2020 CANADIAN EQUINE EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Celebrating all things horse
Sometimes a trip includes horses, and sometimes it’s all about horses. Here’s a list of major Canadian Horse-related events and fairs worth travelling to for a day, weekend or more … or simply checking out if you’re nearby.
In the comments sections, let us know what you love (or don’t) about any of these activities and advice you have for other horse-loving globe trotters heading there. Or, if you know of any events worth visiting you’d like to add, please post those in the comments too.
ONTARIO
TORONTO, ON
Royal Winter Fair, 2010, Toronto
THE ROYAL WINTER FAIR
November 6 to 15, 2020
Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
International Show Jumping and more
Royal Winter Fair Horseshow ticket includes admission to the Fair celebrating every aspect of rural living , along with the World of Horses exhibition.
check out more about the Royal Winter Fair here!
MORRISBURG, ON
Upper Canada Village – HORSE LOVER’S WEEKEND
September 5 to 7, 2020
Upper Canada Village, 13740 Country Road 2, Morrisburg, Ontario
Home of the Canadian Horse, this historic village recreating the 1800’s celebrates the equine with horse jumping, rodeo and polo demonstrations, the last weekend of the summer each year. The parade of horses happens each day at noon in front of Cook Tavern.
RICHMOND HILL, ON
37TH ANNUAL POLO FOR HEART (POSTPONED 2020)
June, 2020
Three-day event featuring two international polo matches each day, and silent auction fundraiser for the Heart Association. Dress for the weather and walking in grass, but there is a hat competition so wear your best and biggest. 13401 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, Ontario. 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. www.poloforheart.org.
MARKHAM,ON
Annual CAN-AM All Breeds Expo (Cancelled 2020)
April 3 to 5, 2020
A weekend of all things horse – both English and Western disciplines. Vendors, rescues and three rings of clinics, shows and educational opportunities, along with an evening gala show. Admission is $25 for one day, $45 for the weekend and $30 for the CAN-AM Evening Extravaganza Show. Check out horsestrotting Can-Am adventures.
Markham Fairgrounds, OAS Event Centre, 10801 McCowan Road, Markham, Ontario
ROCKTON, ON
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
October 9 to 12, 2020
Draft horse preparation at the annual Rockton World’s Fair in Rockton
There’s a plethura of small town fall fairs each year, but this one claims to be the word’s biggest, though no one’s been able to quantify that claim. It is expansive, fun and the fall fair to go to if you only get to one. In additional to the usual animal barns, midway, carnival food and craft show there’s horse events all weekend, each day dedicated to Western events, English show jumping or a crowd favourite: draft horse carriages of all sizes.
Thanksgiving (Canadian) weekend in October every year
ESSA (Near Barrie), ON
Canadian National Draft Horse Exhibition
August 1 to 2, 2020
The Essa Canadian National Draft Horse Exhibition showcases the three draft horse breeds in Ontario. This exhibition provides class that will qualify contestants for the All Canadian competitions, the North American Classic 6 Horse Hitch program as well as various breeding programs run by the Ontario breed associations. Essa Agriplex, 7505 10th Line, Essa, Ontario.
SIMCOE, ON
Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show
October 6 to 12, 2020
The Annual Norfolk Country Fair and Horse Show is Classic country fair vibe with food vendors, country fair baking, craft, quilting and vegetable growing contests but the horse show is the best reason to go. Hunter Jumper competitions all day during the first two days of the fair, along with some barrel racing events and mini horse show later. Check out our adventures. Fair Grounds, 172 South Drive, Simcoe, Ontario
ALBERTA
CALGARY, AB
SPRUCE MEADOWS (Highlights) – Annual World Class Show Jumping Event from May to September
18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary, Ontario
- Spruce Meadows Classic:
- National Classic I: May 2 & 3, 2020
- National Classic II: May 8 to 10, 2020
- Rolex National CSI 5: June 4 to 7, 2020
- Continental CSI 5: June 11 to 14, 2020
- Rolex Pam America: June 25 to 28, 2020
- Rolex North American: July 1 to 5, 2020
- Spruce Meadows Rolex Masters Tournament: September 9 to 13, 2020
CALGARY STAMPEDE
July 3 to 12, 2020
1410 Olympic Way, S.E., Calgary Alberta
Biggest Rodeo in Canada celebrating all things agricultural.
First two weeks of July, every year.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CHILLIWACK, BC
THE MANE EVENT
October 23 to 25, 2020
The Mane Event is a fun event of vendors, trade fair, equine education and clinics for horse enthusiasts. Chilliwack Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, BC. Tickets are $17 to $45 for admission and $15 for Saturday Night Equine Experience Show.
MAPLE RIDGE, BC
Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre – Equestrian events year round including monthly show jumping trials and flat classes. Highlights include the follow:
- MREC Horse Trials – May 2 to 3, 2020
- Mother’s Day Classic Hunter Jumper Show – May 7 to 10, 2020
- MREC Labor Day Classic Hunter Jumper Show – September 3 to 7, 2020
- MREC Dressage and Jumping Schooling Show – November 1, 2020
Click here for a COMPLETE 2020 Events Schedule
Equi-Sports Centre, 21973 132nd Avenue, Maple Ridge, British Columbia
LANGLEY, BC
THUNDERBIRD SHOW PARK
Thunderbird Show Park (tbird Park) – Locations of annual international equestrian competitions including the following:
- Touch of Class Dressage – June 12 to 14, 2020
- West Coast Classic show jumping – June 24 to 28, 2020
- Western Family – July 1 to 5, 2020
- Summer Fort Welcome – August 5 to 9, 2020
- Summer Fort Classic – August 11- 16, 2020
- Summer Fort Festival – August 18 to 23, 2020
- VOLVO CANADA CUP International Show Jumping – August 23, 2020
- BCHJA Fall Finale – September 23 -27, 2020
- Pacific Dressage Regional – October 2 to 4, 2020
tbird Park, 248th Street and 72nd Avenue, Langley B.C., (35 minutes from Vancover)
MANITOBA
BRANDON, MA
THE 2018 ROYAL MANITOBA WINTER FAIR
March 29 to April 3, 2021
The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, hosted annually at 115-10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba. All things agricultural along with a horse show including Barrel Racing, Hunter/Jumper Classes, Hackney and horse demonstrations.
QUEBEC
BROMONT, QC
INTERNATIONAL BROMONT
Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, 450 Chemin de Gaspe, CP 98, Bromont, Quebec
Bromont CCI-S (FEI Eventing Nations Cup) – June 13 to 16, 2020
EVERYWHERE!
Canadian Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team
Cowgirls’ training farm: TJ Stables, 837 Gregory Drive, Chatham, Ontario
Check out more about the Canadian Cowgirls here!
RCMP Musical Ride
The Musical Ride starts its 2020 Season with a ride at home in June at the Ottawa RCMP stables, then heads to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for a Summer and Fall 2020 tour. Find the 2020 schedule here: RCMP Musical Ride Schedule
The Musical Ride tours different parts of Canada every year, representing one of the countries most internationally recognized symbols: The Canadian Mountie. The Annual Sunset Ceremonies happen late June from 7 to 8:30 pm at the RCMP stables in Ottawa at 1 Sandridge Road. Rescue dogs and kids entertainment will also be there, along with equestrian demonstrations.
Traveling around North America? Keep tabs on shows across the USA:
For a great listing of American shows to see and participate in across the U.S.A. check out walk trot go – an equestrian community site.
FOR MORE SHOW JUMPING AND EQUESTRIAN EVENTS check out Horse Canada’s monthly listing here.
