University of Guelph to Host Inter-Ontario University Horse Show

On Saturday February 3, the University of Guelph Equestrian Club will host its first inter-Ontario horse show at Halton Place, in Halton Hills. The aim of this horse show is to provide university students with the opportunity to represent their schools in competition.

The show is the second-ever Ontario horse show geared exclusively towards university-level equestrian athletes. The first such show was hosted by Wilfred Laurier University during the 2005-2006 academic year. This year, Guelph will invite 80 competitors from Ontario universities with established equestrian clubs to participate in the event.

The horse show will be run in the style of the Inter-Collegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competitions in the United States. Under this format, each rider will compete in one over fences and one under saddle class and will be judged on hunter-equitation. Riders will compete on horses that are provided for them by the host school, and the mounts will be chosen by raffle. Riders will not be allowed to warm up their horses prior to entering the ring.

For several years, Canadian Universities have been sending equestrian teams to compete on the IHSA circuit in the US. The University of Guelph’s upcoming horse show will give many more students the chance to participate in this style of competition. The long-term goal is to create an inter-University horse show circuit in Ontario.

The horse show will be entirely student-run, and there are many sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available. If you would like to receive more information on the Inter-Ontario University Horse Show, please contact the University of Guelph Equestrian club at equest@uoguelph.ca