Can-Am President Ross Miller and his team received a gift of appreciation celebrating the 10-year relationship forged between his team and Equine Guelph.

Accomplished artist, EquiMania! volunteer and longtime friend of Equine Guelph, Ruth Benns, created a beautiful painting depicting a typical jovial scene of the ever-popular EquiMania display. The specially commissioned artwork was presented to Ross Miller, Mike Straw and Ron Waples in the main arena on Can-Am's Saturday night to help kick off the extravaganza show to a sold out crowd.

"Can-Am Equine Expo is proud of the relationship with Equine Guelph that is based on promoting the welfare of the equine while also educating people young and old on the equine world," said Miller. "Gayle Ecker and her staff always partner in a most professional manner and we look forward to a continued relationship in the future."

EquiMania! has been featured at the Can-Am Equine Expo right from its debut. The once-little booth aimed towards teaching kids to be safe around horses has grown up with Can-Am to educate and entertain thousands of horse lovers of all walks of life. This year, the now 5,000-pound display occupied an entire barn, bringing its interactive, fun way to learn about horses and safety to the multitudes who attended.

"Sharing a common vision promoting education, health and welfare for a vibrant equine industry makes it a pleasure to work with Ross Miller and his dedicated crew," stated Equine Guelph's director, Gayle Ecker. "We always look forward to presenting EquiMania! at Can-Am and we were so pleased to present Ross with a token of our appreciation."

Equine Guelph would also like to pay special thanks to the artists who offered donations of proceeds from their booth sales and through donations of artwork auctioned off at the Saturday evening extravaganza: Ann Clifford, Wendy Fraleigh, Nola McConnan of Merriweather Studio, and Winnie Stott with the equine artists of Winsong Farm.

(Equine Guelph)