09/25/2025
A Farewell Announcement from SOCTA Organizers
The Southern Ontario Combined Training Association (SOCTA) a staple, summer series in southern Ontario, is coming to the end of an era after 16 years of successfully running combined tests and horse trials! The show’s organizers have enjoyed the camaraderie and the opportunity for local equestrians to enjoy the low cost, low stress environment that we have been able to provide and we are so proud of our accomplishments!
The organizers - Sprucehaven Farm, Highland Green, Foxcroft Equestrian and previous organizers Twisted Pine, Warwick Equestrian, Hamilton Hunt, Bronte Creek and Cidermill Stables, enjoyed the chance to help riders fall in love with eventing by providing welcoming facilities to gain more experience and grow their skills. This was the purpose of the series - to get the grass roots involved.
Many riders, horses and coaches have been involved over the years, the nervous rider at their first show, the green horse jumping their first jump in competition, the trainer wanting to bring their young protégés to their first off property experience; everyone had fun and it was a great way to get involved and compete. Many of the local riders from Southern Ontario have used SOCTA as their stepping stone in their equestrian career… A lot got their start showing in the lower levels and then went on to become experienced trainers, riders and coaches. The series was also instrumental in the development of the horses, one for example, the amazing little mare, “A Little Romance” started competing at SOCTA and went on to compete at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
We would like to thank the hosts, coaches, sponsors, riders, parents, officials, medics, scorers and most importantly the volunteers for the hours that were put into making this series such a success.
It is time for SOCTA to hang up our spurs and move on.
We will leave the SOCTA Facebook up and please share pictures and memories of your time with SOCTA.
Sincerely,
Current and Past SOCTA Organizers
