Canada's Top 50 Influencers in Equestrian Sport 2020: Caledon EP

With Craig Collins at the helm and supported by his team of professionals, Caledon Equestrian Park delivers some of the best competition in the country. The 2020 line-up features 19 competitions from grass-roots events up to top FEI level Jumping and Dressage competitions, making it one of the few shows in the country to host both disciplines at the international level.

The venue started with modest beginnings in 1986 with one jumper and two hunter rings, but has since transformed into an international-calibre venue that is integral to Ontario’s equestrian economic engine. With Craig volunteering his expertise to organize and host the equestrian portion of the 2015 Pan Am Games, CEP now boasts four outdoor rings with all-weather footing, two sand rings, and the largest indoor competition ring in Ontario. With such top facilities, the venue regularly hosts the country’s best athletes from jumping team members Amy Millar, Erynn Ballard, and Nicole Walker to dressage riders Jacquie Brooks, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, and Christilot Boylen. All this culminates in CEP regularly hosting Olympic, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games Team Trials.

When he’s not busy hosting horse shows and clinics, Craig is heavily involved in shaping the policies that govern the industry. He’s currently a board member of Equestrian Canada and also sits on the Jump Committee, the Competition Review Committee, and the Canadian Equestrian Development committee which is tasked with restructuring the programs that support the development of equestrian coaches, instructors and athletes.

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Craig says of his venue, “Our sport is consistently and constantly changing and it is critical for us to be as close to the leading edge as possible. We will continue to adapt as fast as possible to this ever-changing world with a goal to recognize and respond to the needs and desires of the athletes, horses, owners, spectators and sponsors in the best way we can. We want to use the world-class legacy facility we are so fortunate to have to service the sport in the most effective and sustainable way. Our small slice of the sport is much more competitive now than in the past and our goal is to listen and respond as positively as possible to the needs of the sport and its participants. I believe our ability to deliver top shows in the hunter/jumper and dressage disciplines along with world-class clinics is key to having an active and successful horse community. Furthermore, we are so fortunate that the great facility we have has proven time and again that not only can we provide for the High Performance segment of the sport, but also create the environment so that all levels of all disciplines can compete and learn all at the same time and venue.

“The difference from my early days as a rider and a trainer to what we currently have in our industry and sport is monumental. Who of us would have thought we would get so far? To contemplate going from grand prix in a paddock or competing at local fair grounds to tens of millions of dollars spent on purpose-built venues for our sport shows the imagination and consideration that we have all contributed to. My hope and desire is that the youth in our sport today will be able to say the same thing one day …. ‘who would have thought?’ as a result of the current generation’s efforts and foresight.”

Foreseeable Future

“Personally, I hope to be able to continue to contribute and help all of us through the exciting and challenging times we face. I have been so fortunate to work with so many influential people in our sport and am continually amazed at how much time they give willingly to our industry as a whole. For all of the time I have volunteered for the various organizations in our sport it inspires me to see so many give so freely of their knowledge and expertise. I encourage all to get involved whenever they can. Frustrating at times, but so rewarding as well.”

Memorable Moment

“The 2015 Pan American Games. What a tremendous experience, from the early bidding days right through to the last athlete in the competition. It was the highlight of my life and a one-in-a-million opportunity. The team I was so fortunate to be part of delivered the best Pan Am equestrian venue and competition ever. So proud to be a Canadian and having the home team deliver gold!”