Wesley Clover Parks Celebrates Landmark 2025 Equestrian Season
November 3, 2025
WESLEY CLOVER PARKS — A four-season community hub for outdoor recreation • wesleycloverparks.com
The 2025 horse show season at Wesley Clover Parks wrapped up on September 28, marking the 11th year of the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments. From May through September, Wesley Clover Parks and its partners welcomed nearly 5,000 exhibitors across 15 competitions.
The season’s highlight was the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* CSI2* in August, which drew some of the world’s best, including four of the top 10 riders in the Longines World Rankings. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) delivered a rare double Grand Prix victory, winning the US $35,000 CSI2* Mark Motors Group Grand Prix before capturing the feature US $340,000 CSI5* RBC Grand Prix. The CSI5* Grand Prix offered the largest purse in Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments history and drew enthusiastic crowds.
Equestrian sport at Wesley Clover Parks extends far beyond the international arena. This summer, the Ian Millar School of Horsemanship hosted sold-out riding camps, offering young riders their first hands-on experience with horses. With its all-inclusive approach to horsemanship, the school builds the foundation for lifelong participation in the sport. This unique connection, from first rides to 5* competition, sets Wesley Clover Parks apart as one of the few places where the entire equestrian journey comes together.
In September, Wesley Clover Parks made history by hosting its first FEI Eventing competition, Eventing at The Parks CCI2*-S and CCI1*. With this milestone, Wesley Clover Parks became the only venue in Canada, and one of just three in North America, to host international competition in all three Olympic disciplines: show jumping, dressage, and eventing. At a time when established Eventing venues are dwindling, this investment cements Wesley Clover Parks’ role as a premier destination for the sport in Eastern Canada and beyond.
Another standout moment was the annual Spurs & Sparkles gala presented by RBC Royal Bank, held August 13 under Wesley Clover Parks’ 10,000 sq. ft. tent. More than 400 guests raised over $150,000 for the Queensway Carleton Hospital and Foundation, enjoying local food and beverages alongside the crowd-favourite Get Up & Gallop competition, won this year by Team RBC Royal Bank. Spurs & Sparkles has quickly become a marquee Ottawa summer event, with 2026 set to mark its 5th anniversary.
Community support continued on October 5 as Wesley Clover Parks hosted CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids, raising funds for CHEO’s largest-ever capital campaign and the construction of an Integrated Treatment Centre.
Beyond equestrian sport, Wesley Clover Parks continues to thrive as a four-season destination. Camping occupancy and revenue once again grew steadily, and Thanksgiving will close out another strong season. This winter, the 10th annual Magic of Lights Ottawa will transform the grounds into a beloved holiday drive-through tradition. Since its debut, Magic of Lights and Wesley Clover Parks have donated more than $300,000 to local charities, including the CHEO Foundation.
To learn more about our events, visit wesleycloverparks.com