A first for the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph, the college is endorsing a one-of-a-kind equestrian heritage tour of Ireland, In the Hoofprints of Northern Dancer, from April 28 to May 8, 2026. The tour will be led by friend of the College and honorary doctorate recipient Lorraine Stubbs.
Stubbs, of Rockwood, Ontario, is a two-time Olympian, having competed for Canada in dressage at Munich ’72 and Montreal ’76, where she reached the finals. Lorraine became the first Level 3 national coach in Canada in any equestrian sport. She was also a Thoroughbred breeder and owner for more than 20 years.
“I can think of no better ambassador for OVC’s horse lovers than Lorraine,” said OVC Dean Jeffrey Wichtel. “Her unrivalled curiosity, interest and experience regarding the place of horses in our culture today and throughout history, as well as her extensive world travel, make her a natural for this role.”
Coolmore Stud.
Stubbs designed and will lead the bespoke Irish tour, which begins and ends in Dublin and includes Race Day at the Punchestown Festival; a guided tour with race trainer Jessica Harrington’s team; a visit to the National Stud and Coolmore Stud breeding centres; horseback riding at Killarney National Park; hiking to iconic sites such as the Rock of Cashel and the Cliffs of Moher; touring the city of Galway; and (naturally) a stop at Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland! (View the entire itinerary and additional details here.)
“Ireland is one of my favourite places in the world,” said Stubbs. “I want to share how the legacy of Canada’s Northern Dancer lives on in the incomparable Irish equestrian culture.”
The legendary racehorse Northern Dancer’s influence and bloodline are especially pervasive in Ireland. He was leading sire in that country in 1970, 1978, 1983 and 1984, and his progeny included successful horses like Nijinsky II and Sadler’s Wells, which led to major Irish breeding operations like Coolmore Stud targeting his genetics and solidifying his impact on Irish racing.
While the University taps its own experts to curate and lead these tours, it partners with an external travel agency – Worldwide Quest – for booking and logistical support. This is not a fundraising activity for the College, but rather another opportunity to contribute to the cultural education of the broader community.
Open to OVC alumni and non-alumni horse lovers, you can learn more about this exciting tour at Worldwide Quest / Ireland’s Equestrian Heritage or call 1-800-387-1483. Registration is limited, and guests will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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