The Bécancour Equestrian Complex, centrally located between Montreal and Quebec City, came to life thanks to equestrian enthusiast Francois Pepin and three entrepreneurial friends: Jean-Claude Parr, Steve Garceau and Mustapha Berri. Construction on this sprawling world-class complex began in January of 2018 and it is now a bustling show facility featuring eight competition arenas, two warm-up areas and two spacious indoor arenas, with room for 5,000 spectators. The three competition barns plus temporary stabling can house over 400 horses. Add to this camping and RV hookups, a golf course, breeding farm tours, a steak house, a cafe, and bicycle paths and you have a first-rate destination for athletes and families.
This show facility is a welcome addition in a province with far too few top venues. As such it attracts not only Canadians, but pulls in cross-border competitors as well to its EC gold hunter/jumper shows and various breed shows, gymkhanas and Western discipline events including the busy reining circuit.
Bécancour executive director Martine Fortin, formerly the operations manager at Bromont, expects the facility to continue to develop, thanks in part to its superior indoor and outdoor facilities, but especially its convenient location. “Our competitors come from all over Canada, but more Americans have eyes to come here in 2020.”
Foreseeable Future
“We are happy to count on already more than 25 events for 2020, including show jumper, hunter, and driving. We are in contact with a few dressage organizers to hold events as well. We are still hosting the Provincial Classic Finals of Cheval Québec (Caballista), as well as many western events in reining, performance, gymkhana, and Extreme Cowboy. A few clinics in various disciplines are also booked for 2020.”
Mission Possible
“Over the next five years we will continue developing the site toward an FEI jumping competition, since we have the perfect outdoor facilities to receive international competitors. We would like to have dressage competitions at all levels, too.
“As the demand grows in winter for jumpers, we would like to become a training centre to help riders get to other levels by extending their season. Not all of them have the chance to train in Florida.”
