Ottawa, Ontario — Equine Canada is pleased to announce that the 2007 Annual Convention was a success, with delegates, members and the public participating in the wide variety of events and clinics.
Held February 5 – 12, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa, ON, this year’s convention was made possible by the generous sponsorship of BFL, BMO Bank of Montreal, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Galaman, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, The University of Guelph, Cavalor, Olds College, Horse Sport Magazine, and Horse Community Journals Inc.
Highlighting this year’s extra-special convention was the “Meet & Greet’ Reception, sponsored by Reining Canada and held February 10, with three members of the Silver Medalist Canadian Reining Team from the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG), including Individual Gold Medalist Duane Latimer and teammates Francois Gauthier and Lance Griffin. Guests of the Reining Canada Reception filled the ballroom, mingling amongst the Reiners and enjoying refreshments, while viewing the Team’s landmark runs from WEG.
Immediately following the Reception was the Equine Canada National Awards Banquet, where a full house congratulated the 2006 National Award Winners - Equestrian of the Year: Erynn Ballard; Junior Equestrian of the Year: Taylor Bland; Volunteer of the Year: Mark Samuel and the inaugural Susan Jane Anstey Media Award: Francis Litzinger of CBC Country Canada. Banquet attendees also enjoyed the popular annual ‘Year in Review Video’ during the three-course dinner, and took the opportunity to bid on the fantastic selection of silent auction items, including beautiful paintings by Equine Artist Elise Genest, and a tack armoire from Clydesdale Custom Cases. Over $3,000 was raised from the silent auction, with the proceeds from the sale of the donated items being used to fund the development of EC programs and the delivery of member services.
Also featured on February 10 was a full day of public information sessions. Over 70 participants attended the sessions, which featured leading industry professionals covering a wide variety of topics from Equine 911 to Awareness and Prevention of Colic.
The Equine Canada Clinics, including the sold out Stewards Clinic with EC/FEI Steward Jan Stephens, were also a success, with over 100 people attending throughout the week. Current and aspiring Hunter and Jumper Judges enjoyed discussion and critique of pictures and videos with FEI ‘C’ Judge Lisa Cieplucha and FEI ‘I’ Judge Marjorie Dennis, wrapping up with a mock judging experience, including comparison of actual results, using video footage from the 2006 Royal Horse Show.
On the business side of things, close to 200 convention delegates from across the country met at this year’s annual convention, attending meetings, discussing current issues and making decisions on both current and future projects. Watch the Equine Canada website and the EC e-News for important news and decisions from the convention meetings.
For full convention info, please visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/EquineCanada/EVENTS/conference.html.
About Equine Canada
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 about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.
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