Photo by Sunkist Media.
For over a decade, Wesley Clover Parks has been a staple of equestrian sport in Ottawa, Canada, but 2025 marks a pivotal era for the 500-acre facility as it officially steps onto the FEI eventing stage. This year, Wesley Clover Parks will host CCI1* and CCI2* competition, expanding its already impressive resume of international show jumping and dressage events, as well as nationally recognized eventing competition.
While the eventing community welcomes this new addition to the competition calendar, the story of Wesley Clover Parks runs far deeper than just another event venue. This is a facility with history, vision, and a long-term commitment to not only growing equestrian sport but also making it more accessible to the broader community.
From Community Staple to Equestrian Powerhouse
An aerial view of Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Randy Harquail.
Originally established in the 1960s, the park was developed by the National Capital Commission (NCC) and leased by a local municipality. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it flourished as a premier equestrian destination, hosting show jumping, dressage, and eventing competitions—including the well-known Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament.. However, as the decades passed, changing city structures and a lack of reinvestment led to the facility’s decline.
By the early 2000s, the park was losing money to the tune of a quarter-million per year, and its infrastructure—once a crown jewel in Canadian equestrian sport—was visibly aging. The city lacked the resources to maintain it, and its future looked uncertain.
That’s when the Wesley Clover Foundation, spearheaded by Karen Sparks, stepped in.
“We knew the park needed to be more than just an equestrian venue. It had to serve the entire community, not just the small percentage of people involved in horses,” Karen explains. “At the same time, we wanted to honor the equestrian legacy that made this place special.”
What followed was a complete transformation. Under new management, Wesley Clover Parks became a multi-sport outdoor hub, offering:
- Equestrian competitions (show jumping, dressage, and now FEI eventing)
- A riding school with beginner-friendly access to horses
- Cross-country ski trails & mountain biking
- Soccer fields & charity runs
- Outdoor education programs for kids
- Concerts & community events
Despite its diversification, equestrian sport remains at the heart of Wesley Clover Parks, and its eventing expansion is a direct reflection of that commitment.
A New Frontier: Eventing at Wesley Clover Parks
A competitor gallops through the newer water complex on course at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Golden Canon Photography.
With an established history in show jumping and dressage, adding FEI eventing to the roster was a logical next step.
“We’ve spent the last few years investing heavily in our cross country course,” says Karen. “We now have two water complexes, one designed by Tokyo Olympics course builder and U.S.-based designer Jay Hambly, along with ditches, banks, and solid galloping ground. We’re ready to take eventing to the next level here.”
Wesley Clover Parks will host its first FEI event this September, featuring CCI1* and CCI2* divisions.
But this is just the beginning. The long-term vision is to bring the North American Young Rider Championships (NAYC) back to a single venue that hosts all three disciplines—eventing, show jumping, and dressage—something that hasn’t been done in several years; most recently, the three disciplines were hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2015 but have since been split across multiple venues and time periods.
“We know it’s a long-term goal, but we’re laying the groundwork now,” Karen says. “If we can grow our eventing offerings steadily, we’ll be in a strong position to host major championships in the future.”
Investing in the Future: Young Horses and Young Riders
Photo by Golden Canon Photography.
Further to this is a cornerstone of Wesley Clover Parks’ core philosophies: supporting young horse and rider development.
For jumpers, the facility already offers free entries and prize money for young horse divisions, making it more affordable for breeders and trainers to bring young horses along. That same support structure is now being implemented for eventing, with a focus on:
- Divisions for all levels (from EV60 to FEI)
- Schooling opportunities throughout the season
- Scholarships and bursaries for developing riders funded by the Laframboise Family Legacy Donation
- Community engagement programs to introduce more people to eventing
“We want to create an environment where young horses and riders have a pathway to success, while also making equestrian sport more accessible,” Karen emphasizes.
The Road to September and Beyond
With its first major event set for September 2025, Wesley Clover Parks is officially entering the international eventing scene, and the team is eager to showcase everything the venue has to offer.
In the meantime, the park will continue working toward its bigger vision—one that balances high-level sport with community integration.
“This isn’t just about hosting another event. It’s about making eventing, and equestrian sport in general, more sustainable in Canada. That starts with building facilities that work not just for elite riders, but for the broader community as well.”
And if the past decade is any indication, Wesley Clover Parks is just getting started.
This article was supported by Wesley Clover Parks. To learn more about Wesley Clover Parks, click here.
