When Canadians compete

Interesting snapshot of the horse industry in Canada (research was done in 1998; don’t know how it might have changed in the meantime). Of the 64% of those surveyed in the random sample who are involved in competition with the horses that they ride or drive, approximately 60% compete in more than one discipline. When asked “In which discipline do you MOSTLY compete, please choose ONE”, here’s how people responded:

Hunter-jumper/Show jumping	25.78%
Dressage	18.70%
Other (not included in list)	13.88%
Western pleasure	9.07%
Barrel racing/Pole bending	6.52%
Team cattle penning	3.68%
Breed-specific competitions	3.40%
Reining	3.12%
Driving	2.55%
Rodeo	1.7%
Halter/Line classes	0.85%
Competitive trail riding	0.85%
Endurance riding	0.57%
Roping	0.57%
Saddleseat	0.57%
Polo	0.28%

Source: Equine Canada

Breakdown by province:

British Columbia:

1. Dressage
2. Hunter-jumper
3. Western pleasure
4. Eventing
5. Other

Alberta:

1. Other
2. Western pleasure
3. Hunter-jumper
4. Reining
5. Team cattle penning

Saskatchewan:

1. Western pleasure
2. Other
3. Hunter-jumper
4. (tie) Barrel racing/Halter/Dressage

Manitoba:

1. Western pleasure
2. Other
3. Hunter-jumper
4. (tie) Barrel racing/Halter/Dressage

Ontario:

1. Hunter-jumper
2. Dressage
3. Eventing
4. Western pleasure
5. Driving

Quebec:

1. Other (gymkhana)
2. (tie) Western pleasure/Hunter-jumper
3. Dressage
4. Barrel racing

New Brunswick:

1. Dressage
2. Hunter-jumper
3. Western pleasure
4. Eventing
5. Driving

Prince Edward Island:

1. Western pleasure
2. Halter
3. Reining
4. (tie) Competitive trail/Hunter-jumper

Nova Scotia:

1. Hunter-jumper
2. Dressage
3. Eventing
4. Western pleasure
5. Other

Newfoundland and Labrador:

1. Western pleasure
2. Other (gymkhana)
3. (tie) Hunter-jumper/Dressage
4. Barrel racing

No idea what “Other” usually means, or why it was identified as “Gymkhana” in two provinces when it wasn’t specified elsewhere.

Source: Equine Canada