A thriving equine industry in Dufferin builds opportunity.

Dufferin’s wide open spaces, excellent drainage and plentiful talent have built us a reputation as horse country. The area hosts almost 8000 horses spanning all breeds, disciplines and amateur and professional enthusiasts. Some of these horses are put to work in shows, races or driving cattle, but many of them live their lives as pampered members of a family. Dufferin and the surrounding areas have recognized the value of this sector and the many businesses it supports. These thriving businesses inject millions into our economy every year and are set to grow with amenable land use policies and the pending arrival of the equine portion of the Toronto 2015 Pan AM Games in our neighbouring region of Caledon. Our equine sector includes top class veterinarians, farriers and feed companies as well as world renowned coaches, trainers and riders.

Dufferin is part of Headwaters Horse Country

Dufferin County is in the heart of Headwaters Horse Country and is poised to take advantage of the economic opportunities. With the Toronto 2015 Pan AM Games equestrian competitions coming to this region, the time is right to get involved in supporting the equine industry. Dufferin Board of Trade is a standing partner on the Headwaters Equine Leadership Group (HELG), spearheaded by the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association in collaboration with the Town of Caledon, the Township of King and industry stakeholders. HELG has branded the region as Headwaters Horse Country and is working to promote the equine amenities throughout the region and beyond. The vision of HELG is to develop the Headwaters region into a centre of equine excellence, a lofty goal, but in many ways Headwaters already is a centre of excellence. It is the time to tell the world about it.

Throughout the hills of Dufferin County (including Orangeville, Mono, Melancthon, Mulmur, Amaranth, East Garafraxa, Grand Valley and Shelburne) you will find some of the country’s premier horse breeding farms, coaching and training facilities, riding schools, boarding stables, equestrian ranches, suppliers (including farriers, veterinarians, feed, bedding and tack shops) and a wide range of equestrian events.

For more information on HELG’s activities visit the Headwaters Horse Country website here or review HELG’s recently released Economic Impact Report below.

One Family’s Business

The Hayes family have been in the horse industry for decades delivering horse shows in Collingwood and Ottawa since 1987, and are coming home to Dufferin County this year to offer the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournament at the Orangeville Agricultural Event Centre. This world-class show will bring the world to see what excellent facilities we have here in Dufferin. Read their story here…

World Class performances in Headwaters Horse Country

Ross Millar, a local whose heart is in the horse world is the organizer of the well-known events; the Dodge RAM Rodeo series and the annual Can AM All Breed Emporium. In 2013, Ross delivered the largest Can Am show yet with approximately 15,000 visitors in its new location at the Orangeville Agricultural Event Centre. Read about the highlights of the show here.

Read more about Ross and the rodeo here.

Five minutes out of Rosemont sits a property that captures the modesty and magic of Headwaters; horses standing stoic in their pasture, dogs bounding in the yard under a wide, clear sky and chickens cooped up against the winter cold. This is part of everyday life for Little Creek Ranch owner Elaine Capes, whose dream is to one day give international travellers a taste of the countryside. Read full story –>>