Toronto Horse Day Huge SuccessToronto Horse Day Rides to Success
The Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) is pleased to announce that the first official Toronto Horse Day was an outstanding success! Over 1,000 visitors attended the Horse Palace at Exhibition Place to learn about horses, watch riding demonstrations, tour the police stable and meet actors from The Saddle Club television series. Toronto Horse Day was held in celebration of Horse Week in Canada and provided the public an opportunity to experience a horse first hand with the hopes of introducing new riders to the sport.
Various education stations were set up around the Horse Palace to offer visitors a hands-on chance to learn about horses. The stations included the following topics: Ask the Vet – Rob Reimlenger, DVM explained what is involved to keep a horse healthy; Grooming – The Riding Academy at the Horse Palace discussed the importance of grooming and demonstrated how to properly brush a horse; Tack – Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies provided English and Western saddles and bridles for visitors to sit in, touch and compare the differences between the two; Meet the Farrier – Symon Pidhainy gave a ‘hot’ demonstration of how horseshoes are fitted and shaped; Safety – Equine Guelph graciously lent their safety posters and Cavalier Equestrian Supply provided different styles of helmets, including a western hat helmet, that were on display to emphasize the importance of safety around horses; Horses at Work – Peter Henderson shared his extensive photo collection that illustrated the important roles horses played throughout Toronto’s history; Therapeutic Riding – the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD) discussed therapeutic riding and volunteer opportunities available.
Not only did visitors get a chance to learn about horses, they also got to see them in action! Melissa Grelo, Co-host of CP24 BREAKFAST was an outstanding ring emcee and explained each demonstration to the audience in a way that everyone could fully understand. Exhibition Therapeutic Riding Association (EXTRA) rider Alex and his horse Cheerio, along with volunteers, demonstrated therapeutic riding and showed the powerful role horses play in cognitive and physical therapies. Professional reining rider, Loris Epis and his horse Wimpys Tinseltown, owned by Fletcher’s Horse World, dazzled the audience with the thrilling sport of reining. Loris and Wimpy put on a picture perfect reining demonstration and won over many new fans with their spins and slides! Riding Academy instructors Allie Dean on KC, Clare Feldman on Seven and Gillian Simpson on Fergus did a jumping demonstration to show the crowds just how high their horses could go. Finally, Training Constable Harold Williamson allowed the audience to witness the power and bravery that is required of a police horse. Riding Spencer, a 16 year old 17.2 hand Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross, Williamson piloted his mount through various obstacles that included jumps, a pyramid of barrels and a rolling arrier.
The Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit was kind enough to open their doors to the public and allow visitors to tour the stable. Visitors had the unique opportunity to meet the police horses, learn about the history of the Mounted Unit, listen to officers share their experiences while serving with the Mounted Unit and visit the tack room to learn about all the tack and gear that is required for a police horse.
Fans of the hit television series, The Saddle Club had the opportunity to meet two stars from the program’s third series, Lauren Dixon who plays Stevie and Connor Jessup who plays Simon. On behalf of Breyer Animal Creations Stevie and Connor were on hand to celebrate Toronto Horse Day and the release of their new album – “Best Friends”. Lauren and Connor met with fans, took photos and signed autographs.
Toronto Horse Day wouldn’t have been a success if it weren’t for the organizations that helped bring the program to life. The OEF would like to thank the following for all their help: Exhibition Place, Riding Academy at the Horse Palace, Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit, Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies, Breyer Animal Creations, CARD, Rob Reimlenger DVM, Symon Pidhainy, Peter Henderson, Loris Epis, Fletcher’s Horse World, Ontario Reining Horse Association, Exhibition Therapeutic Riding Association, Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals, Equine Guelph, Cavalier Equestrian Supplies, Melissa Grelo, CP24 BREAKFAST, CP24 Animal House Calls and everyone who joined us that day!
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Melissa Grelo, co-host CP24 Breakfast |
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Riding Academy instructors Allie Dean on KC, Clare Feldman on Seven and Gillian Simpson on Fergus did a jumping demonstration to show the crowds just how high their horses could go. |
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Training Constable Harold Williamson and his mount Spencer piloted through various obstacles that included jumps, a pyramid of barrels and a rolling barrier. |
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Professional reining rider, Loris Epis and his horse Wimpys Tinseltown, owned by Fletcher’s Horse World, dazzled the audience with the thrilling sport of reining. Loris and Wimpy put on a picture perfect reining demonstration and won over many new fans with their spins and slides! CLICK HERE to view a clip of Loris' performance |
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Exhibition Therapeutic Riding Association (EXTRA) rider Alex and his horse Cheerio, along with volunteers, demonstrated therapeutic riding and showed the powerful role horses play in cognitive and physical therapies. |
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MEET THE FARRIER: Symon Pidhainy gave a ‘hot’ demonstration of how horseshoes are fitted and shaped. |
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GROOMING STATION: The Riding Academy at the Horse Palace discussed the importance of grooming and demonstrated how to properly brush a horse. |
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TACK STATION: Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies provided English and Western saddles and bridles for visitors to sit in, touch and compare the differences between the two. |
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MEET THE VET: Rob Reimlenger, DVM of Reimlenger Equine Veterinary Services explained what is involved to keep a horse healthy. |
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THE SADDLE CLUB™ KIDS: Fans of the hit television series, The Saddle Club™ had the opportunity to meet two stars from the program’s third series, Lauren Dixon who plays Stevie and Connor Jessup who plays Simon. On behalf of Breyer Animal Creations Stevie and Connor were on hand to celebrate Toronto Horse Day and the release of their new album – “Best Friends”. Lauren and Connor met with fans, took photos and signed autographs. |
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HORSES AT WORK: Peter Henderson shared his extensive photo collection that illustrated the important roles horses played throughout Toronto’s history. |
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Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD): CARD discussed therapeutic riding and volunteer opportunities available |
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Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit Stable Tours: Attendee's had the opportunity to tour the Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit to meet the horses and officers. |
