Skip to Main Content

A Quick Horse Care Tip

  • Horses are all natural, where possible use all natural fibres when putting a blanket on, or even your saddle pad.
    ~Crochet Do Dads
Chillin With Peeps Wows Ajax Downs Crowd

Chillin With Peeps Wows Ajax Downs Crowd

AJAX DOWNS, JULY 2, 2026 - On hot and sunny Canada Day at Ajax Downs, racing fans of all ages packed the track to enjoy a superb card of Quarter Horse racing, helping produce an all-time wagering record in the track's history. Over $420,000 was wagered on the eight-race card, besting the previous record from opening day by 50 percent.

Read more

Ajax Downs - Oh Canada! Ajax Downs July 1

Ajax Downs - Oh Canada! Ajax Downs July 1

AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 30 2026 - Celebrate Canada Day this Wednesday, July 1 at Ajax Downs for an exciting card of Quarter Horse racing including the $59,310 Ontario Bred Derby for 3-year-olds at 300 yards. Racing fans will also have a chance to say 'Happy Retirement" to the richest Ontario Bred Quarter Horse, HAD TO BE IVORY, who is hanging up his racing shoes at the age of 11. 

Read more

From the Trainer's Eye - Horse Illness

From the Trainer's Eye - Horse Illness

Jen: One of the most frustrating things that can happen to a competitor is having their horse become injured or sick just before, or right in the middle of, show season.

Read more

Must-see Western events take over the Nutrien Western Event Centre at the 2026 Calgary Stampede

Must-see Western events take over the Nutrien Western Event Centre at the 2026 Calgary Stampede

CALGARY, AB (June 26, 2026) — From thunderous heavy horses and elite stock dogs to sliding stops, fast-paced cattle penning and world-class roping, agriculture and Western events take centre stage at the 2026 Calgary Stampede.

Read more

Ontario's Horse Industry Newspaper

The Rider is Ontario's number one source for horse industry news and information both in print and online. 

The newspaper is in its 51st year of publication. The Rider has special English, Western, Quarter Horse and general sections having many columns written by industry leaders, a comprehensive coming events section, stable, stallion, and service directories, real estate ads and classifieds. The Rider covers all English and Western disciplines as well as Quarter Horse Racing, Driving and various other breeds and disciplines. The Rider is distributed through subscription, through the memberships of our official association partners and through almost 300 tack and feed stores. The Rider is also available as a digital edition. 

The Rider is a six time recipient of the Ontario Equestrian Federation Media of the Year award. Editor and Publisher, Barry Finn is the Past-president of the Independent Publishers Association of Ontario.

Our dedicated advertisers and faithful readers have kept the paper going strong for 51 years. We're looking forward to keeping you informed for many more years to come. We welcome your press releases and news. 

Advertise with us

News, Updates & Articles

The Rider: Ontario Horse Industry News

Chillin With Peeps Wows Ajax Downs Crowd

Chillin With Peeps Wows Ajax Downs Crowd

Posted in Equestrian News, Home Page articles, horse-racing

AJAX DOWNS, JULY 2, 2026 - On hot and sunny Canada Day at Ajax Downs, racing fans of all ages packed the track to enjoy a superb card of Quarter Horse racing, helping produce an all-time wagering record in the track's history. Over $420,000 was wagered on the eight-race card, besting the previous record from opening day by 50 percent.

Read more

Ajax Downs - Oh Canada! Ajax Downs July 1

Ajax Downs - Oh Canada! Ajax Downs July 1

Posted in Equestrian News, Home Page articles, horse-racing

AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 30 2026 - Celebrate Canada Day this Wednesday, July 1 at Ajax Downs for an exciting card of Quarter Horse racing including the $59,310 Ontario Bred Derby for 3-year-olds at 300 yards. Racing fans will also have a chance to say 'Happy Retirement" to the richest Ontario Bred Quarter Horse, HAD TO BE IVORY, who is hanging up his racing shoes at the age of 11. 

Read more


View All Posts

Sign Up For Our Digital Edition

Take The Rider With You Everywhere.

Get Our Digital Edition

905.387.1900 Contact