The 2026 Chatham-Kent Plowing Match was held Aug. 8 at Josh and Emma Butler’s, J&E Meats, with competitors from across Ontario taking part.
Tessa Van Kesteren of Chatham won Class 1, open to all women of Ontario, followed by Ava Van Kesteren of Chatham in second and Kallie Rourke of Ridgetown in third.
In the antique tractor classes for senior competitors 21 and older, Richard Elliott of Strathroy topped the trail plow category, while Paul Hodgson of Parkhill won the mounted plow category and Mike Lassam of Tillsonburg won the one-furrow mounted plow category.
Conlan Johnston of Blenheim won the Chatham-Kent two-furrow plow class for competitors aged 10 to 20, while Rob Sterling of Chatham won the equivalent class for those 21 and older.
Bert Beyens of Strathroy won the senior two-or-three-furrow plow class open to Ontario, and Cameron Vos of Alvinston won the junior division of that class.
In the Chatham-Kent three-furrow plow class for competitors aged 10 to 20, Ryan Ross of Dresden placed first, followed by Kade VanEsse of Thamesville and Kyle Ross of Dresden.
Michael Crow of Ridgetown won the novice class for first-time plowmen from Chatham-Kent, followed by Annalise de Brouwer of Blenheim. Crow also won Best Plowed Land at the Match and the Junior Special for the best plowed land by a junior member 15 and under.
John Dekroon of Dublin won the walking horse class, followed by Nelson Sage of Thamesville, while Barry Kearney of Ridgetown won the farm recreation class, followed by Kevin Gervais of Dresden. Hazel Sterling won the 4-H achievement class and the award for best plowed land by a 4-H member.
Kallie Rourke of Ridgetown was named the 2026-2028 Chatham-Kent Queen of the Furrow, and Nathalie Gallant of Chatham was named the 2026-2027 Chatham-Kent Princess of the Furrow.
Dignitaries and media took part in the plowing, including Mayor Darren Canniff, MPP Trevor Jones and Chatham-Kent council candidates Gerhard Taves, Brad Snobelen and Albert Pilbeam.
Organizers say they look forward to seeing the community next year at the 90th annual Chatham-Kent Plowing Match on Aug. 14, 2027.
