of the Furrow. Huron’s Klaver won the crown last September after winning the local competition back in 2019 and staying on for several local matches and IPM cancellations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mel Karpenko of the Peel Dufferin Plowmen’s Association is now the provincial Queen of the Furrow. She also won the Miss Friendship title and placed second in the Queen of the Furrow plowing competition.
Jacquelyn Easson of the Haldimand Oneida Plowmen’s Association was named the first runner-up and Annie Watson of the Elgin Plowmen’s Association was the second runner-up, despite placing first in the plowing competition.
Watson placed first in the plowing competition, followed by Karpenko, Easson in third, Shayne Murphy of Wellington County in fourth place and Morgan Rombouts of Lambton County in fifth place.
Huron County Queen of the Furrow for 2022 Luanne McGregor represented the county at the IPM this year, while 2023 Queen Rachel Gras will be Huron’s representative at the 2024 IPM, which will be held next September in the Kawartha Lakes area.