Hundreds compete in Ottawa equestrian event
Hundreds of horses and riders are competing in the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments in Nepean.
The national show jumping event is taking place at Wesley Clover Parks from Thursday to Sunday.
The tournament is a chance for equestrian lovers to take in show jumping at all levels.
“It really is a fun, beautiful way to see these horses jumping,” said Karen Sparks, the executive director of Wesley Clover Parks.
After years of restrictions, spectators are also welcomed back to enjoy the experience, with the grand purse money cashing in at $50,000 on Saturday.
“The jumpers are everywhere from tiny juniors, who are six to seven years old, all the way to 70-plus,” Sparks said. “You see men and women competing equally and you see all beautiful colours of horses.”
Ten-time Olympian Ian Millar was at the event on Thursday and shared some words of advice for aspiring jumpers who want to also go onto the Olympics.
“If you really want to do this thing, you better love horses first of all, because it is a seven day a week thing, 365 days of the year,” said Millar. “You can never record it as a job, it’s not that, it’s a labour of love and you better learn everything there is to know about a horse,” he added.
Millar said competing in the sport also comes with a deep appreciation for the animals that make it happen.
“They’re our partner in this. Something happens to them, we don’t have a ride in the competition,” he said.
There are around 700 horses in Ottawa for the event and between 500-600 riders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.