What began as a hobby and a passion for several Edmonton-area residents has resulted in an increasingly popular riding and learning centre near one of Canada's premier cities.Named after Whitemud Park that surrounds the site, the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre occupies a place along the North Saskatchewan River that was once part of the Keillor family farm. (The first settlers to come to the area found that the mud in a local creek was actually white.) Visitors and equine professionals have found that the site is perfect for horse shows, parties and even Olympic trials.
The current non-profit organization, Whitemud Equine Centre Association and its riding centre, began life in the 1950s when area businessmen worked together to establish a horse training facility and stable service. In the following years, a still-operating spring rodeo was started, along with horse shows and training programs. For almost four decades the site has been home to riding lessons, recreational riding, sleigh rides (in season), programs for disabled riders and much more.
Whitemud Equine Learning Centre occupies 48 acres on the south bank of the river. The riding academy and stable has operated continuously since 1958. The equine centre was constructed in 1978, at a time when Grant MacEwan Community College took control of the centre's lease. Whitemud serves more than 1,000 people each year, people who come to ride, to take part in rodeos and other competitions or to tour the facility and see the horses stabled there.
Hours of operation vary, so interested persons are encouraged to contact the centre before making the trip. 780-435 3597. Age limit for riding is six years old and up.
