Gayle Ecker, Equine Industry Vision Award Winner for 2015

Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph, has been awarded the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award for 2015.

The award, presented at the American Horse Publication Tally-Ho at the Alamo Seminar in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, June 19, 2015, recognizes Ecker’s innovation, vision and commitment to the equine industry.

Sponsored by Zoetis, the award is intended not only to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity and service to the horse industry, but also to benefit the industry by inspiring these qualities in others.

“This award represents an amazing achievement for my dedicated staff who stay focused on the Equine Guelph vision of developing programs to support horse health and welfare for Canada and beyond,” says Ecker. “The recognition from our peers in the horse industry in North America is amazing to have and it is also thanks to the support from the Advisory Council members, our wonderful sponsors and donors, and the passionate volunteers who help us move forward with our vision. I would also like to thank the American Horse Publications Group and Zoetis for developing such an award to recognize achievements in the horse industry in North America and it is an honour to receive this on behalf of Equine Guelph.”

Equine Guelph, a not-for-profit Centre at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, serves the horse and its industry through education, research, healthcare promotion and industry development. Founded in 2003, Equine Guelph is supported and overseen by equine industry groups and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of horses.

Ecker received the distinction of being ‘short-listed’ for the Equine Industry Vision award from a record number of 25 nominees to one of four finalists. The other three finalists included: EQUUS Foundation, a charitable foundation providing financial support and services to equine charities across the United States; Jim McGarvey, Chairman of the Board, Back Country Horsemen of America; Juli S. Thorson, Editor-at-Large, Horse & Rider.

The AHP Board of Directors, plus a Zoetis representative, select the award winner based on their performance related to their achievements, and demonstration of key attributes, including vision, innovation, leadership, commitment, dedication and willingness to serve, original and effective ideas, services, and programs, as well as high professional standards.

The Equine Industry Vision award has been presented thirteen times since its inception in 2002 to top industry professionals and equine institutes. AHP director, Chris Brune says, “It represents that these individuals and organizations are being recognized for making a real difference in the horse world.”

Ecker has been with Equine Guelph since its inception, and played an instrumental role in its birth. She has dedicated her energies to advancing the equine industry through education and communications of research findings. Ecker and her team have been leaders in equine education, developing award-winning programs, including over 20 online courses supporting health and welfare, as well as courses in business development – all part of the Equine Studies Diploma. Another award-winning program, the popular “EquiMania!” has proven to be a favourite with youth and family. This interactive exhibit, promoting safety, welfare and career opportunities was a popular feature at the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Other feature programs include large animal technical rescue training, horse owner online tools, equine welfare assessment training, promotion of the new Equine Code of Practice and several other innovative programs.

Many congratulations go out to Ecker from her peers, supporters and the multitude of horse lovers that have been inspired, educated and motivated by her tireless efforts and contributions to the horse industry through her work with Equine Guelph.

Comments are closed for this blog post

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

First “made-in-Manitoba” confection sunflower hybrid now available to farmers

Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to announce that for the first time ever, a confection sunflower hybrid bred specifically for Manitoba growing conditions is now available to farmers. MCA 359 is the first commercialized variety produced by MCA’s confection sunflower breeding program. “Sunflowers are an integral part of Manitoba’s agricultural landscape and farmers need access to new genetics to ensure the crop remains a competitive option for their rotations,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “A confection sunflower hybrid designed to thrive in our climate and our soils is a made-in-Manitoba success story and a great example of the tangible return on investment MCA is providing to farmers for their check-off dollars.” MCA 359 is high yielding and early maturing, with excellent standability. It has resistance to downy mildew and rust and is 100 per cent tolerant to Express®, a Group 2 herbicide for broadleaf weed control. It also has many traits that are attractive to end-users

2025 Alberta Open Farm Days sets records

Alberta Open Farm Days is a provincewide initiative, inviting Alberta farms to open their gates to the public. Participants can explore a diverse range of farms and agricultural businesses while enjoying a free, hands-on educational experience. The program serves 2 key purposes: fostering a deeper public understanding of agriculture and strengthening trust in producers and the broader industry. In doing so, Open Farm Days also acts as an incubator for agri-tourism, offering farms valuable tools and opportunities to develop new ventures. “2025 was a record-setting year for Open Farm Days, in terms of both on-farm sales and attendance at farm visits and culinary events,” says Tim Carson, CEO, Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. “We welcomed 52,783 visitors this year, and several farms reported record attendance as well as record spending. As well, 23.5% of participating farms were new to Open Farm Days. It is exciting to see the number of new farms grow each year.” In addit

Illegal Outfitting Scheme Uncovered at Saskatchewan Game Farm

A Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service investigation has resulted in significant penalties against two individuals after officers uncovered unlawful outfitting activities and the possession of wild animals inside a domestic game farm near Briercrest, SK. In December 2023, Moose Jaw Conservation Officers received information that a wild moose had been harvested inside the Hartland Whitetails Ltd. game farm enclosure and that wild deer were being baited into the fenced area. Officers attended the site, identified owner Allen Morhart of Elbow, SK. The year and a half long investigation determined that three European clients attended the Hartland Whitetails Ltd. game farm from September 25, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Morhart outfitted one client without the required licence, leading to the unlawful harvest of a wild moose on September 27 and a wild mule deer on September 28. Both animals were later taken to a taxidermist, where investigators found a Saskatchewan resident moose lice

Olds College Students Find Success at Agribition Sheep Show

A newly formed Olds College Sheep Team is making its mark earning some early success showing at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Sask. The team’s strong debut was driven by a passionate Olds College of Agriculture & Technology student and supported by various faculty and staff at Olds College. Scott Anderson, a first year Agricultural Management diploma student, holds a background in the sheep industry – raising and showing sheep since he was seven. During his first sheep handling lab at Olds College, he was looking at the College’s flock with a keen judging eye and noticed great potential. Anderson approached Jay Steeves, Dean, Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, at the sheep handling lab about a possible opportunity to show some of the Olds College sheep. This conversation prompted Steeves and Darrell Hickman, Instructor, Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, to spearhead the Olds College Sheep Team. Hickman also chaperoned the team at Agribition, helping gui

Wheat Market Outlook - December 22, 2025

A Message from Exceed We are honoured to be able to bring you the global wheat market outlook each week. We are excited for what 2026 has in store and look forwards to bringing top quality data to readers and listeners each week. Next market report will be Jan. 5, 2026. Market Outlook - Wheat Cash markets in Saskatchewan pulled back at the start of last week on some weakness in futures, but as we enter the last few days of December, posted bids on stronger basis appear to be enticing grain into the system yet. This is showcasing relative strength for Canadian exportable wheat as the futures values have remained near their lows and with Minneapolis spring wheat setting new contract lows last week, prairie cash bids have remained relatively flat. Strong export demand continues to entice product in the system at current levels. Globally, the wheat balance sheet looks heavier than it did just a few months ago but much of the increase in stocks has been anticipated for several weeks alre

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service