By Jennifer Ward, Jump Media

Toronto, Ontario – The Royal Horse Show will once again showcase the unique partnership of the horse as it returns from November 3 to 12, 2023, as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in downtown Toronto, ON. 

While show jumping is the traditional highlight of the Royal Horse Show, many other special features make it unlike any other equestrian event in the world. Polo will join the schedule on Wednesday evening, November 7, when Polo at The Royal will be featured in the Coca-Cola Coliseum prior to the McKee International Jumper Challenge. 

Royal fans will be thrilled with the return of Guy McLean, last seen in Toronto in 2018. The popular Australian horseman, entertainer, and bush poet will be performing amazing feats with his team of liberty horses during select performances throughout the duration of the 10-day Royal Horse Show. 

The heart-pounding Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge attracts the best in the world, including two-time Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany, shown competing at the 2022 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON

Canadian champions will be crowned as The Royal once again hosts the Equestrian Canada National Championships for hunter, equitation, and jumper divisions, including the Under 25 and 1.40m and 1.30m Junior/Amateur show jumping divisions. Opening weekend of the Royal Horse Show will feature the Canadian Show Jumping Championship, presented by Henry Equestrian, over two nights of competition alongside the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge. The Canadian Hunter Derby Series will culminate over two days on November 5 and 6 while the Jump Canada Medal Final and prestigious CET Medal Final will crown the nation’s top equitation competitors on November 7 and 9, respectively. 

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto riding Legacy to close out the 2022 Royal Horse Show. Photo: Ben Radvanyi Photography

As always, The Royal will continue to showcase international show jumping competition in front of a packed house. Offering more than $1 million in prize money, the Royal Horse Show comes to a crescendo on closing night, November 11, with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto. Considered the crown jewel of the North American Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ League, The Royal was recently awarded a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ competition for another four years, ensuring its inclusion at The Royal through to the 2027/2028 World Cup qualifying season. 

Canadian horse sport breeding will be showcased with the Governor General’s Cup for three-year-old horses shown in-hand and the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup for three-year-olds shown under-saddle on Saturday morning, November 11. Ponies have been added to the line-up with the newly introduced Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Pony Cup, featuring in-hand and under-saddle sections taking place in the Coca-Cola Coliseum. 

Ali Ramsay of Victoria, BC, claimed her first Canadian Show Jumping Championship title at the 2022 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Photo: Ben Radvanyi Photography

Spectators will also have an opportunity to cheer for their favourites in the Battle of the Breeds. Various breeds will go head-to-head demonstrating their many qualities during the evening performances on November 9, 10, and 11. 

With everything from high-stepping Hackneys and heavy horse hitches to the splendor of the Green Meadows Coaching classes, the Royal Horse Show truly offers something for every horse lover. 

The Royal offers numerous hospitality experiences that sell out quickly due to their popularity. The Royal Terrace will be available for VIP and corporate hosting while the Coliseum’s Sky Suites offer stables and groups their own private suites. The Tanbark Club will continue to be open to Gold and Platinum VIP ticket holders. Hospitality options are now on sale with returning clients being given the right of first refusal. Contact groups@royalfair.org or HSvip@royalfair.org for full details. 

For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including daily schedules and to purchase tickets, visit 2023 Royal Horse Show.  

Main Photo: Popular Australian liberty horseman Guy McLean will make his long-awaited return to the 2023 Royal Horse Show with daily performances throughout the 10-day event. Photo courtesy of Guy McLean