questions on HJ scene in canada

[giftedsailor614]

Hello All!

I’m a new poster here, and had a few questions regarding the hunter jumper scene in Canada, as I have just taken a short term internship position there. I’m from the US and I’ve done a bit of research regarding shows and things but I was wondering how much different it is (if it is at all) from our system in the states. Also, being from the US, if I were to get a permanent job there, how hard of a process is it to attain a working permit to stay long term (not forever)? I was told in my internship search to broaden my horizons a bit and to look in Canada as the industry up there is booming now, especially in Calgary & BC. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, Thank You!!

[Night_Flight]

I can’t answer on the working permit front, but the Canadian hunter/jumper scene varies quite widely depending on where you go. The Toronto area is big for both hunters and jumpers, Calgary is more jumper-based (and of course you have Spruce Meadows there), BC and Quebec both have smaller but still strong hunter/jumper scenes, and the rest of the country tends towards smaller and/or lower-level circuits, as far as I am aware.

Do your research on cost of living, too. Calgary is a very expensive place to live, as are some parts of BC.

[giftedsailor614]

[QUOTE=Night Flight;8102710]
I can’t answer on the working permit front, but the Canadian hunter/jumper scene varies quite widely depending on where you go. The Toronto area is big for both hunters and jumpers, Calgary is more jumper-based (and of course you have Spruce Meadows there), BC and Quebec both have smaller but still strong hunter/jumper scenes, and the rest of the country tends towards smaller and/or lower-level circuits, as far as I am aware.

Do your research on cost of living, too. Calgary is a very expensive place to live, as are some parts of BC.[/QUOTE]

great thanks for your input!

[Across_Sicily]

The Toronto scene is where you’ll find a lot of the action. Yes Calgary has Spruce, but I think the trainer selection is somewhat better in the Toronto area. Definitely bigger for the hunters than Calgary, but you’ll find most of the Team jumper riders based around Toronto or in Europe, along with varying levels of quality trainers. The “B” scene is alive and well around Toronto as well; cannot speak for Calgary!

Toronto is expensive to live in as well. Canada didn’t get smacked when the housing markets exploded in the US and thus prices did not fall. But it’s a lovely area.

[Jealoushe]

Whereabouts will you be?

[Albertabound]

In Canada your are striving for the RED ribbons more so than the blue! :winkgrin:

[GoodTimes]

I would say that Southern Ontario (Palgrave) and the lower mainland of BC (Thunderbird) would be most similar to US shows. The Calgary area has h/j at RMSJ, and jumpers at Spruce, however “The Royal West” had fewer numbers then most “B” level shows in Ontario.
Not sure where you’ve taken a position, but I just moved to Alberta this year with my young hunter and am a little disappointed at the lack of shows compared to Ontario, on the plus side there is still good coaching and safe facilities.
Keep in mind the Pan Am games are in Toronto this summer, could be very cool to attend.

[cherham]

I would also say north of Toronto for the A hunter scene…sadly we have lost a few large A show venues the last few years but the new exciting Caledon Equestrian Park (host of the 2015 Pan Am games this year in July) should more then make up for it. A beautiful new indoor facility, apparently the largest floor space for horse showing in Canada! Can hardly wait.

[SpringADing]

Not sure what line of work you’re in but the economy is Alberta is definitely not booming anymore.

As for the horsey scene, Toronto area has the biggest circuit. Basically just echoing what others have said at this point! There are a few different circuit levels and plenty of barn options for all price points. Living in the Toronto area can be very pricey and the traffic is awful, but I love it

[CHT]

Just remember to review are drug rules before you show…they are stricter than in the US from what I understand.

Edmonton has a NEED for new coaches and facilities, but it is not the place to be if you want access to good show circuits…we really just have Whitemud and Amberlea for Gold shows, and a smattering of lower level shows.

Not sure how easy it is to get work up here doing what you want to do. The rules just got tougher, and it doesn’t sound like you are bringing in a skill set that isn’t able to be filled by a Canadian.

[giftedsailor614]

[QUOTE=Jealoushe;8103757]
Whereabouts will you be?[/QUOTE]

I’ll be in eastern Ontario near Ottawa.

Thanks everyone else for your input!

[Night_Flight]

The Ottawa area has a strong Silver hunter/jumper circuit, but they do have to travel for the Gold shows (either to Quebec for the closest ones or Toronto if they want a bigger circuit). There is one Gold show coming back this year to Wesley Clover Parks (formerly the Nepean National Equestrian Park) after a couple of years without any in the area.

The Trillium (Silver) circuit is pretty much entirely in the west end, so if you want to show on that circuit or board with one of those show barns, keep that in mind for your own housing location. Traffic can get nasty at certain times of day when trying to get from one end of the city to the other.