On April 10th, members gathered for the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Annual General Meeting, reflecting on a successful 2024 with a Year in Review presentation celebrating the achievements of last year’s Fair while also looking ahead with excitement and purpose.
Guests were introduced to incoming President and Chair, Joe Parker, and welcomed new board members Juanita Dickson, Matt McCready, and Jon Walker. The Honourable Trevor Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, join the meeting to share his remarks.
Members shared a heartfelt thank-you to outgoing board members for their years of dedication and service to The Royal. Crystal Mackay, Ari Ekstein — Chair of the Agriculture & Food Committee — and Past President Shelley Peterson have each left a lasting mark on the Royal community and legacy.
FEI World Cup Dressage Returns to The Royal
This year, The Royal Horse Show features the long-awaited return of international dressage. As a CDI 3*-W, this event will welcome top riders and horses from across North America and beyond. Athletes and their horses will have the opportunity to acquire important points toward qualification for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final held in April of 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. This exciting upgrade marks a significant step forward for dressage at The Royal and will be a highlight of this year’s horse Show. (Watch for more info about this event upcoming in HorseSport.)
The ‘Road To The Royal’ Kicks Off at tbird
The Road to the Royal for Western Canada officially kicks off next week with the April Season Opener at Thunderbird Show Park in British Columbia. This important horse show marks the start of the Canadian season for top hunters and jumpers and sets the stage for their journey to The Royal Horse Show in Toronto, November 7-16.
2025 Royal Poster Artist Revealed
The Royal provided an exclusive first look at the artist behind the 2025 Royal Poster: Angela Lane, based in Thornhill, Ontario. Angela is an award-winning encaustic painter whose vibrant work is inspired by her deep connection to nature, shaped by hikes, kayak trips, and time spent in her garden. Her impressionistic encaustic (beeswax) paintings, rich in colour, texture, and soul, offer a unique perspective on our awe-inspiring natural world. With sustainability at the heart of her process and beeswax (a Royal competition staple!) as her medium, Angela is a perfect fit to bring the 2025 Royal Poster to life. The full artwork will be revealed this September.
Murray Reissner Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
One of The Royal’s most dedicated ambassadors, Murray Reissner, was recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Created by His Majesty on the advice of the Canadian government, this medal honours Canadians who have made a significant impact; for over 30 years, Murray has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for the dairy cattle shows, a cornerstone member of the Dairy Jr. Classic Committee, and the long-standing ringmaster for both the 4-H Dairy Classic and National Holstein Shows. His passion for agriculture, youth, and the Holstein breed has helped uphold the world-class standard of The Royal.
For more information, visit HERE.
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