"Hepburn's Horses"
In 1940 Mitch Hepburn was premier of Ontario. The war was on but the International Plowing Match was still held. It was important to boost morale, but primarily to show the people the most efficient and productive methods of producing food for the home front and overseas.
The Royal Canadian Air Force used the buildings of the newly constructed Ontario Hospital in St. Thomas for a Technical Training Centre. This was the site of the first International Plowing Match in Elgin County.
Premier Hepburn’s horses led the opening parade. Bill Tapsell,
Hepburn’s foreman, was the driver. Six of these horses were
featured on the 1940 program for the International Plowing Match and
all were champions at a recent World Competition in Chicago.
The original painting is 3” X 6’ on ¼” gesso ground masonite.
My sincere thanks for time and technical advice to Bill Tapsell, Ken
Smith of the London Free Press, the helpfull staff at the Military
Museum and Johanns Graphics.
- Jenny