Equestrian Canada (better known as EC) is both Canada’s amateur athletic association and its national federation for equestrian sport.  We were formed from amalgamations, mergers and over time have evolved from the grassroots to a formalized, structured, and governed organization.

EC represents and advocates for tens of thousands of sports license holders and active horses both in and out of competition. Alongside our Provincial & Territorial Sport Organization partners, collaborators, donors, sponsors, and affiliate organizations, we play a pivotal role in the equestrian sector throughout the country.

Together with the community and our volunteers, we champion best practices, encourage participation and strive for excellence. We are collectively dedicated to fostering a love of horses and sport, for life.

Since 1977, through all of its iterations, EC has been the sport’s designated Amateur Athletic Association (RCAAA) with the responsibility to promote amateur equestrian athletics on a nation-wide basis.

Based on the government requirements for the role of an RCAAA, EC is required to: 

• regulate equestrian sport rules of competition; 
• promote the sport; 
• provide a training and certification program for coaches and judges; 
• operate a training program that brings promising athletes from the grass-roots level to national and international levels through various qualifying competitive events; 
• operate a national team to participate at international competitions; 
• sanction local, regional, provincial and national competitions; 
• oversee regional and provincial bodies involved in the sport; 
• act as a Canadian representative of an international federation controlling the sport (FEI); and 
• carry out fund-raising activities and re-distribution of funds. 

In its additional role as the national federation, EC is the only Canadian National Sport Organization (NSO) out of 66 that includes both human and animal athletes.  

Based on the government mandate for the role of an NSO, EC: 

• is responsible to sanction all national level competitions;  
• provide professional development for coaches and officials; 
• manage the High Performance Program revolving around the National Teams for all disciplines including coaching, hiring, team selection, and providing insurance; 
• administer proposals and support bids for international competitions in Canada; and 
• have a duty to oversee all that impacts our sport (which includes active equine welfare).