About
Our Background
The Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association (OCEA) was officially founded in 2007 by a group of dedicated and hardworking university students. Formerly known as the OUEA, the original goal of the organization was to offer students a way to continue riding and competing without the same financial and time commitments traditionally associated with the sport.
The OCEA was originally structured based on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Associate (IHSA) in the USA, but over time has evolved into something truly its own. Like the IHSA, the OCEA offers hunter equitation classes to riders ranging in ability. Riders compete on donated horses that they have not previously ridden. The OCEA started out with only seven member universities from south-central Ontario (Brock, McMaster, Guelph, Waterloo, Western, Laurier and Trent) and over just a few short years has grown to include twenty-one schools from across Ontario and Quebec.
Current State
Currently twenty-one schools are involved with the OCEA, and as such have divided the organization into North, Central, East, and West Zones.
By dividing into zones, travel times will be reduced, but more importantly, this will allow for each school to send more riders to every show.
Despite the organization’s rapid growth, it is still entirely run by students and relies on the kind donations from those involved in the equestrian industry. Several students from many different member universities make up the OCEA Executive Team, and they are responsible for the overall management of the organization. Individual shows are run by member teams, and the majority of teams each host at least one show per season.
Student Run
The OCEA and all shows are student run!
Low Cost
Show entries are $55 per rider!
Focused on Horsemanship
Always ensuring that donated horses are treated with the best of care.