12/ THE RIDER SEPTEMBER 2010 HILLS OF HEADWATERS SPOTLIGHT


By Mallory Hendry


Craig Collins doesn’t do anything less than 100 per cent, which is good news for the many committees, fundraisers, boards and businesses he’s involved in.


Besides his company, Equestrian Management Group (EMG), that he started with two partners in 1986 Craig also has years as a competitor, trainer, hunter and jumper judge, FEI course designer, Equine Canada board member, Jump Canada board and committee member, fundraiser and entrepreneur under his belt.


enough to have some “really good competitive horses” during his career. Back in those days horse shows were run different- ly: if you had a big enough farm you would host one. Through volunteering at some shows and the Royal Winter Fair, coupled with his interest in getting to know the mechanics of running one, Craig took his retirement - and extensive experience - as an opportunity. Or, in his words, “give it a whirl.”


Craig’s involvement with all things horse started early. As a child he started riding and competing and enjoyed success- es as a junior rider. He moved on to competing professionally and running his own establish- ment, and says much of his suc- cess was due to being fortunate


Park. Beginning as a humble piece of land with two rope rings and a few horse shows a year, Craig was able to add more events and build more structures after the EMG was formed in 1990.


Collins also seems to have a bit of the Midas touch when it comes to his ventures. With over 2,500 customers EMG has branched out into all aspects of horse show management includ- ing facilities management, soft- ware development and jump construction. They work for big guns like HITS and the Ken- tucky Horse Park.


A more local shining star however is Caledon Equestrian


“We’ve hosted a lot of good events here,” Craig says. “ At the end of a major day, you look around and you’ve had a really great event with good par- ticipation and everything that could be done to make it a good event was done, you get satis- faction because you know peo- ple are ready to come back for the next one.”


One thing’s for sure, Craig never hesitates to throw his hat in the ring. That’s why instead of being daunted by the Novem- ber announcement that Toronto will host the 2015 Pan-Am Games at the Caledon park loca- tion, he is - as usual - rising to the challenge.


“We won the bid because of the support of the horse com- munity,” he says. “We received endorsement from everyone and specifically the entire silver medal team and gold medal rider from the 2008 Olympics. That certainly was a very easy presentation for me to make when I had a signed letter from them.”


Craig has been working hard since starting the facility, and says the most satisfying part is having gotten it to the point it’s at now: host of one of the most important events in equestrian sports. He credits the support of the local and horse community for contributing time and money and making it possible to put back into the facility on a yearly basis. As Craig sees it, Pan-Am gives it “that boost to take it to the next


Arial view of Caledon Equestrian Park wonderful level.”


Classical Dressage at Grelo Farms


Of all the enlightening works on the subject of horse- manship, La Guérinière’s Ecole de Cavalerie, written in 1731, remains unsurpassed as the fun- damental teaching upon which Classical dressage is based. This foundation compels the trainer to work with the natural aptitude of the horse in order to bring about harmonious move- ment. Getting there, however, is a challenge that requires a great deal of patience and skill. Only after years of dedication can we aspire to more than the occa- sional moment of perfection while riding the horse.


Grelo Farms, owned by Riding Master Frank Grelo and his family is also home to over thirty horses. On a typical day, foals dance around their moth- ers in the field while classical music rises out of the arena. Stallions are worked alongside mares, horses may be worked under saddle, on the long rein, in-hand, or, a quadrille may be formed to complete the lesson of the day.


Frank Grelo brings a rich heritage of Classical Horseman- ship to his students.


Born in Portugal, he was trained by masters of equitation himself. His entire life has evolved around the horse. Since


the establishment of his riding school on Olde Base Line Rd in Caledon in 1978, he has devot- ed himself to the breeding and training of the Lusitano while teaching the timeless art of Classical Riding to students from all over the world. Both of Frank’s daughters, Melissa and Rosanna have earned the title of senior ecuyeres through their lifelong training.


The Lusitano, one of the oldest of the pure breeds in existence today, is the breed best known for performing clas-


sical dressage. Over the cen- turies, this horse has served roy- alty and cavalry, and has been the subject of countless works of art. Beyond its stunning beauty and imposing presence, the Lusitano has a remarkable aptitude for flexibility and rounding of the body to execute controlled movement. This can clearly be seen in the powerful suspension of the levade, the rythmic action of the piaffe and the dynamic arc of the pirou- ette.


Craig Collins


“We’re thinking a lot about the games because they


Despite the honour of the host position, Craig remembers an event at the Caledon Eques- trian Park that was just as spe- cial. He had a show where the winnings were donated to Chil- dren’s Wish Foundation. Seeing young children helping out oth- ers who couldn’t be the ones riding that day was a way of giving back. Craig thinks about - and cares about - future gener- ations a lot in what he does, and it seems to be one of the forces that drive him to take on as much as he does.


are incredibly important and we have to make sure we build the best facility that we can,” he says.


But in the end, the event is only a few days and the Cale- don Equestrian Park will be standing for many years to come.


“More importantly is that it needs to serve as a legacy facility, going forward for the next years to serve the commu- nity and help our youth in what- ever work they choose. That’s really really important. Events like these ensure a legacy for generations to come.”


Profile: Jay Hayes


By Jennifer Ward, Starting Gate Communications.


Jay Hayes was born in 1957 and raised on a dairy farm near Hartford, Connecticut, and began riding at age 12. He com- peted in the highly competitive junior jumper division, coached by Ronnie Mutch, and went on to play intercolle- giate polo.


He has been a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team since 1985 and has represented Canada at every major event, including the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with his white stallion, Zucarlos, who delighted the crowds with his signature buck. After winning the first 2000 Olympic Selec- tion Trial at Spruce Meadows, Jay and Diva led the standings from start to finish, resulting in a berth to Sydney.


The Grelo family perform classical dressage on their beautiful Lusitano horses.


Jay has also competed in six World Cup finals, 30 Nations Cups, two World


Photo credit Cealy Tetley


Championships, and is the 2008 Kubota Cup Champion. The well-rounded equestrian has a Bachelor of Science degree and is also involved in the organiza- tion of the sport. He was presi-


dent of the highly successful Collingwood Horse show which ran for more than 20 years. After marrying horsewom- an Shawn Carpenter, Jay moved to Canada and received his citi- zenship in 1985. Their home- town is listed as Orangeville, having moved to the Town of Mono in 2005. Shawn and Jay have three daughters Lauren, Ainsley and Reagan, who have all competed in the jumper divisions.


The family operates a facility to train, breed, com- pete and sell quality jumping horses. They also organize and manage several horse shows per year. “We chose Orangeville/Mono because of the sandy soil and miles of conservation and provincial park property that is ideal for training horses,” Mr. Hayes says.


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