Wesley Clover Parks to Debut FEI Eventing
Wesley Clover Parks to Debut FEI Eventing with Eventing at The Parks CCI2* CCI1* Presented by Omega Alpha
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON – September 11, 2025
For the first time in its history, Wesley Clover Parks will host Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) level eventing as riders gather for the inaugural Eventing at The Parks CCI2* CCI1* presented by Omega Alpha, taking place from September 26 through 28.
The event will also feature the Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships, offering a year-end championship experience for qualifying riders from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador.
This milestone makes Wesley Clover Parks the only venue in Canada, and just one of three in North America, to host international competition across all three Olympic equestrian disciplines: jumping, dressage, and eventing. For many, this competition will serve as a stepping stone toward future international championships and a highlight of their 2025 season. Entries are open until September 19 through Event Entries.
“We’re thrilled to welcome FEI eventing to Wesley Clover Parks,” said Karen Sparks, Executive Director at Wesley Clover Parks. “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing world-class opportunities for athletes and to positioning Ottawa as a hub for equestrian sport.”
The weekend will showcase riders and horses competing across the three phases of eventing: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The cross-country course, designed by Jay Hambly, will debut a challenging yet fair track winding through the scenic grounds of Wesley Clover Parks. An FEI Level 3 designer, Hambly was a member of the cross-country course building team for the Tokyo Olympics.
The 2025 competition will also highlight the Laframboise Family Legacy Awards in memory of Mary Anne and Guy Laframboise that celebrate eventing and the people who shape it: Outstanding Adult Lifetime Contribution to Eventing in Canada, the Overall High Point Young Rider Award, and the Overall High Point Youth U18 Award. Wesley Clover Parks extends a heartfelt thank you to the Laframboise family for their generosity and lifelong dedication to eventing, in an area they have been deeply connected to for more than 50 years.
Schedule Highlights
Dressage & Show Jumping: Saturday, September 27
Cross-Country & Awards: Sunday, September 28
A Historic Course with a Modern Edge
Equestrian sport has been part of 401 Corkstown Road since 1974, when the municipally run Nepean National Equestrian Park first introduced horseback riding lessons, boarding, clinics, and competitions. The cross-country course that began here nearly fifty years ago was built using timber and natural materials harvested from the park itself and the neighbouring Ottawa Municipal Campground, now the Wesley Clover Parks Campground.
That spirit of innovation remains today. While the course now blends modern portable fences with original heritage obstacles, the foundations of the site are still visible, offering a living testament to the venue’s long-standing role in Canadian equestrian sport. Alongside one of the country’s last remaining international-level grass Grand Prix fields, Wesley Clover Parks continues to preserve its roots while embracing international standards.
The course at Wesley Clover Parks has been carefully developed to meet FEI specifications, ensuring a fair but demanding test for both horses and riders. It offers an excellent stepping stone for athletes aiming for international competition, while also providing an inviting challenge for grassroots and national competitors. Features include two ditch complexes, three bank complexes, and two water complexes.
“We’re building a true 2*” said Jay Hambly, course designer for Eventing at The Parks. Hambly will also serve as assistant course designer to Mark Phillips at the upcoming European Championships at Blenheim Palace, UK, just days before arriving in Ottawa.
This mix of old and new ensures that every gallop across the Wesley Clover Parks cross-country course carries with it a sense of history, while pushing the sport forward. With each new addition, the venue continues to build on its legacy - now taking its place on the international stage as Canada’s only triple-discipline FEI competition venue.
Visitor Information
Spectators are invited to attend and celebrate this exciting new chapter for Canadian eventing. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.ottawaequestriantournaments.com/spectators.
Media Contact:
Robyn Cyr – Press Officer
613-882-7491 | Robyn.Cyr@wesleycloverparks.com
Photos by Delaney Graham Photography from 2025 HealthiStraw Spring Horse Trials at Wesley Clover Parks.