The gap between amateur and professional competitors is common in Canadian sports. Weekend skiers have significantly less skills than athletes on Canada’s ski team. Amateur hockey players don’t make Canada’s Olympic team. It’s the same in horse sports. Tiers of riders have developed as equestrian sports have become more technical. Upper-level horse sports are primarily the purview of professional and elite riders while amateurs play at lower levels.

The world mourned the loss of Britain's longest-reining monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, when she passed away in September 2022. Her death ushered in a new era for the monarch. Her son, Prince Charles, ascended to the throne, the words to Canada's Royal Anthem were adapted to include "God Save the King," and it is likely that, in time, King Charles III’s image will replace that of Queen Elizabeth II on Canadian currency. Despite these changes, Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong devotion to horses and her profound influence on the world of equestrianism will remain a lasting part of her remarkable legacy.

Helping others live their horse-filled dreams - “I do everything I can to make sure that anybody that has a dream or a wish to be around horses gets that opportunity,” — Brian Tropea.

He was just a little guy when he was born on May 27, 1961 at business tycoon E.P. Taylor’s Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario. In fact, when Taylor put the 14.2 hand unruly Thoroughbred colt in the yearling sale the following year, he didn’t even fetch the $25,000 reserve due to his small size. It was the best sales failure Taylor ever had, but at the time he had no idea what his colt, Northern Dancer, had in store for him.