Official Start to Horse Week 2007

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Official Start to Horse Week 2007 – Join in the Fun!

Ottawa , Ontario --- Equine Canada ’s Recreation Division, the Provincial Equestrian Federations and Official Spokesperson, 2006 World Equestrian Games Silver Medalist Team member Lance Griffin are pleased to announce that Horse Week officially begins tomorrow, Saturday, June 2.

Nationwide, horse lovers from all walks of the equine industry created and registered events to make for what promises to be an exciting week-long celebration of the horse from June 2 -10, 2007.

Among the many fantastic events taking place is the exciting "Open House" on June 3 at Blacks Equine Centre in Hannon, ON, where their Western Riding Club will be filming riding demonstrations, interviews with trainers and competitors, as well as highlights of the events for The Saddle Club Video Journals television program, to be broadcast on public television in the US. Inspired by The Saddle Club TV series, which is based on the popular books by Bonnie Bryant, The SC Video Journals were created for public television stations in the US , in order to celebrate an active lifestyle and promote equestrian sports and literacy.

Helping to close out Horse Week on June 9 and 10 is The Great Canadian Outdoor Expo in Woodstock, ON, which will for the first time include a Southwest Trillium Hunter/Jumper Show, giving spectators the chance to take in the action of a horse show, along with all that The Expo offers, including the Suzuki FMX Team, Red Flannel Retriever Challenge, Paintball Flagswipe Tournament and Toyota Canada ‘Test Track’.

Winnipeg , MB residents will have the opportunity to participate in a very special Horse Week event on June 9-10 at the Bird’s Eye Provincial Park , which will play host to the annual Captain John de Kenyeres Memorial Dressage Show. Created to honour and remember this Hungarian-born World War II hero and prisoner of war survivor, the Dressage show includes classes spanning from the beginner to international levels.

“The friends that you gain through horses are truly the type that you want to keep forever,” commented Spokesperson Lance Griffin, who is based in De Winton, AB. “Because of this reason, and more, I encourage you to support Horse Week 2007.”

Visit http://equinecanada.ca/Recreation/ABOUT/horseweek.html for a full list of 2007 Horse Week Events. While visiting the site, horse lovers 18 years of age and under are encouraged to enter the Horse Week ‘Kids Contest’ for the chance to win great prizes from Miss Filly – www.missfilly.com, and Kemptville Feed & Seed - www.ontariohorseman.com and Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies – www.greenhawk.net . Featuring the categories of Poems, Essays, Artwork and Miscellaneous (which can include anything from illustrated stories to sculptures), this is the chance to create something special around the theme of ‘A Horse of Course’. The deadline for entries is June 18, with the winners to be announced June 22.

Participants across the country are encouraged to bring a camera along to Horse Week events, snap pictures and send to horseweek@equinecanada.ca for inclusion in the Horse Week 2007 Photo Gallery.

Held annually to promote and celebrate Canada ’s thriving horse industry, Horse Week appeals to both horse enthusiasts and the public alike. Featuring a wide range of activities held across the country, including trail rides, equine showcases, charity events, RCMP musical rides and competitions of all kinds, Horse Week has been growing steadily since its inception in 2002.

Equine Canada would like to thank the 2007 Horse Week Platinum sponsors SSG Riding Gloves, and the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division, as well as Gold Sponsors, Oster Professional Products and Wyeth Animal Heath.

Visit www.equinecanada.ca for more information.

To contact us: donna@AtlanticRider.com