ARCHIVE EQUINE NEWS STORIES

Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions

“It’s hard to beat the Can-Am community, coming together for the love of horses,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker “Many thanks go out to the organizers, participants, sponsors, supporters and volunteers that make this event amazing every year!” Entertainment, shopping, getting together with friends and informative clinics and educational presentations – Can-Am All Breeds Expo in Markham, April 5 – 7 had it all!

In 14 consecutive years featured at Can-Am; EquiMania! and Equine Guelph have accumulated quite a following. Sincere thanks to all our loyal supporters and new partners! The exhibit simply would not run without you. The numerous donations received at Can-Am are very much appreciated and will stimulate Equine Guelph’s educational programs.

“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 care givers.”

Thanks to Ross Miller and Janice Blakeney, for once again hosting the art auction with talented Canadian artists donating their work with 100% of the proceeds going to Equine Guelph. Auction organizer, Janice Blakeney, works hard behind the scenes every year putting together the annual Art Auction featured at the Can-Am Saturday Evening Extravaganza. This year, Ross also filled in as the auctioneer! A total of $3,400 was raised!

Special thanks go to the fantastic and generous artists: Shawn Hamilton (clixphoto.com) and Nola McConnan (merriweatherdesignstudio.com), Janice Ykema (Janiceykema.com), Vickie Lawrence (Vickielawrence.ca).

Thank you to the bidders and congratulations to Nika Rolczewski-Louli, Ken Pedlar, Reza Meymeh and Barb Millar who are now proud owners of beautiful equestrian art. Congratulations also to the gift basket winners: Nicole Spagnuolo, Joey Piotrowski and Marc Lefreniere.

Equine Guelph would like to acknowledge Amber Marshall, star of the CBC series Heartland, for her role in the art auction. She donated the three gift baskets, which went for $500 each, once the incentives of selfie pics with Amber and Guy McLain upped the ante.

Amber also made a surprise appearance in the EquiMania! booth on Sunday. Amber gave a short presentation on "Friends, Forage and Freedom" to her fans to help teach youth about horse welfare and the care that a horse needs.

Sunday, April 7, was Can-Am Youth day and the first 20 youth that passed through the front doors received vouchers for the November online Horse Portal short course offering of Horse Behaviour and Safety from Equine Guelph! "My kids are excited to learn more about horse safety and behavior," says Can-Am winner Christine Clayton from Orono, Ontario. "Thanks so much, Equine Guelph for the course offer. We enjoyed the expo from start to finish, with the Heartland show as the grand finale on Sunday's youth day!"

Equine Guelph looks forward to meeting all the winners online in November!

Equine Guelph is also eager to award certificates to EquiManiacs of all ages, who wish to keep learning about horses at EquiMania.ca! Play free interactive games while increasing knowledge of horse health, anatomy and safety. Take the EquiMania! challenge!

Much gratitude goes to the author of "Rise" The Jessica Phoenix Story, Julie Fitz-Gerald and ROAR. Julie donated a portion of book sales from the weekend to Equine Guelph, which totaled $250. Fitz-Gerald was also “snapped” looking at the awesome inner workings of equines, courtesy of Seemore, EquiMania’s anatomical horse.

Last but certainly not least, Equine Guelph thanks the sponsors and volunteers who make it possible to bring EquiMania! to approximately 2 million visitors every year! Thank you ESSO, Greenhawk, Kubota Canada, Ontario Equestrian, Shur-Gain, SSG Gloves, Standardbred Canada, System Fencing and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. We could not run this exhibit without you!

To book EquiMania! for your next event contact Eq4kids@uoguelph.ca Kids, visit EquiMania! online & stay tuned to upcoming events for more EquiMania! outings.