Caledon Equestrian Park Named Host Venue for 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto
13 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Caledon Equestrian Park Named Host Venue for 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto
PALGRAVE, Ontario, May 19–Caledon Equestrian Park was the first sport venue to be named for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games in a groundbreaking ceremony as the official venue for the three equestrian sports of dressage, eventing and jumping.
Major improvements including a new main stadium building, permanent spectator seating areas, stabling, a new grand prix arena and warmup arenas and a new indoor arena were pledged by governments to be built for the Pan Ams held once every four years as the world’s second largest sporting event after the Olympics.
For dressage, the 2015 Games could be a watershed event as they are intended to be the qualifying event for the Olympics as they have in the past, but for the first time at Grand Prix instead of small tour as has been the case to date. The 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
The announcement of the equestrian venue was held during the Caledon National show jumping tournament.
“After years of preparation and planning, we are honored not only to have Caledon Equestrian Park named as the official host of equestrian sport for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, but to also be selected as the very first sport venue announced by the TO2015 Organizing Committee,” said Craig Collins of Equestrian Management Group, a funding partner and the operating group of Caledon Equestrian Park.
“To make the announcement in front of hundreds of our competitors, whether they are children on ponies or junior riders with international aspirations, really underlines the legacy that hosting the Pan Am events will create for the future of our sport.”
Mike Gallagher, Equine Canada president, said that the investment in Caledon Equestrian Park ensures “an accessible public legacy for the region to develop and train elite athletes and recreational riders for decades to come.”
Caledon Equestrian Park is a municipally-owned facility that will host dressage and show jumping competitions during the Games, as well as the dressage and show jumping portions of the three-day eventing competition. A nearby venue in Orangeville is currently under review for the cross-country portion of the eventing competition.
The facility attracts more equestrian athletes annually than any other competition venue in Ontario. It has hosted four Pan Am selection trials, two Olympic selection trials, 15 World Cup qualifying events, and more than 150 Grand Prix.
