Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments Raise the Bar for 2018
March 23, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario
Photo by Jump Media
Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography
Two consecutive weeks of top hunter and jumper competition will be showcased in the heart of the nation’s capital with the return of the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON. The National Horse Show will run from July 11 to 15 followed by the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show from July 18 to 22.
In anticipation of the 2018 competitions, Wesley Clover Parks has undergone extensive upgrades that include improvements to the stabling areas and the installation of new footing. Returning competitors will appreciate footing upgrades to the Creekside Hunter Ring and, most notably, to the main hunter warm-up ring where the ground has been entirely replaced from the base up with state-of-the-art, all weather footing.
“I’m excited for the competitors to see the new improvements we have made for this year,” said Karen Sparks, Executive Director of Wesley Clover Parks. “An upgrade in footing is something that riders feel deeply about, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone experience the new footing in the hunter warm-up ring, as well as the improvements that have been made in the Creekside Hunter Ring.
“It’s so important to have all aspects of the horse show at the quality that we as management expect, and that all of our competitors deserve,” continued Sparks. “To that end, we’ve made upgrades to the stabling area to ensure that everything functions to our high standards.”
Two of the world’s best course designers have been retained for the 2018 Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments. Canada’s own Michel Vaillancourt, individual silver medalist at the 1976 Olympic Games and course designer for the 2015 Pan American Games, will design during the Ottawa National. Ireland’s Alan Wade, appointed course designer for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, will take over course design duties on Wesley Clover Parks’ expansive grass field for the CSI3* Ottawa International.
Competition highlights for the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show include the $50,000 CSI3* Open Welcome on Friday, July 20, and the $125,000 CSI3* Ottawa International Grand Prix on Sunday July 22, featuring a $25,000 increase in prize money. A new $10,000 Modified Grand Prix/Under 25 class will also be offered, and an additional $2,500 in prize money has been added to both the Open and Junior/Amateur divisions.
Hunter competition has been expanded to include two hunter derby events, including a $10,000 Canadian Hunter Derby Series (CHDS) Open Hunter Derby on the grass field during the Ottawa National Horse Show. A $5,000 CHDS Open Hunter Derby will be held in the all-weather ring during the CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Show.
Conveniently located at the Moodie Drive exit off the 417 highway, Wesley Clover Parks showcases international show jumping competition in the heart of Ottawa. The uniquely urban location makes the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments one of the very few Canadian show jumping tournaments to be held inside city limits.
For more information on the Ottawa National and CSI3* Ottawa International Horse Shows, visit www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com. Find the latest updates, photos, and information by following Wesley Clover Parks on Facebook here.
