Horse Week Kicks Off Monday, May 31st

Ottawa, ON---Seven-time Olympian and Canada’s most celebrated horseman, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, has been named as the national spokesperson for a unique Canadian celebration, Equine Canada’s Horse Week. The seven-day equestrian extravaganza will start on May 31st and conclude with the ever-popular Ride & Drive Day on June 6th.

With more than 1 million Canadians actively involved in the equine industry, Horse Week, an annual event created by Equine Canada, is an opportunity for horse lovers of all ages to celebrate one of Canada’s top five sporting and leisure activities which most contribute to the country’s economy.

“A strong emotional bond has always, and will always, exist between man and the horse. Canada was built through the power, the strength, and the generosity of our magnificent friends. Today, by in large, the horse is our partner in recreation and sport,” remarked Millar. “This year’s Horse Week will celebrate the horse and how he enriches our lives. Activities across our land will provide a fun and enjoyable experience for individuals and groups in the equine community, creating an industry wide promotional opportunity and an understanding of Equine Canada and the Provincial Associations.”

With places to ride or drive close to most communities across the country, all Canadians are invited to join Equine Canada in this national celebration of the horse. Children and adults of all ages will be participating in over 100 officially registered Horse Week activities and events that include riding at their local riding stable, trail riding in the great outdoors, taking a horse-pulled hay ride or a romantic carriage ride, competing in numerous horse shows and spectating at the country’s racetracks and equestrian sporting events. All registered Horse Week events can be found on Equine Canada’s website at www.equinecanada.ca. It is not too late to organize an event. Go on-line and enter your activity today.

All Canadian children are invited to get their creative juices flowing and help promote their favourite animal – the horse, of course. Those 21-years-old and under can enter the Horse Week Youth Contest for a chance to win prizes. There are three categories to enter: the Essay Contest, the Drawing Contest and the Poem Contest. Complete details are available at www.equinecanada.ca.

“We are really excited about this year’s Horse Week. There has been a meeting of the minds that built on last year’s hugely successful event,” remarked Equine Canada President, Dr. Edward Kendall. “Our committees have been working hard to produce the ‘best ever’ spectrum of events. We are proud of Canadian horses, let's show our communities what a great sport it is!” Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information of Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.