Ontario Equestrian: Driving Innovation and Community Growth

Ontario Equestrian (OE) is the hub of innovation for the Canadian equestrian industry, empowering the horse community in Ontario and across Canada. Through forward-thinking programs, expanded coaching initiatives, and newly-launched member health and dental benefits, OE has grown into a trusted organization that not only delivers services, but drives positive change.

Equine Benefits: Centralizing Horse Welfare and Protection

The necessity for an equine database has been discussed in Canada for decades, with many hundreds of thousands of dollars spent researching options, but with no result. The importance of tracking the horse herd in the event of a disease outbreak is critical for containment, but advancements in the sector have added many more interesting uses in day-to-day life.

For the last year, OE has been working with Equine Register to introduce their monitoring technology to North America. Equine Register manages the central database into which all equines in the UK are legally required to be recorded. In addition, the World Breed Federation of Sport Horses announced at their 2024 AGM that they have partnered with Equine Register to track lineage and progeny across nations and studbooks. The company is now expanding into Canada and the U.S., with OE at the forefront of this rollout.

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One of OE’s most innovative tools, Equine Register Canada’s Digital Stable integrates verified data to help with biosecurity, member registration, equine ID, competition documentation, results, and more. Unlike traditional microchipping systems, the focus of Equine Register Canada’s technology is whole herd protection through robust, accessible record management.

“It’s really about having proper records,” explained Tracey McCague-McElrea, OE’s Executive Director. “During the pandemic when we were trying to advocate to the government for emergency funding for barn owners, the government asked us how many horses there are in Ontario, and we had no idea. Having this system in place will make everything easier for the horse owner in general, but particularly during an emergency.”

This tool offers significant benefits for equestrians:

Emergency Preparedness: If horses go missing during disasters, they can be identified quickly, ensuring a safer return.
Competition Support: centralized repository for equine health documents for cross-border showing.
Unified Records: Vets and trainers can store and retrieve medical records efficiently, helping identify trends over time.

Through the free version, horse owners can engage with the system without requiring microchips, making the platform accessible to all. A premium paid version offers additional tools including document management, connecting people, GVL coggins integration and advanced use of the QR Horse ID Tag, encouraging adoption across different equestrian sectors — from recreational trail riders to competitive athletes.

Human Benefits: Supporting the Equestrian Community

Understanding the unique needs of horse professionals, OE has also launched a medical and dental benefits programs for all members. This initiative, developed in partnership with Acera Insurance, offers health and dental coverage to coaches, trainers, and stable owners — groups that typically struggle to access affordable insurance due to the entrepreneurial nature of their work.

“We’re not getting any commission from the program,” noted McCague-McElrea, who is sensitive to the needs of OE members. “We just feel it’s a huge benefit that helps protect our membership.”
The benefits package was designed to cater to varying needs, offering individual, couple, and family plans to accommodate members at different life stages. In just one month, over 230 members enrolled in the new benefits program, reflecting the high demand for such services.

There is also the potential for the program to expand across Canada as other provincial equestrian associations have taken note and consider launching their own version. OE’s goal is to leverage group buying power to reduce premiums and improve benefits nationwide.

Coaching Development: Building Leaders for Tomorrow

One of the most impressive areas of growth at Ontario Equestrian is its coaching development program. OE has both simplified the process to become a certified coach and also created a better learning environment along the way.

The creation of the Coaching Handbook and Resource platform (C.H.A.R.) simplified the coaching certification process into an easy-to-follow, step-by-step method. This digital platform — developed by OE’s own coaching team, Charlayne Szafranski and Helen Richardson — uses a green light/red light system to help coaches easily navigate the required courses at their own pace to get their certification.

“It was challenging to help each person one-on-one,” explained McCague-McElrea of the drive to create the platform, “ so we partnered with Alberta Equestrian Federation and made a substantial investment to create a system where people could go step-by-step at their own pace. Now, we’re seeing more engagement than ever with 665 coaches active in C.H.A.R..”

Gathering coaches together for in-person training sessions has traditionally been challenging to implement given physical distance, full-time jobs, and other commitments. OE has taken major steps to address that with cohort-based learning through virtual sessions. This model enables participants to work together in small groups online, sharing experiences and insights without the inconvenience and expense of travelling to be at an in-person session. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning, and OE’s success in building virtual cohorts has drawn attention from other provinces, who are now looking to adopt the same methods.

“You can be part of a cohort regardless of where you are in the country. During the training, candidates discuss lessons, share feedback, and develop as a group,” said McCague-McElrea of the convenience of the online training model. “So there might be twelve coaches who want to do their Competition Coach and they’re doing a lot of it online. Maybe every other Wednesday for twelve weeks they’re coming on Zoom and they’re living it together and going through the process together, versus coming to a training for a few days. I’d say this model of learning and hearing from everybody is more well-rounded.”

Beyond coaching, OE is also leading the way in record management through the creation of the “Vault”. The Vault is a centralized database for storing coaching records, including certifications and multi-sport records. This system not only streamlines OE’s operations, but also provides provinces and governing bodies with accurate data to track progress and support coaches.

The vault interfaces with the Coaching Association of Canada’s Locker system, ensuring seamless data exchange. Although only administrators have access to the Vault, it offers critical insights for OE and other provinces, enabling better planning and data-driven decision-making. For example, by tracking a coach’s journey from Rookie Rider to High-Performance trainer, OE can showcase the effectiveness of its programs to sponsors and government officials.

GRIT: Developing Tomorrow’s Athletes

The GRIT (Great Rider Intensive Training) program stands as a pivotal initiative within Ontario Equestrian, focusing on fostering the next generation of high-performance riders. As a provincial sport organization, McCague-McElrea recognized that OE needed to do more to fulfill its mandate and bridge the gap between provincial-level competitors and national or international success. GRIT offers athletes and their coaches the support, resources, and training needed to reach new heights in their equestrian careers.

GRIT goes beyond riding lessons, encompassing multiple aspects of rider development. Participants receive coaching in areas such as mental health, mental performance, strength and conditioning, and nutrition, equipping them with tools that complement their physical training. The program emphasizes the holistic growth of athletes, ensuring they are mentally and physically prepared for the challenges of competitive riding.

GRIT plays an essential role in creating a pipeline of talent for Ontario and Canada’s equestrian teams. By fostering young talent and providing access to expert coaching, the program ensures that Ontario remains a competitive force on the national and international stage. Athletes engaged in GRIT are exposed to opportunities that can lead to placements on national teams, further strengthening the sport’s infrastructure in Ontario.

National Programs

This year, OE took their coaching development responsibilities one step further by taking over the role as national leader for High Performance coaching development (HP1).

At the beginning of the year, Equestrian Canada (EC) was going to cancel the 2024 HP1 cohort due to lack of uptake, but OE knew how important the program was and stepped in. This year’s program was particularly significant, as it was the last opportunity to get certified at this level before 2025, at which point all coaches at all levels of EC-sanctioned shows must hold Licensed Coach status. Further, EC has committed that all coaches working for EC will have to hold a Coach License in order to work with a team that is representing Canada. Happily, within 24 hours, OE had recruited enough candidates to run the program successfully. There are ten candidates and three in-training candidates completing the program in 2024.

By managing the HP1 program, OE ensures that coaches have the training needed to support athletes competing at the highest levels. The program integrates hands-on learning with virtual coursework, helping coaches refine their skills in areas such as mental performance, fitness, and tack management. The course culminates at the fall GRIT camp where the HP1 candidates are part of a live study lab learning from the riders and coaches in a training environment. These competencies are essential for preparing athletes to compete internationally, including at FEI-level competitions.

Building a Community-Centric Organization

Central to OE’s philosophy is the belief that strong partnerships and responsive service are the foundation of success. Tracey and her team emphasize the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with members. Providing quick responses to inquiries — even at odd hours — has significantly improved member satisfaction and built trust within the community.

“Horse people don’t stop working at five p.m. They’ll message us at three a.m. if they have a question. Technology like C.H.A.R. helps us respond quickly, even outside office hours,” said Brandon Hall, OE’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “We’re here to serve you and help you get an answer. The least we can do is a very quick email or a phone call to say we hear you, and if we don’t have the answer let you know we’re working on it and we will get back to you. If you can’t start with that level of service, then you’re not a part of the customer service industry.”

OE’s member-first approach extends to its physical office, which members can use as a meeting space or for assistance with administrative tasks. The office’s accessible location reflects OE’s commitment to supporting its members, whether by helping them navigate certification requirements or troubleshoot technology issues.

The organization has also worked diligently to demonstrate the value of membership to barn owners and stable managers. Through programs like Rookie Riders and Learn to Ride, OE ensures that everyone involved in the equestrian community benefits from their efforts, fostering a sense of mutual support and shared responsibility.

Setting New Standards

Ontario Equestrian’s innovative programs and forward-thinking initiatives are transforming the equestrian landscape in Canada. By introducing the Digital Stable through Equine Register Canada, expanding coaching certification pathways, and offering essential benefits to members, OE has established itself as a leader in both sport and community development. Their proactive approach — stepping in to develop programs that are being delivered nationally, building technology-driven solutions, and prioritizing member service — demonstrates their commitment to creating a thriving equestrian community.

As Ontario Equestrian continues to grow, their focus remains on empowering individuals and protecting horses, ensuring that members receive the support they need to succeed. From facilitating seamless horse management to preparing coaches to succeed from the local to the international level, OE’s efforts reflect a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the equestrian world. With strong leadership and a collaborative mindset, Ontario Equestrian is setting new standards for excellence and community engagement, both within Ontario and beyond.