Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs) play a pivotal role in the equestrian industry by creating a sense of belonging and fostering community. Having direct contact with so many riders, these organizations serve as the glue holding the industry together. With a network of about 80,000 members across the country, PTSOs are uniquely positioned to gather, connect, and engage equestrian enthusiasts and professionals.
Building a Community
Unlike a national federation which is more removed, PTSOs are the boots on the ground with direct contact with industry participants as they deliver the various events, programs, and membership benefits that create the opportunities for individuals to participate and learn.
One of the most important roles of the PTSOs is to train coaches who are the backbone of any sport. These professionals nurture and encourage the next generation and are paramount to the success of any athlete. While Equestrian Canada (EC) creates the programs that the coaches must complete, it is the provinces who are responsible for delivering those programs.
PTSOs also work directly with provincial members to organize clinics on horse care, riding, safety, and management bringing together riders at different levels to not only build skills but also strengthen the sense of community. One such example would be the GRIT program combining athlete development clinics and supportive coaching offered by Ontario Equestrian.
On a more grassroots level, they also support local equestrians with a variety of programs. Examples include the equestrian trail database maintained by the British Columbia Horse Council, the variety of scholarships and bursaries offered by Alberta Equestrian, the Futurités series of competitions to recognize provincial breeders in Quebec, or the High School Credit program offered in Nova Scotia.
On top of that, PTSOs sanction provincial level local equestrian competitions that are the foundation for – and bridge to – national and international sport. Plus, they also recognize provincial level officials to oversee those events since officials recognized by Equestrian Canada are prevented from working at non-EC sanctioned events.
As industry spokespeople, PTSOs amplify the voices of their communities, ensuring the concerns of equestrians are heard by stakeholders like government bodies and corporate sponsors. Without these organizations, equestrian sport risks becoming fragmented, reducing their ability to grow and evolve.
Challenges in Community Building
While PTSOs excel at fostering connections, they face significant challenges, particularly in funding. Member and government funding — two primary financial resources for these organizations — are often stretched thin. For instance, provincial budgets for sports organizations have seen cuts in recent years, making it difficult for PTSOs to expand their programs. This limitation has prompted PTSOs to seek corporate sponsorships, but attracting sponsors in niche sports can be difficult. Sponsors often require measurable returns on their investments, making it crucial for PTSOs to demonstrate value.
Corporate sponsorship has the potential to support new or enhanced initiatives such as youth development programs, safety campaigns, and infrastructure improvements at local riding facilities. These programs not only enhance the member experience but also provide tangible benefits that sponsors can showcase as part of their community support efforts.
The Path Forward
By continuing to build on successful initiatives that have had early success, PTSOs are working to support equestrian communities. Partnering with corporation to create sponsorship-friendly programs will help boost the bottom line. While working with horse shows to develop naming rights for certain events or branded educational series, can help attract corporate partners by offering them high-visibility opportunities.
Enhancing member benefits is another crucial strategy. All PTSOs in Canada (except for Quebec) have partnered with Acera Insurance to deliver one of the most valuable membership benefits including a range of automatic and optional insurance coverage for members. Some PTSOs are even expanding their insurance partnerships to include health and dental programs customized for equine enthusiasts that makes membership even more attractive.
With decades of service to the community, Acera Insurance is uniquely positioned to respond to the specific needs of competitive and non-competitive riders and horse owners. They offer a higher limit liability coverage of $5 million and a world-wide policy so that all PTSO members have that extra peace of mind. Whether you are at home, at the boarding place, at a show or clinic or just riding down the road, you are covered. It’s important to note that these are industry-specific scenarios that aren’t always covered by your average home owner or farm insurance policy. Its also worth noting that this program doesn’t cover just a specific horse – coverage applies to ANY horse owned, leased, borrowed or used by the member for personal purposes.
Beyond that, Acera also offers extensive coverage for your horse. Whether you choose named perils coverage or opt for full mortality / medical / surgical coverage, you can get the support you need for your partner in a time of need.
Ultimately, PTSOs are not just organizations; they are lifelines for the equestrian community. Acera is very proud to support Canada’s PTSOs with a variety of programs and supports including insurance, educational scholarships, and horse show and clinic sponsorships across the country. In addition, Acera has been an education patron at Equine Guelph for over 15 years and makes regular donations on behalf of clients who have lost a horse.
Acera is committed to the equestrian community and is proudly a 100% Canadian-owned insurance provider from coast-to-coast.
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