From its modest beginnings that, 25 years ago, attracted approximately 60 attendees to a breeder specific meeting prior to the University of Calgary’s two-day horse program, the Horse Breeders and Owners Conference (HBOC) has grown to a world-class event that attracts well over 700 equine enthusiasts each year. “As I remember, the conference started because those in the breeding business wanted an education program that met their educational needs,” says Bob Coleman, associate professor and extension horse specialist at the University of Kentucky, and one of the original members of the organizing committee. “At the time, the University of Calgary had a horse program that ran for a weekend, but the target audience for this program was the rider, not the breeder.”

As with any great idea, born from a recognized need, all that is needed to make it a reality is the enthusiasm of a group of people with a passion for the topic. And a passion for horses, breeding excellent mounts and pulling Alberta’s equine industry together is exactly what Doug Milligan, Les Burwash, Bob Coleman and Pete Fraser brought to the table. They brought together a group of breed representatives from the Arabian, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred associations, met with them and discussed the program and speakers for the first HBOC.

“The concept and the timing were right. The breed clubs were on-side and excited about bringing world class speakers to Alberta to talk to them on topics and about issues in areas such as research, breeding, training and business aspects of the industry,” says Les Burwash, manager of horse programs with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Airdrie. “After that first conference, it was decided to build the HBOC into a stand-alone event and the venue moved to Red Deer, where it has been ever since.”

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