JUNE 2017 THE RIDER /33


Canadians from Coast-to-Coast Make Horse Day 2017 a Huge Success


Ottawa, ON, June 6, 2017 – Equestrian Canada (EC) would like to thank the nearly 15,000 participants who made Horse Day 2017 a huge success from coast- to-coast on June 3, 2017. Held annually to raise


public awareness of eques- trian sport, industry and recreation, and promote the beloved horse, Horse Day 2017 was a special year for the celebration, also mark- ing Canada’s 150th anniver- sary, as well as the 250th anniversary of horse racing in Canada. It was also the ninth annual National Horse Day, which is celebrated each year on the first Satur- day in June. A total of 90 official


Horse Day 2017 events took place from coast-to-coast, marking an increase of nearly 77 per cent over 2016. From Alberta to New- foundland, more


than


14,700 people took part in a wide range of events, in- cluding


horse demonstrations,


shows, clinics,


workshops, social events and open houses.


Just a few examples of


some of the unique events held to honour the horse in- cluded the Millennium Equestrian Open House in Carstairs, AB, which fea- tured demonstrations of equine rehab and condition- ing, including an equine water treadmill. Festina Lente Winery in Langley, BC held a special release party in honour of Horse Day to launch their new wine, Epona, named after one of the four horses that call the winery home. In Prescott, ON, yogis had the opportunity to take a begin- ner yoga lesson focused on exercises for equestrians and held within a stable, so participants could benefit from the added joy and re- laxation of being sur- rounded by the sights and sounds of stabled horses. EC would like to thank


Wesley Clover Parks (WCP) in Nepean, ON for hosting EC staff at Ottawa Horse Day for a day of horse-filled fun, including wagon rides, a breed parade, a wide range of demonstrations from Par-


elli to polo to pony club games, the WCP Ian Millar School of Horsemanship Musical Ride, and much more.


“At Wesley Clover


Parks we love our horses, and the idea of a day dedi- cated to celebrating them was very exciting for us,” said Karen Sparks, WCP Executive Director. “Since our first Ottawa Horse Day onsite, it has grown expo- nentially and has quickly become one of our favourite annual events on the calen- dar. We’ve welcomed thou- sands of visitors of all ages, many of whom return year after year to enjoy demon- strations and parades featur- ing unforgettable ranges of equine breeds. We’re al- ready counting down the days until 2018 Ottawa Horse Day.” EC also gives special


thanks to the provincial/ter- ritorial sport organizations (PTSOs) for helping to make Horse Day 2017 such a success, and to the Cana- dian equestrian community for their continued involve-


Upper Canada Equestrian Association to Honour General Brock’s 1812 Ride to the Battle of Queenston Heights


By Dave Belme During the pre-dawn hours of October


13th, 1812, Sir Isaac Brock was awakened by the sound of cannon fire. Outside the garrison of Fort George at Newark (present day Niagara on the Lake) the steady rain was being driven by a stiff wind. Brock, was the administrator and military com- mander of Upper Canada, which would be- come the the province of Ontario. The war of 1812 was underway and he had been ex- pecting an American invasion force to cross the Niagara river to attack Newark. How- ever, the distant roar of guns told him that the hostilities had started at Queenston, some 13 kilometres upstream. Brock was a valiant commander who


led his forces “from the front”. He needed to get to Queenston fast. He quickly organ- ized re-reinforcements


to assist and


mounted his favourite horse. Legend has it that the horse was a fine, big, grey named “Alfred”. The horse had been a gift from


the governor general of British North America. Brock galloped off into the dark- ness to lead the defenders at Queenston. Thus began the what may be the most sig- nificant horseback ride in Canadian history. Brock was killed in battle but as a re-


sult of his leadership and inspiration the American force was repelled and captured by his outnumbered forces. A monument dedicated to Brock still towers over the battle ground and is a major landmark in Niagara. However, few know of the small bronze sculpture within the town of Queen- ston that is dedicated to his horse which also died in the battle. On July 16th the Upper Canada


Equestrian Association, will be honouring Brock and his fallen war horse with an or- ganized ride following the route of their heroic last gallop. The U.C.E.A. Is a Niag- ara riding club dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of trails and the promo- tion of equine awareness. The event will be a unique opportunity for members to ride the along the scenic Niagara Parkway. Horses are generally not permitted along it’s length and the ride is taking place under special permit from the Niagara Parks Commission. The Niagara Parkway with it’s tower-


ing forest groves and manicured lawns actually shoulders the entire length of the Niagara river. It’s construction was started in 1908 and to date has managed to preserve much of this her- itage area for public enjoyment. Sir Winston Churchill referred to the parkway as “the prettiest Sunday after- noon drive in the world”. Riders in this event are hoping to make the same claim from astride their own favourite horse. For information on the U.C.E.A. and membership please e mail president@uppercanadaeques- trian.com.


Left: Sir Isaac Brock


ment and commitment to spreading awareness of the wonders of the equestrian world.


About Horse Day Each year, the first Sat-


urday of June is marked as Canada’s National Horse Day. Together, Equestrian Canada


and the


provincial/territorial eques- trian organizations invite all Canadians to take this unique opportunity to hon- our, discover, and explore the equestrian world. For many Canadians, Horse Day is the chance to get up close and personal with a horse for the first time. Horse Day is also the perfect opportu- nity to acknowledge both the important contributions made by horses in our na- tion’s heritage, as well as the fact that people of all ages and experience levels can continue to enjoy horses in sport and leisure. For more information on Horse Day, v


i s i t


www.equestrian.ca/events- results/horseday.


PHOTO – Horse Day 2017 saw nearly 15,000 people participate in 90 official events from coast-to-coast. Held to raise public awareness of equestrian sport, industry and recreation, many Horse Day events - including Ottawa Horse Day at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean, ON - provided the community with the opportunity to enjoy first contact with horses. PHOTO CREDIT - © EC/Jarett Lopez


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