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Horse Show
Operating Times & Admission
THE COLLINGWOOD HORSE SHOWS
Collingwood Festival ~ August 6-10, 2008
Kubota Collingwood Classic ~ August 13-17, 2008
Please see
tentative
schedule for exact start times each day. All competition ends
approximately at 5:00pm. Vendors usually open around 9:30am.
Admission
Wednesday to Sunday - FREE
Show Info
THE COLLINGWOOD HORSE SHOWS
Prize List -
Download PDF
Entry Forms -
Download
Week 1 PDF |
Download
Week 2 PDF
Schedules -
Download
Week 1 PDF |
Download
Week 2 PDF
Stall Request/Feed Pre Order Form -
Download PDF
Local
News - THE BLUE MOUNTAINS - The 2007 Collingwood Horse Shows are
returning to their old
home at Fisher Field after being cancelled at the new facility in
Thornbury
The popular equestrian event shifted base west to The Blue Mountains
from Collingwood this year as the Hayes family set about building what's
been called a
"world-class equestrian centre."
Mayor Ellen Anderson of The Blue Mountains announced the cancellation
Tuesday morning. It's a major blow for the town, but she was optimistic
for the future of
the show at the site.
Anderson said she had been informed by Jay Hayes, the president of the
shows, that
the facility wouldn't be ready for the August opening. That's because of
the
"near-drought" conditions the local area has experienced for the last
two months.
"There hasn't been an opportunity for any grass to grow or any sod to be
laid that
would be trustworthy for August," Anderson said. "Even if they could get
it going at
this time the roots would be so shallow that if we did get rain in
August it would
just be a muck hole. So Jay decided that instead of risking putting the
show on and
not being a success, that he would forego it this year."
Anderson said that with an extra year of preparation, the new facility
should be in
excellent shape for the 2008 show.
"It's unfortunate but I believe it's a good decision that they've made,"
she said.
Hayes confirmed that in a brief telephone interview with the
Enterprise-Bulletin. He
said the arrangements have been finalized for the shows to come back to
Collingwood.
"That was always our back-up plan," he said. That contingency had been
negotiated with Leisure Services Director Peter Dunbar
last fall, Hayes said. Dunbar was not available for comment
Collingwood Horse Show / Blue Mountain Horse Show;
In 1986, show jumper Jay Hayes, his wife Shawn, and a group of
equestrian enthusiasts started a small horse show at the local fair
grounds in Collingwood. Since 1986, this horse show has matured into
Eastern Canada's largest outdoor hunter and jumper events.
After years of hard work and dedication, this twin
spectacular attracts top equestrians from across Canada and the United
States. Officially known as the Collingwood Horse Shows, this major
North American equestrian event features nationally televised Grand Prix
competitions, a bustling trade fair called the Walk, family
entertainment including antique shows, clowns, magicians, dog shows ,
musicians and a hospitality tent affording excellent corporate
networking and entertainment opportunities.
While in the Collingwood area, exhibitors, spectators as
well as sponsors can take advantage of many recreational activities,
including golf, tennis, hiking, mountain biking and sailing.
The success of the combined Collingwood Horse Shows is
due, in large part, to the substantial efforts and contribution of local
volunteers, businesses, community groups, The Town of Collingwood and a
dedicated management team who oversee every aspect and detail of the
events.
Government and business recognize the economic impact of
the event, which has been estimated at $10 million over the two-week
period. The Collingwood Horse Shows offer an impressive return on
marketing and advertising investment through substantial on-site and
television exposure, augmented by first class newspaper and magazine
coverage.
Collingwood Horse Show
RR #4
387117- 20th Side Road
Orangeville, Ontario
L9W 2Z1
Email: Please complete our contact form by clicking
here
Please make cheques payable to: Collingwood Horse Show
Thornbury Horse Park Becomes a Reality
for Collingwood Horse Show
Thornbury, Ontario --- Thornbury Horse Park in the Town of
Blue Mountains, near the resort destination of Collingwood, ON, will be
the new home of the Collingwood Horse Shows.
Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006, the Collingwood Horse
Shows will be held in its new location this year thanks to the Town's
recent final approval of the master plan of Thornbury Horse Park.
The 250-acre equestrian community will be unique in that it will offer a
state-of-the-art horse facility combined with residential condominiums
as well as club amenities under one management and ownership umbrella.
"Ontario has a huge hunter/jumper community and while we have many nice
facilities, our intention is to build a first-class competition facility
with a residential component," explained Jay Hayes, President of Cedar
Run Corp. "The club amenities will be an added bonus for those
looking to enjoy a recreational lifestyle while also pursuing their
equestrian goals."
Thornbury Horse Park will include 300 quality residences comprised of
studio, one, two and three-bedroom condominiums surrounding the horse
show grounds. Owners will have access to a Club House, spa, pool
and tennis courts. The equestrian facility will feature three
Grand Prix rings - one grass and two all-weather - four hunter rings, an
indoor arena, 20 paddocks, and 300 permanent stalls plus temporary
stabling for an additional 1,700 horses. In addition, there will
be viewing terraces and VIP and media lounges. Parking will
accommodate up to 5,000 vehicles.
"The unique thing about Thornbury Horse Park is the way that we are
structuring the ownership," stated Hayes, a two-time Canadian Olympian.
Identifying the need to keep the entire project moving in the same
direction and avoid conflicts that have strained other prominent
equestrian facilities around the world, Hayes and partner Peter Lush
have developed a win-win ownership plan.
"We are going to sell 25 units, and those owners will own the facility,
the residential component, and the horse shows," explained Hayes.
"I want to have 25 partners who are all proactive, and who can pull
together for our mutual success in support of the Park. In total,
we will have 300 residential owners who are members, and will have full
access to the facilities. We will also offer another 200
non-residential memberships. Members can use the facilities
year-round, and will also enjoy preferred stabling, discounts on show
entry fees, and other benefits. We have already sold more than 50
memberships, which is extremely encouraging at this early stage. I knew
there was a need for this type of facility, but I wasn't sure exactly
what the reaction would be."
While Thornbury Horse Park will host a wide variety of multi-discipline
equestrian competitions and clinics year-round, the Collingwood Horse
Shows will be the flagship event, held in 2007 from August 8-12 and
August 15-19.
"The best thing is that all three grand prix rings will be very
special," continued Hayes. "One will be grass with a beautiful
view of the Georgian Peak Bay and the mountains, with natural
amphitheatre seating, while the other two rings will have all-weather
footing. All three Grand Prix rings will be 'number one' rings.
Even nicer is that the three hunter and dressage rings, featuring
natural sand footing, will be nestled in an apple orchard, tucked away
in their own little enclave among mature trees. Thornbury Horse
Park will showcase equestrian competition in a beautiful natural
setting."
While Hayes has designed much of the Thornbury Horse Park himself based
on his twenty years experience running the Collingwood Horse Show, he
has also consulted several highly respected show jumping course
designers including Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, Guilherme Jorge of
Brazil, and Canada's own David Ballard. Other experts involved
include McCowan Excavating, Harry Merideth who will manage the footing,
the engineering firm of Tathum and Associates, and Souhaila Sarkis,
registered landscape architect. Preeminent Canadian designer John
Bousfield of Toronto developed the overall master plan.
"The Town has been super and the mayor has been supportive, which is
very rare especially in today's world when there are usually so many
environmental concerns," praised Hayes. "We did everything by the
book, including involving the Ministry of Transportation and
conservation groups in our plans, and everything went smoothly.
The knowledge and expertise of John Bousfield also helped us to
accomplish in one year what would normally take three years to get final
approval of the master plan."
For more information on memberships, event marketing, sponsorship and
investment opportunities, please visit
www.collingwoodhorseshow.com or contact Jay Hayes at tel:
(905) 588-1430 or e-mail:
jay.hayes@hughes.net
Directions
THE COLLINGWOOD HORSE SHOWS
From Airport Road
From Toronto up the 400 or coming south
on Highway 11 from Orillia
Take Bayfield Exit - North Drive along Bayfield until you come to
Highway 26 and turn left. Follow 26 into Stayer Go straight through
Stayer to Duntroon Turn right or North at Duntroon and drive into
Collingwood Turn Left at Sixth street and continue until you come to
Horse Show Site
From 401
Take 427 North to Airport Road North Drive until you come to Stayner and
turn left towards Duntroon at the lights. Turn right or North at
Duntroon and drive into Collingwood Turn Left at Sixth street and
continue until you come to Horse Show site
From Orangeville and western regions areas
Take highway 124 north and continue through into Collingwood Turn Left
at Sixth street and continue until you come to Horse Show site
From Midland, Penitanguishene, Elmvale areas
Follow highway 26 into Collingwood and drive along the fast food
strip.(Highway 26 is actually called First Street along the strip) At
the lights at The Best Western, go straight onto Blue Mountain Road,
past the A&P At Golf Course Road, turn left and follow road to horse
show.
From 2007 Horse Show site to Thornbury Horse Park:
Turn Left out of Horse Show
At stop, turn Left on to Blue Mountain Road and continue along until you
hit the water. Turn Left on to Highway 26.
Follow Highway 26 in to Thornbury and turn Left on to Grey Road 2, and
immediately Right on to Clark Street.
Thornbury Horse Park is on your left.
THE COLLINGWOOD HORSE SHOWS
Dear Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Members,
Although we had anticipated moving to the Thornbury Horse Park for this
years events, we made the final decision not to move this year.
Our decision to remain in Collingwood for one more year is due to a very
dry spring that impacted the development of the grassed areas at
Thornbury Horse Park. A five-week drought meant that the grass failed to
germinate in some of the periphery areas of the Park. For the safety of
the horses as well as for the comfort of the competitors, vendors and
spectators, we felt it was necessary to make this decision.
In consultation with all major stakeholders including the Town of
Collingwood, the Town of the Blue Mountains, presenting sponsors and
supporters, we have made the decision to remain in the same location as
the previous 20 years.
Thanks to the Town of Collingwood, most notably Peter Dunbar, Director
of Leisure Services, as well as Larry Dunn of Linksview Development
Corporation who is the owner of the stabling area and driving range
where the rings will be, we have the opportunity to remain in
Collingwood for one more year. We have all dreamed of riding on a golf
course; now we get the chance to see if we like it!
Two other key figures who you all know well are back once again for
2007. Scott “Skippy” Wenge is back along with Chris “Fergy” Ferguson to
set up and maintain the grounds. A special thank you goes out to them
for their dedication and loyalty to the Collingwood Horse Shows.
This year we once again have an exciting line up of classes. We are
pleased to offer full Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation classes and
divisions. We also play host to the $50,000 Miele Grand Prix on
Saturday, August 18th and the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand on Sunday, August
19th; always an exciting class in the Kubota Cup Series.
On behalf of ourselves and our committees, we would like to take this
opportunity to thank you for supporting us over the past 20 years and
are excited for what the future holds! Your continued support has made
the Collingwood Horse Shows the fantastic events they are. And now on to
many more! Follow our progress here online.
Sincerely,
History
THE COLLINGWOOD HORSE SHOWS
 What was once a small one-week venue has
developed into two separate events spanning a two-week period. The first
event is called the Collingwood Festival, the second, the Kubota
Collingwood Classic. Together they are known as The Collingwood Horse
Shows.
They have accomplished the rarity of becoming a permanent yearly affair
for the past twenty years, with 2007 being their twenty first year of
unstoppable success. Due to its sheer prestige, and the monetary value
offered to competitors, this twin spectacular attracts top equestrian
athletes, from across Canada and the US. It features nationally
televised Grand Prix competitions, a bustling trade fair called "The
Walk", as well as family entertainment sometimes including antique
shows,
Located at the foot of the beautiful Blue Mountains, the Collingwood
Horse Shows are only minutes away from downtown Collingwood with its
exceptional restaurants, hotels and other destination resort amenities.
Exhibitors, spectators and sponsors, can also take advantage of the
areas many recreational activities, some of which include golf, tennis,
hiking, mountain biking and sailing.
The success of the Collingwood Horse Shows is by and large due to the
substantial efforts and contributions of local volunteers, businesses,
community groups, the town of Collingwood itself, and a dedicated
management team who oversee every aspect and detail of the events.
Both local Government and business recognize the significant economic
impact that the Collingwood Horse Shows have on the area. It has been
estimated that the events generate a combined revenue of approximately
$10 million for the region during the two week period. The Collingwood
Horse Shows offer an impressive return on marketing and advertising
investment through extensive on-site and television exposure, augmented
by first class newspaper and magazine coverage.
Big changes are on their way in 2008 as the Collingwood Horse Shows move
to their new location, the
Thornbury Horse Park.
We hope to see you at the shows this year! |
