Event co-hair Catherine McLaughlin, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation's Shannon Gorman and event co-chair Karen Sparks at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
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Event Date: 08/12/2026 Organizer: QCH Foundation, Wesley Clover Parks
Ottawa business leaders and philanthropists gathered with the local equestrian community on Aug. 12 for Spurs & Sparkles presented by RBC, raising more than $200,000 in support of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation.
Guests enjoyed local food and beverages while cheering on Get Up & Gallop, a fast-paced obstacle course competition pairing local business leaders and notable personalities with internationally acclaimed equestrians. The Calcutta auction and betting added to the excitement.
The event also marked Queensway Carleton Hospital’s 50th anniversary. Since opening in 1976, its catchment area has grown from about 100,000 residents to more than 500,000, and the hospital handles over 80,000 annual emergency visits. The evening encouraged community support for the hospital’s next 50 years.
RBC title sponsor Dion Farentino and QCH Foundation’s Shannon Gorman at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Tammy Laverty Hall (Royal LePage) and event co-chair Catherine McLaughlin at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Riaz Sidi and Roy Beroff of Sidi.io at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Melissa Reeves (Linebox Studio) and Dr. Cristin McCauley (Parkdale Dental Centre) at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Teams compete in horseback jumping, soccer kicks, and golf cart races during the Get Up and Gallop portion of Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Equestrian jumping at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Karen Sparks and her son at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Ed Dunnigan and Janet Wilson (Export Development Canada) at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Dave Miron and Shirley Elliott-Miron at Spurs and Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Co-chair Catherine McLaughlin with husband Terry McLaughlin (Terlin Construction), equestrian show jumper Conor Swail, and former CTV journalist Terry Marcotte after their team placed second at Spurs & Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.(L-R) Team Cityscape members Nikki Walter, Will Aiello, and Dan Aiello; Team Faces Magazine’s Quinn Valters; and Team Terlin’s Terry Marcotte and Terry McLaughlin pop the champagne at Spurs & Sparkles in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital at Wesley Clover Parks on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
