Horse Journals |

Canadian Sport Horse Cilroy ridden by John Rumble at the 1956 Olympic Games, where Canada won team bronze in three-day eventing.

Breeding Excellence: 100 Years of Canadian Sport Horses

The Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA), the oldest performance horse registry in North America, is celebrating 100 years of breeding excellence in 2026. Founded in 1926, the association has played an important role in shaping Canadian sport horse breeding and producing generations of successful performance horses. Tania Millen explores the organization's remarkable history, the breeders and horses behind its success, and the legacy it continues to build for Canada's equestrian industry.

Canadian Sport Horse Cilroy, ridden by John Rumble at the 1956 Olympics, where Canada won team bronze in three-day eventing.

22 Exceptional Canadian Sport Horses: Cilroy to Hickstead

Some of North America’s top sport horses are the result of 100 years of matchmaking by Canadian Sport Horse Association breeders. From Olympic medal winners to champion hunters, show jumpers, eventers, and influential breeding stallions, these exceptional horses have made their mark on equestrian sport in Canada and internationally. Tania Millen highlights 22 remarkable horses whose achievements reflect the association's 100-year history.

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Horses: To Breed or Not to Breed?

Navigating the Mare Owner's Dilemma - So, you’re contemplating breeding your mare. As a seasoned breeder of top-notch warmbloods and the owner of Hyperion Stud, LLC, Vicky Castegren knows all about that decision.

Canadian Olympic show jumper Amy Millar teaching riders at the CSHA centennial show jumping clinic in De Winton, Alberta, June 2026.

Amy Millar's Show Jumping Training Tips: Building Better Horses

“The goal is a horse that jumps consistently well because it has been shown the correct way every time,” says Canadian Olympic show jumper Amy Millar. At a special clinic celebrating the Canadian Sport Horse Association's 100th anniversary, Millar shared valuable training insights with riders in Alberta. From building a strong foundation and improving rhythm and balance to allowing horses to learn from their mistakes, Tania Millen explores Millar's practical advice for developing confident, consistent show jumping horses.

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No Hills? No Problem: Horse Conditioning Without Hills

Finding Alternatives for the Conditioning Goal - Many riders worry that their lack of access to hills means their horses will miss important conditioning benefits. But before charging up hills, or fretting about their absence, riders should first consider the specific gains they were hoping to make. A horse recovering from injury, for instance, will use and benefit from hills differently than a moderately fit horse aiming to improve stamina or performance. After specific goals are identified, relevant substitutions can be explored. Whether you need hills depends on what you hope to achieve.