Shows – Maplewood

Our Competitive Philosophy

Ribbons and prizes are nice, but “winning” shouldn’t be the goal of the day. When you really look at how the day will work, there will only be one red ribbon for each class. And there can be quite a few people in each class! So, how can we define success differently for the competition day so that we can ALL be successful, even if only one person gets a red ribbon? Success can be:

Doing one’s best and finding good habits and strategies for managing the nerves that come up on a show day

Completing a dressage test that you’ve been working hard to prepare, or navigating a hunter course to the best of your ability

Developing a stronger relationship between yourself and your equine athlete

Listening to feedback from your coach and improving from one class to the next

Enjoying the spirit involved in being part of a team, and cheering on your fellow team-mates and competitors

Let’s celebrate all the hard work, preparations, and successes - regardless of the colour or number of ribbons received. You are ALL champions to Maplewood!

In-House Show Series

In-house schooling shows are schooling level competitions designed for those looking to get into the spirit of competition without all of the stresses and financial commitments of competing away from Maplewood. The primary goals of schooling shows is to have an opportunity for demonstrating what you have been working on in your lessons in a semi-formal environment. Participants receive feedback from the coaches regarding your performances on the day and you’re provided with opportunities to compete in a fun atmosphere with friends and peers. Schooling level competitions are inviting for horse and rider and will feature classes is both dressage and hunter. Participants will need a competition outfit and a limited amount of equipment and do not need to be members of the Show Team. The In-House Series is the most economical option for competing while still providing an opportunity to compete for ribbons, prizes, and year-end awards.

Dates for 2026:

Show #1 - May 17

Show #2 - August 30

Show #3 - Sept 20

Show #4 - TBD

Requirements to compete in the In-House Show Series:

One weekly lesson at Maplewood

Approval from your coach

2026 Prize List - coming soon

2026 Entry Form (for Maplewood Boarders and Students only!) - coming soon

Show Schedule - TBD

Win & Wine!

The Win & Wine Competitions are for adults only! Enjoy an evening of fun competition by tailoring each class to your own level! For example, you pick your own dressage test, select whether you want w/t or w/t/c for a group equitation class, and select the height that you wish to jump (or not at all!). And then there is a surprise fun class to test your ability to complete a task such as a trot pole poker run, or following the judge's instructions without dropping the fake money tucked under your elbows and thighs, etc.! And, of course, make sure to have a designated driver in order to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the night! The winner of the show walks away with a bottle of wine while all who place go home with the fanciest ribbons in the Ottawa area!

2026 Win & Wine Prize List - coming soon

2026 Entry Form - coming soon

Show Schedule - TBD

Challenge Show Series

We are happy to offer the Challenge Series again this year! Two shows are hosted at Maplewood, three shows are hosted at Riverview and this year we are happy to welcome Rustic Rose as a host for one show as well! Classes are held in both dressage and hunter and provide opportunities for newcomers through to advanced riders to participate and receive feedback from the judges. Points accumulate over the series for year-end awards at the last show.

Dates for 2026:

Show #1 - May 17 at Maplewood

Show #2 - June 21 at Riverview

Show #3 - July 26 at Riverview

Show #4 - August 30 at Maplewood

Show #5 - September 20 at Maplewood

Show #6 - Oct 4 at Riverview

2026 Challenge Prize List for Maplewood - Click here!

2026 Registration form - Click here!

May 17 Challenge Show Schedule - TBD

Aug 30 Challenge Show Schedule - TBD

Sept 20 Challenge Show Schedule - TBD

Requirements for Maplewood students to compete in the Challenge Series:

One lesson per week in the Competitive lesson program (2 lessons per week during the show season are recommended)

A quarter lease is recommended for the prep season (but not mandatory)

Compete in, or volunteer at, at least one Maplewood In-House Show

Volunteer to groom for the Show Team at a minimum of 2 OVPSC/Trillium or Silver Dressage shows

Participate in at least one Maplewood clinic

Ontario Equestrian membership

OADG membership

OVPSC/Trillium Shows

Bronze level competitions are sanctioned schooling level competitions at the regional level that allow competitors to begin to specialize within a discipline while still keeping the main focus on education and learning with results as a secondary focus. Bronze level competition series offered to our show team are OVPSC hunter shows. In bronze competitions, year end results will be based off of results from all of Ottawa. Silver level competitions are sanctioned competitions at the provincial level that allow competitors to further their specialization within a discipline. Silver level competition series offered to our show team are THJA hunter shows. In silver competitions year end results will be based off of results from all of Ottawa and all of Ontario, there is also a potential to qualify for the championship competition which is typically based in Toronto. Maplewood school horses will compete at the Bronze hunter shows, but to compete at the Silver hunter shows, competitors will need to own their own horse or have a full lease.

Requirements for Maplewood students to compete in the Bronze hunter shows:

2 lessons per week in the Competitive lesson program during the competition season. (A Half lease is recommended, but not mandatory).

A quarter lease or half lease is recommended (but not mandatory) for the prep season.

Compete in, or volunteer at, at least two Maplewood In-House Shows

Volunteer to be a groom/coach's assistant for the Show Team at a minimum of 2 Challenge Series shows

Participate in at least 2 Maplewood hunter clinics

Memberships in: Ontario Equestrian, Equestrian Canada (Bronze Sports License)

Silver/Gold Dressage

Silver level competitions are sanctioned competitions at the provincial level that allow competitors to further their specialization within a discipline. Silver level competition series offered to our show team Silver Dressage, organized through OADG. In silver competitions year end results will be based off of results from all of Ottawa and all of Ontario. There is also a potential to qualify for the championship competition at the end of the season. Gold level competitions are sanctioned competitions at the national level. In Gold competitions year end results will be based off of results from all of Ottawa, Ontario and Canada. Gold level competition series offered to our show team are Gold Level Dressage. There is a potential to qualify for the championship competition which is typically based in Toronto. Maplewood school horses will compete at the Silver dressage shows, but to compete at the Gold dressage shows, competitors will need to own their own horse or have a full lease.

Requirements for Maplewood students to compete in the Silver dressage shows:

2 lessons per week in the Competitive lesson program during the competition season. (A Half lease is recommended, but not mandatory).

A quarter lease or half lease is recommended (but not mandatory) for the prep season.

Compete in, or volunteer at, at least two Maplewood In-House Shows

Volunteer to be a groom/coach's assistant for the Show Team at a minimum of 2 Challenge Series shows

Participate in at least 2 Maplewood dressage clinics

Memberships in: Ontario Equestrian, Equestrian Canada (Silver Sports License), OADG, CADORA Ontario

If you're a Maplewood student or boarder and want to travel off-property to do some schooling, the link to book this is:

Off-Property Schooling

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Prize Sponsor

We are proud to have our dressage competitors as members of the OADG for the Challenge Series in order to accumulate points towards the year-end awards for the Schooling Show awards with OADG. OADG has also generously sponsored prizes for the Challenge Series!

Prize Sponsor

We are grateful for the prizes sponsored by Greenhawk Equestrian Sport for both the Challenge Series and the In-house Show Series. Our Champion and Reserve Champions from each of these shows are grateful for the prizes received! It's definitely worth the drive to Kanata to shop there!

Prize Sponsor

We are lucky to have such a great equestrian store in the east end of Ottawa who provides support for our competitors in the Challenge Series and the In-house Show Series by supplying wonderful prizes for our Champions and Reserve Champions!

Prize Sponsor

Mama Maplewood is a creator of custom equestrian products and happily donates her time and energy to creating custom embroidered products and other items for the Champions and Reserve Champions of the Challenge Series and In-House Show Series!

Trophy, Prize, and Jump Sponsor

Russell Equine is our "house vet" and they take care of all of the Maplewood school horses, which is why these amazing horses are able to do all that they do! Russell Equine is also a generous supporter of our In-House Show Series by sponsoring one of the year-end trophies! Russell Equine has also sponsored a jump in 2023, which you should see built and in the grass ring as soon as we can complete it!

Canadian Tire - Rockland

Trophy Sponsor

Shop in-store or online for pickup! With everything you need for getting set up for a horse show: portable tents, coolers, wagons for carrying all the tack and equipment, comfortable outdoor chairs, and, of course, the big rolling tool chest that we all use for a tack trunk! A big thank you to the Canadian Tire in Rockland for sponsoring one of the year-end trophies!

Trophy Sponsor

Fireplaces, kitchen design and install, and BBQs are their specialties, and they are a great local company! We are also very grateful to have Romantic Fireplaces sponsoring one of the year-end trophies for our In-house Show Series!

Trophy Sponsor

One lucky year-end award winner is able to have their name added to one of the trophies for the In-house Show Series which is sponsored by Power Law. It is wonderful to have another local company supporting the activities of equestrian athletes at Maplewood!

Jump Sponsor

Plantagenet Physio and Cumberland Physio have sponsored a jump for 2023. Keep watch for the new jump to be built and set up in the grass ring! And for those equestrians who may need to get a little physio, feel free to check out the services in either location!

Click Here!