The Can-Am Equine All Breeds Emporium, now in its 10th year, put a horsey twist on Easter at its new Hills of the Headwaters location, the Orangeville Fairgrounds, from March 28 to 31.
Showcasing some of the equine industry’s brightest stars, the event attracted visitors to the show with over 130 vendors selling an array of products and services, from tack and clothing to veterinary care and insurance.
The event was much more than a trade show, as the nearly 15,000 horse enthusiasts soon discovered.
Organizers report classroom-style clinics and hands-on seminar presentations featured a diverse slate of articulate, inspiring speakers, including famed Australian horse-trainer Guy McLean, “whose humourous delivery and great cowboy looks captivated full-capacity audiences every day.”
McLean shared the spotlight with two other renowned trainers, Jonathan Field and Stacy Westfall.
The seminars provided visitors with multiple experiences and new perspectives, as did Equine Guelph’s award-winning interactive exhibit Equimania, the Parade of Breeds (which offered a close look at some of Ontario’s top bloodlines, from miniatures to Percherons), the patriotic Canadian Cowgirls drill team, and the Ontario Farriers Team trials – all ensuring “good value for the price of admission.”
The emporium attracted visitors with a broad range of horse interests from every corner of the province.
Even the show’s congenial promoter, Ross Millar, was surprised by the turnout, especially on Good Friday, which tested the venue’s capacity to the max.
“We were overwhelmed by the response on Friday,” he said, “and we are quickly developing a strategy to improve our capacity for next year.”
The experience on Sunday similarly proved challenging.
That day a whole new crowd lined up to meet Amber Marshall, the Canadian actress, and star of CBC’s hit family show Heartland.
It’s no wonder local hotels sold out and local service providers profited from the ripple effect of the horse industry’s economic thrust.
“It was nice to get the extra business this time of year,” said a representative at Mono Arts and Graphics.
Regional network launched
Kelly Counsell, there to launch Headwaters Horse Country (a regional equine network that will better connect the Headwaters horse industry), summarized the deep impact of the show on regional business interests: “This was the best industry networking event I have ever attended.”
If the Can-Am event is any indication, the region had better get ready for the equestrian events coming their way with the Pan-American Games in July 2015.
For more information on the event, contact Jessica Medeiros at jessica.medeiros@live.com or by calling 519-942-3011.
