Caledon Equestrian Park Celebrates 30 Years in Operation

By Robyn Clark, Portions excerpt with permission of the original author.
Photo Credit: Michelle C. Dunn

August 6, 2006

The Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON celebrated 30 years in operation during their Caledon Summer Festival and $100,000 CSI-W*** World Cup Qualifier.  The park began as a temporary facility when the original Bolton District Horse Shows Association out grew the facilities at the Bolton fair grounds in 1976.  Through the 70’s and early 80’s the facility was only used once or twice a year but was widely admired for its sensational natural footing for horses and the beauty of the vistas.  In 1986 the facility came under the management of Craig Collins who then added several shows throughout the summer but the park remained a temporary site.   In 1990 Collins put together a partnership of several local professional horsemen and established Equestrian Management Group Inc. with the focus being to establish the Caledon Equestrian Park as the premiere permanent equestrian park in eastern Canada.  They began the process of installing permanent facilities, expanding the schedule of events to include all breeds and disciplines of the equestrian industries and to make use of the facilities during the entire season.  By any measure, Equestrian Management Group has been very successful in achieving their goals.

Caledon Equestrian Park is now home annually to 16 of the most prestigious equestrian events in Canada. It offers accommodations for nearly 1000 horses and 5 international competition rings. The park also provides first class facilities for the many competitors from all over the world as well as those living within Canada’s largest horse community (the Caledon/King corridor).  The Caledon Equestrian Park is now world famous for what originally made it so appealing, the natural footing and beauty.  Since 1990 the park has grown and matured to now host some of the most important competitions in Canada. It has been home to more than; 20 World Cup Qualifiers, 4 Pan American Selection Trials, 2 Olympic Trials, and 60 major National Grand Prix events.  These events have offered millions of dollars of prize money that has been awarded to thousands of horse enthusiasts and professionals.

The working partnership of the Town of Caledon, The Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and Equestrian Management Group has been very successful with this venue. Millions of dollars are brought to the community each year as thousands of horse lovers from around the world visit the region and enjoy the many wonderful activities the area has to offer. The park employs dozens of local residents each year and through its many suppliers has an enormous economic impact on community.  Please visit www.equiman.com for more information.

From left to right: Craig Collins - Managing Partner of Equestrian Management Group, Emil Kolb – Chairman of the Region of Peel, Nancy Stewart – Town of Caledon  and Region of Peel Councillor, Robert Carey – Equestrian Management Group Partner.