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 equestrian sport, industry and recreation, and promote the beloved horse, Horse Day 2017 was a special year for the celebration, also marking Canada’s 150th anniversary, 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 Saturday 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 Newfoundland, more than 14,700 people took part in a wide range of events, including horse shows, demonstrations, clinics, workshops, social events and open houses.

Just a few examples of some of the unique events held to honour the horse included the Millennium Equestrian Open House in Carstairs, AB, which featured demonstrations of equine rehab and conditioning, 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 beginner yoga lesson focused on exercises for equestrians and held within a stable, so participants could benefit from the added joy and relaxation of being surrounded 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 Parelli 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 dedicated to celebrating them was very exciting for us,” said Karen Sparks, WCP Executive Director. “Since our first Ottawa Horse Day onsite, it has grown exponentially and has quickly become one of our favourite annual events on the calendar. We’ve welcomed thousands of visitors of all ages, many of whom return year after year to enjoy demonstrations and parades featuring unforgettable ranges of equine breeds. We’re already counting down the days until 2018 Ottawa Horse Day.”

EC also gives special thanks to the provincial/territorial sport organizations (PTSOs) for helping to make Horse Day 2017 such a success, and to the Canadian equestrian community for their continued involvement and commitment to spreading awareness of the wonders of the equestrian world.

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About Horse Day
Each year, the first Saturday of June is marked as Canada’s National Horse Day. Together, Equestrian Canada and the provincial/territorial equestrian organizations invite all Canadians to take this unique opportunity to honour, 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 opportunity to acknowledge both the important contributions made by horses in our nation’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, visit www.equestrian.ca/events-results/horseday