A record crowd was welcomed by Can-Am All Breeds Equine Expo debuting at their new Ancaster Fair location after a pandemic hiatus postponed the event for the last three years. 10,000 people came through the turnstiles for the three-day event, March 31 – April 2, 2023.
It was a great three days full of entertainment, shopping, reconnecting with friends we have not seen in ages and of course all the educational presentations which Equine Guelph was proud to be a part of. “It was good to be back at Can-Am, chatting with all out horse loving friends again,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker “Many thanks to the organizers, participants, sponsors, supporters and volunteers that all returned and brought along new friends to this amazing event!”
Many engaging conversations took place in the adjoining booths of Equine Guelph, EquiMania! and the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP). Horse enthusiasts from youth to adult were hungry to learn more about horses. Interest was piqued for visitors to the OEEEP booth who learned of the free program that could be the golden opportunity to start a career with horses.
Art Auction for Equine Guelph
An auction with 100% of the proceeds going towards Equine Guelph’s educational programs raised just under $1,000. Many thanks to Ross Miller and his team, for once again hosting the fundraiser and thank you to the donors. Two of the Heartland crew added to the excitement with a meet and greet, Ty (Graham Wardle) and Caleb (Kerry James).
Top bidders Emma Linde and family.
Two items were auctioned off: a bullwhip fresh from the hand of famous Australian horseman Guy McLean, who had just finished one of his demonstrations, and a beautiful work of art created by the talented, award-winning artist Ann Clifford (Instagram @anncliffordart).
Thank you to the bidders and congratulations to Emma Linde and family, who now have a spectacular piece of Woven Metal Equine Art to hang in their home in Dundas, ON.
“Can-Am is proud to promote equine welfare and is happy to lend support,” says president Ross Millar. “Our long-standing relationship with Equine Guelph is rooted in a mutual passion for educating horse owners and caregivers.”
Ann Clifford also facilitated the inaugural ‘Can-Am Equine Community Art Project’, inviting all the kids visiting Can-Am to help her paint a wildly colourful, large-scale, “masterpiece”! Young show attendees worked hard on it throughout the course of the event.
“I am extremely proud of all the young people who shared their creative enthusiasm with us at the show,” said Clifford, “It was a whirlwind of activity.”
This beautiful collaborative painting will be finding a home at Equine Guelph to inspire students and faculty on campus, and at the same time draw attention to the wonderful world of learning, sharing and celebration of the horse, that is the Can-Am All Breeds Equine Expo!
Equine Guelph thanks the sponsors and volunteers who make it possible to bring EquiMania! out to these special events. To book EquiMania! for your next event contact nweidner@uoguelph.ca. Youth can visit EquiMania! online and stay tuned to Equine Guelph’s upcoming events for more EquiMania! outings.