2003 Equine Canada Horse Convention Focuses on “The Business of Horses”

Source :  Equine Canada

The 2003 Equine Canada Horse Convention titled ‘The Business of Horses- It’s Your Business’, is set for February 3-10 in Ottawa, Ontario. The Convention promises be a tremendous educational and networking opportunity, bringing together the equine community and industry from across the country to participate in a variety of sessions and key note speakers discussing contemporary issues affecting Canada’s equine industry.


Following the success of last year’s Horse Conference in Regina, the Convention will include a full slate of activities including numerous seminars on critical issues such as “West Nile Virus”, discussing the facts of this extremely contagious and sometimes fatal disease, and “Liability, It Affects Everyone” will inform participants how law can affect horse ownership.


For those interested in the direction of sport horse breeding in Canada, Dr. Xavier Guibert, Director of the breeding and equestrian activities department of the National Stud Establishment in France, will reveal the secrets to his country’s successes at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Spain on Sunday morning. Dr. Guibert will share aspects of his country's systematic breeding program, backed by database statistics and research that has produced champion equines to the highest levels.


The Convention will also include an extensive, interactive Youth Day on Feb. 8th, at A.M. Barr Arena at Kemptville College, in Kemptville, ON. The Youth Day, exclusively designed for the young horse enthusiast, will have guest speakers like Canada’s own Chris Irwin, who will focus on the dynamics of human/horse interaction. Discussions about the opportunities of turning a fascination with horses into an exciting career will also be general theme throughout the day with blacksmiths, vets, judges, and other horse care professionals outlining their jobs in the industry. A horse fashion show will round out the afternoon’s activities.


With open forums being hosted by a number of Equine Canada committees and the Equine Canada Annual General Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 9th, the Convention provides a unique opportunity for input into the direction of Equine Canada.


An annual highlight, Saturday evening’s Awards Banquet will feature keynote speaker Ron Southern, the Equestrian of the Year award and entertainment by The Cowguys. Mr. Southern, Chairman of ATCO Group and Tournament Co-Chairman at Spruce Meadows- one of the world’s premier equestrian facilities, will share his keen insight and discuss the future of Canada’s equine industry.


"This Convention builds on the success of last year’s in Regina. By focusing on the business of horses, it offers our members a spectrum of expertise in 'doing it right'," noted the President of Equine Canada, Dr. Edward Kendall. "The corollary to the adage 'no foot, no horse' is 'no horse, no sport', and Equine Canada is firmly committed to enhancing performance through strengthening the Canadian horse industry."


All seminars and convention meetings, except for Youth Day, will be held at the Ottawa Marriott. For more information on the 2003 Convention, Ottawa Marriott Hotel or to obtain a registration form, please visit www.equinecanada.ca or contact Rachel Roppovalente at Equine Canada at (613) 248-3433 ext. 140.


Equine Canada is a not-for-profit, member based association, which represents, promotes and services Canada’s equine community and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada.