CREATING A MONUMENT: Sculptor Stewart Smith works on the Big Ben statue which will be unveiled at the edge of Code Park on May 22. Photo courtesy of Tony Hendriks

Big Ben will be immortalized in May

By Gena Gibson
The Perth Courier

A statue of Big Ben and Ian Millar will be un­veiled in Perth in May as the highlight of a day dedicated to the famous horse.

For the Love of a Horse will celebrate all things Big Ben-related, at both Millar Brooke Farm and in Perth. The event is planned for Sunday, May 22 to honour the horse which, along with Perth-area equestrian Ian Mil­lar, won many national and world championships before he died in 1999.

Organizer Tony Hen­driks said the day includes one show starting at 12 noon. The Royal Canadian Mounted Po­lice’s Musical Ride will entertain the audience, along with demonstra­tions from Olympian dressage rider Gina Smith of Brockville, show jumpers, and possibly other Team Canada equestrians.

The area’s largest herd of miniature horses will also be on display. All money raised at the open house will go to the Big Ben Park
Fund.

Shuttle buses will take visitors to and from Mil­lar Brooke Farm from the Perth Fairgrounds, and possibly Conlon Farm.

“There are more events this year,” Mr. Hendriks said, pointing to last year’s event at Millar Brooke. “The first year, it was about the grave site (for Big Ben).

“This year, it’s a bit of a mini-fair.”

He said booths will be set up, with some vendors as well.

“This has been in the works for about six months now,” he said, noting that the main committee set up 13 dif­ferent subcommittees to handle all aspects of the event.

The unveiling of the Big Ben/Ian Millar sculpture will take place at the corner of Wilson Street West and Herriott Street, at the edge of Code Park. The foundation has al­ready been put in place for the statue, with the area landscaped in prepa­ration for the statue.

Mr. Hendriks said sculpt­or Stewart Smith has completed the life-sized monument in styrofoam and wax, with the finished statue expected to be ready well before the May 22 unveiling.

He has been assisted by sculptor and portraiturist Ruth Abernethy and her sister Jean, who is an equine artist.

“The jumps have been built and painted and are ready to go at Artcast's foundry in Georgetown ON.,” he added.