42/ MAY 2022 THE RIDER Six-Month Countdown To The 100th Anniversary Of The Royal Begins


The excitement is building as national championships are set to return to the Royal Horse Show to celebrate its centennial year!


Ottawa, ON, May 6, 2022 – Just as show season is ramping up, Equestrian Canada (EC) is set- ting its sights on how it will cul- minate. Now six months away, EC’s national championships will be a part of the 100th anniversary celebrations during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, return- ing to Toronto’s Exhibition Place November 4-13, 2022. After a successful move


out west in 2021, EC is pleased to confirm that the Royal Horse Show has been chosen as the host of this year’s national champi- onships and will feature the Canadian Show Jumping Cham- pionship, the CET Medal, the JC Medal and U25 series. “We are delighted to return


to The Royal in its centennial year and continue our long-standing partnership,” said EC’s Chief Executive Officer, Meg Krueger. “We are thankful for the impor- tant role of John Anderson and Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in hosting the championships last year. And now, after two years of postponement due to the pandemic, we are proud to partner with The Royal once again, in this inaugural year where our Canadian national rankings will help select the qualify- ing competitors.” In collaboration


with EC, the Royal Horse Show will use EC’s national rankings and results from across the country in the


entry selection for the invitation to compete. “We were thrilled that The


Royal was selected as the win- ning bid to host this year’s na- tional championships across the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines,” said Charlie John- stone, CEO of the Royal Agricul- tural Winter Fair. “The Royal has a long history of being the place where the best of the best meet at the end of the Canadian show season, and we are proud to carry on this tradition for our 100th an- niversary.” This year’s event will


bring together over 1,000 com- petitors vying for more than one million dollars in prize money and the crowning of Royal cham- pion. For the first time in its his-


tory, the Royal Horse Show will also be an Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) CSI5*-W ranked event. “We have modernized our


show schedule to offer more di- visions that reflect current partic- ipation numbers across the country,” Johnstone provided. “The new divisions will also offer a clear pathway for com- petitors, especially younger rid- ers, to develop their skills as they advance through the ranks.” Added to this year’s com-


petition line up are a new 3’3” Junior/Amateur Hunter Division and 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Division. In addition to these progressive changes, equestrian enthusiasts will be in for a treat as they will have the


opportunity to watch rider com- binations at the highest levels of show jumping with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto clos- ing out competition on No- vember 12.


“There is so much to


celebrate, and we are all looking forward to what they have in store for us,” said Krueger. “After a sea- son of hard work and com- petition across the country, Canadian equestrian fans can look forward to seeing all the combinations come together in this celebration of both horsemanship and top-notch competition.” For more informa-


tion about the Royal Agri- cultural Winter Fair and the Horse Show, please visit https://www.royalfair.org/ . For those interested,


Last years national champion Alicia Gadban-Lewis and Beneficial clear- ing a jump in Calgary, AB Photo Credit: Amanda Ubell


qualifying criteria are available at www. royal fai r.org/hor se-


show/competitors. Source: Equestrian Canada


Beth Underhill and Count Me In take a victory lap as national champion in Toronto, ON during the last Royal in 2019 Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi


Ontario Trillium grant funds new Equine Assisted Learning and Lifeskills program for Acceptional Riders


Acceptional Riders Therapeu-


tic Riding Program, based at TJ Stables in Chatham Kent providing Therapy riding for children and adults with specific needs, An- nounces a new Equine Assisted Learning and Life skills program as a result of the incredible support of an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.


“This new Non-Riding pro-


gram is geared for success” says Terry Jenkins Founder and Admin- istrator of Acceptional riders for over 30 years. “There are no wrong answers in the arena only safe and unsafe practices. We allow the par- ticipants to interpret the instructions for the obstacles and stretch their creativity and thinking outside the box to complete the challenges.” “The horse encourages mak-


ing connections and life skills in the arena, and the participants transfer these interactions and problem solv- ing skills to real life experiences.” She said. EAL, Equine Assisted Learn-


ing where the horse becomes the teacher, is an alternative therapy program, assisting participants of all ages, to develop healthy rela- tionships, work ethics, trust of self and others, confidence and self es- teem, communications skills both verbal and non verbal and expan- sion of personal comfort zones. It also creates an opportunity


to learn to accept responsibility, em- pathy, and patience while consider- ing others, impulse control and good decision making skills, the ability to be a smart risk taker, and learn to appreciate differences and diversity and ones value in the community. “Thanks to a $73,200 grant


from the Ontario Trillium Founda- tion Resilient Communities Fund, it


was possible to train our facilitators, engage consultants and create an EAL therapy room as well as equip- ping the program with obstacles.” Says Alison VanGorkum, Chairper- son for the Acceptional Riders board of Directors. “Covid has shone a light on


many stressors that have developed due to isolation and anxiety.” says


Jenkins “We are able to expand our reach and services to our commu- nity and get the training we need and are grateful for this generous Grant” “Not only do we provide this


wonderful program for main stream participants, we have developed an Indigenous component to the pro- gram, created by an Indigenous program director and knowledge keeper. Its a unique horse lead In- digenous program utilizing the Seven Grandfather Teachings and life skills.” Says Jenkins. Seven one hour sessions are


Geared for Success and designed for participants to lead their own personal journey, allowing individ- uals to better understand them- selves. The horses and EAL certified team facilitators cultivate the opportunity to practice life skills through self exploration. Partici- pants will experience holistic bal- ance in a safe land based environment. Covid shut down the Accep-


My other ride is a horse. Staff Kylee Nevills assists Cooper Duquette a long time rider at Acceptional Riders Therapeutic Riding program based at TJ Stables in Chatham. Dennis Mayhew and Coopers dad Brad side- walk when Cooper leaves his wheelchair for the freedom of riding his pony Dobber.


tional Riders program for the past 2 years and is back up and running and accepting new clients both for the riding and non riding program. To make a donation, sponsor a par- ticipant or enrole in any of these valuable programs Contact TJ Sta- bles 519-354-7517 or email howdy@tjstables.ca


Acceptional Riders facilitator Cynthia Cote guides par- ticipants thru a brand new Equine Assisted Learning and Lifeskills program made possible thru an Ontario Tril- lium Foundation Grant. In this EAL program the horse becomes the teacher and encourages problem solving skills inside the arena that transfer to real life experi- ences outside the arena.


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