Marie-Josée Proulx, Canadian Breeder of the Year 2022

Breeding

Canada

Marie-Josée Proulx, owner and operator of Canadream Farm in Dunvegan, ON, has been named the Canadian Breeder of the Year. The Canadian equestrian federation announced the news on 20 May 2023.

This award was created to recognize Canadian breeders who have improved the quality and/or enhanced the reputation of Canadian bred horses. Across her 30-year career Proulx has shown remarkable dedication, passion, and success in the Canadian equestrian industry.

Growing up in Quebec, Proulx developed a love for horses at a young age. Over the years, she gained experience in multiple disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, and dressage. Driven by her passion for equestrian sport, Proulx embarked on a career in breeding top-of-the-line, high-performance horses.

“I started breeding Dutch Warmbloods in 1990, breeding thoroughbred mares accredited by the KWPN breeding to Iron Spring farm stallions at first and then was one of the first breeders to use frozen semen in eastern Ontario. I sold my mares in 1998 when I was pregnant and resumed breeding in 2014 when I imported my first three mares from The Netherlands.” Proulx said of her introduction to the breeding industry.

In 2015, Proulx founded Canadream Farm, which quickly became known for producing top-quality KWPN sport horses for both driving and dressage. A state-of-the-art, 100-acre breeding farm in Eastern Ontario, Canadream Farm provides support to clients throughout every stage of the breeding process. To date, Proulx has successfully bred 98 horses across her 30-year career.

Proulx's keen eye for quality has led her to meticulously curate a collection of broodmares, stallions, and recipient mares, consisting of some of the best KWPN bloodlines. Her breeding program consistently produces exceptional foals, all renowned for their quality and set up to excel in their competitive careers.

Although Canadream Farm’s offspring are all still quite young, many are already making their mark. Among the numerous accolades in 2022, Masterful Dream (Everdale x Jazz) excelled in the FEI young horse classes, earning qualification for the National Championships as a five-year-old. Additionally, fouryear-old Noir Dream (Everdale x Jazz) ranked first in Equestrian Canada's Young Horse Development Program. Sensational Dream (Secret x Toto Jr) was awarded reserve champion and best filly in North America, and numerous other foals attained high rankings in their 2022 Keuring.

Proulx's dedication to breeding world-class sport horses is evident in every aspect of her breeding program; “Every single foal planned, produced, and born are all very special to me.” Proulx shared. She takes a hands-on approach to every aspect of horse care, from the selection of breeding pairs to the foaling process and beyond. Her commitment to producing only the highest-quality horses has earned her a reputation as one of the most respected breeders in Canada.

Proulx's attention to detail and standards for quality have been the driving force behind her breeding program's success. She is the personification of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a passion for excellence. Proulx has helped to elevate the Canadian breeding industry to new heights, strengthening the reputation and visibility of Canadian-bred horses.