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Equine Canada – July 2015

Horse Experience 2015 is an Equine Canada initiative in partnership with the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) and the Headwaters Tourism Association. The project features a month-long showcase of opportunities to see, touch and experience horses in Canada, in parallel with the sold-out Pan Am equestrian competitions in July.

The objectives for Horse Experience 2015 include:

- Developing export markets for Canadian-bred horses, genetics and   expertise. South/Central American countries are key target markets    for Canadian horse industry exports

- Maximizing local horse experience opportunities for international    visitors to the Pan Am equestrian competitions

- Encouraging participation from the domestic market in horse-related   activities

Horse Experience 2015 offers 50 different events on the calendar during July, all within a one-hour radius of the OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park, the central site of the Pan Am equestrian competitions. One of the opportunities includes a unique behind-the-scenes guided walking tour through the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre and Equine Guelph.

Horse Experience also features a series of hospitality events and entertainment at the Orangeville Event Centre (July 11th through the 17th) in Mono, Ontario. The Horse Experience website features details on 50 events, event transportation and shuttle service, RV camping and ticket purchasing options. The Horse Experience transportation offerings include bus service between the event sites, hotels and key mustering points in the region. The objective of the shuttle service and event transportation is to improve visitor access to the Pan Am equestrian competitions, the Horse Experience events and the local communities (to visit, shop and stay).

Equine Canada developed Horse Experience 2015 to align with its Long Term International Strategy, funded through the AAFC Growing Forward 2 program. Horse Experience is providing the Canadian horse industry with the infrastructure and marketing platform to increase exposure to international visitors and export market channels, as well as exposure to the domestic market to increase participation in horse-related activities. Through Horse Experience 2015, Equine Canada and its partners have developed a model that has relevance to tourism and economic sustainability in rural communities.

Horse Experience has received exceptional collaboration from within the horse industry, with more than eight breed associations and six horse sports represented, as well as 15 different riding and unique learning and spectator experiences.