Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON, will be the equestrian venue for the 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games. Photo by Cealy Tetley

November 14, 2009 – Palgrave, Ontario – Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON, will be the equestrian venue for the 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games.

On Friday, November 6, the 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games were awarded to Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe Region. The Caledon Equestrian Park’s reputation for hosting world-class equestrian competition secured its position as the equestrian venue in the bid process. All equestrian events will be held at Caledon Equestrian Park with only the cross-country portion of eventing being held off-site at nearby Will O’Wind Farm.

Equestrian Management Group (EMG), which hosts 16 equestrian events of various disciplines annually at the Caledon Equestrian Park, and its partners, the Town of Caledon and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), were heavily involved in the bid process.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the 2015 Pan American Games,” said Craig Collins, Managing Partner of EMG. “We are very fortunate to be included in this wonderful opportunity for all Pan Am sports to be showcased in Toronto and the surrounding area. Congratulations to the Bid Committee, which did a fantastic job of securing the Games for Toronto.”

The 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games will have a huge economic impact on Toronto and the surrounding area, including Caledon. Provincially, it is estimated that the Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games will stimulate $2 billion in economic activity, create 17,000 jobs, and bring more than 5,000 athletes and 250,000 tourists to Ontario.

“Hosting the equestrian events of the 2015 Pan American Games will leave Caledon with a legacy of a world-class facility built on public lands,” noted Town of Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison. “Our participation in the Games will also bring economic benefits to the area as well as contribute to the long-term viability of the provincial initiative to create the Greenbelt.

“Caledon has a strong reputation in the equestrian community, and we are honoured and thrilled to be hosting the equestrian events for the Games,” Mayor Morrison added.

An organizing committee will be formed over the next few months to continue the process of planning the 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games.

“We are excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, and we look forward to the plans that the organizing committee will put in place in the coming months,” said Collins. “The awarding of the equestrian events to the Caledon Equestrian Park provides a wonderful and lasting opportunity for horse enthusiasts and competitors alike as we are situated in the middle of the most densely populated horse community in the country. We are anxiously awaiting new developments, and eagerly embrace the opportunity to welcome the world to the Caledon Equestrian Park.”

Since 1986, EMG has operated Caledon Equestrian Park in partnership with the Town of Caledon and the TCRA. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment, numerous Olympic, World Championship and Pan American Games selection trials for Canada’s show jumping and dressage teams have been held at Caledon Equestrian Park.

For more information on equestrian events produced by EMG, please visit www.equiman.com.