8/ THE RIDER SEPTEMBER 2010 HILLS OF HEADWATERS SPOTLIGHT EFO Purchases “Creme De la Crem” GPA Apparel


HOCKLEY VALLEY, Ontario – From a single location in Hock- ley Valley horse country four years ago, Equestrian Factory Outlet™ (EFO) has flourished as the little brand that could, grow- ing nationally to 12 franchises across the country.


EFO’s end-of-season lines of favourite European horse and rider apparel have been a resounding hit with the horse industry. CEO Marc Nicols and his partner Victoria, hit on the concept of developing partner- ships with premium European manufacturers, buying their over- stock and end-of-season lines. “We buy end-of-season and close-out lines from our Euro- pean partners and are able to offer them at up to 70 per cent off MSRP,” says Marc. Those lines, most of which are exclusive for Canada, include the world’s best- known premium brands such as Cavallo, Kingsland Equestrian, Anky Technical Casuals, Pikeur, Kyra K, Euro-Star and most recently, Schockmohle Sport


from Germany and HV Polo from Holland.


Perhaps the company’s greatest coup to date is the recent purchase of the worldwide inven- tory of the prestigious GPA Dou- ble Clear french line of apparel. Considered the crème de la crème by many world class riders, the


riding jackets and breeches com- bine technical design with dis- tinctive fashion-forward style. The soft shell technology is the key that creates a top of the line edge for a perfect, sinuous fit. The Gral and Time breeches are cut by laser and bound by a thermowelding process, making the seams stronger than any kind of stitching. The show jackets are designed by GPA®, in


lightweight D-Flex, a revolu- tionary new fabric which offers incredible four-way stretch for total rider comfort in the sad- dle. These unique fabrics are water repellant, breathable and machine washable while retain-


Horse Trials / Eventing in The Hills Of Headwaters www.horsetrials.on.ca/


What is a horse trial? A horse trial, or one-day event, is a test for horse and rider that consists of three components: DRESSAGE as the first phase of the day. This tests the gaits, supple- ness and obedience of the horse through a series of prescribed movements. While judging the Dressage Test is based on specific cri- teria, it is basically an evalu- ation of beauty of move- ment and obedience. The CROSS-COUNTRY test (which is often next in the day) proves the speed, stamina, courage, boldness and jumping ability of the horse and the rider’s knowl- edge of pace and use of the


the horse across country. Although the rider walks the course beforehand, the horse doesn’t see any of the course until it leaves the start box. STADIUM JUMPING, in an arena, is the third component of the competition. This is a test of the horse’s athletic ability, con- ditioning and training. The stadi- um-jumping test is a matter of jumping the obstacles cleanly. The horse must now move at a more sedate pace and not touch the obstacles, which are not solid and will fall down.


There are several locations in the region that hold Horse Trial competitions. For exam- ple, Jo Young and BIll McKeen


of Wits End Farm in Mansfield. They were host to a major inter- national competition recently. The HSBC FEI World CupTM Qualifier was held there from August 6th to 9th.


Equus 3D Equestrian Cen- tre has become one the of the leading Horse Trials venues. Our 90 acre facility with its profes- sionally built fences and good footing attracts riders from across Canada and the United States. The centre features a 12 stall barn, 2 sand dressage rings, a grass stadium jumping ring, professionally built cross-coun- try courses and a large bright indoor arena (70 x 170 ft). Boarding and training services


ing the classic Grand Prix style.


EFO locations across Canada include the flagship store in Hock- ley Valley, Puslinch (near Guelph), Cal- gary, Edmonton, Lang-


ley, and the 2010 store launch in St. Lazare(Quebec), with six fixed ‘bricks and mortar’ stores at major equestrian facilities across the country and six


mobile units which travel to major horse events throughout the season.


For more information, visit www.equestrianfactory- outlet.com.


as well as a full stable of well trained school horses round out this well known facility.


Will O’ Wind Farm is located in the Hills Of Headwa- ters region, on the north ridge of the Hockley Valley. Established in 1979, the farm has played host to events ranging from hunter paces to horse trials. For the past five years they have run Equine Canada sanctioned com- petitions, and Will O’ Wind Farm is recognized as one of the premier eventing sites in Ontario. It is home to Ann Mor- gan, EC level II eventing coach, and her husband Geoff, owner and operator of Showcom Event Services.


Jodi Pendry is a gradu- ate of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrothera- py in Sutton, Ontario and has


run a successful practice as a Registered Massage Thera- pist in Erin, Ontario for the past 14 years. She is current-


ly a 4th year student of a 5 year program with the Cana- dian College of Osteopathy and upon completion will earn a Doctorate in Osteopa- thy.


Jodi has successfully treated many equine patients with sports massage therapy. The treatment benefits are still found to be overwhelm- ing.


Jodi has a lifetime of experience within the horse industry. She has ridden competitively from an early age, trained, owned and cared for a number of hors- es. Her equine experience along with massage educa- tion, qualifies Jodi to be a great wealth of knowledge for her students. Jodi lives and works in Erin, Ontario. For more information visit www.jodipendry.com


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