The Canadian equestrian community is mourning the passing of Jeff Brandmaier, who died peacefully after a long illness on December 7, 2024 in Guelph, Ontario. He was 65 years old.
Jeff, who was born in Teaneck, New Jersey in 1959, was married to Margaret (Muffie) Guthrie for 14 years, and was the proud and loving dad of daughter Liza Jean. The family operates Knightwood Stables in Arkell, ON and their winter base in Wellington, FL.
An MBA graduate, Jeff had over 30 years of business experience, culminating in several Fortune 500 executive positions. But he will be most fondly remembered for his passion for equestrian sports. A top hunter/jumper competitor, he won numerous championships at prestigious events such as the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the American Gold Cup, and on the competitive Florida circuit with the good mares Jenny, Caliana, and Retina du Vilpion. In 2022, Jeff and Muffie were crowned champion and reserve champion, respectively, of the Michael C. Sifton Memorial Amateur-Owner Working Hunter Canadian Championship at the Royal riding Nitecap and ‘Round Midnight.
In 2010, Jeff founded the Canadian Hunter Derby Series in honour of Lorna Guthrie, who had founded the Knightwood Handy Hunter Challenge in 1998. Along with his wife Muffie and friend Cawthra Burns, they lobbied show managers, rule makers and provincial federations across the country to develop and promote the fun classes which are a welcome throwback to the ‘old days’ of hunters with higher jumps and handy options for extra points. The popular series grew into a national event; in 2024, 18 derbies were held in the western conference and 25 in the eastern division, with a finale at the Royal Horse Show in November and over $1 million in prize money.
John Anderson who runs Canadian Hunter Derby classes at his Rocky Mountain Show Jumping and Royal West events, worked closely with Jeff and appreciated the efforts Jeff made to champion the hunter discipline. “Jeff was always a pleasure to work with – he was truly a visionary in the sport. He took the time and made the effort to stay in touch, even bringing his family out to see what we were doing with the Hunter Derbies out west. Jeff was kind of person who really helped our sport progress into the future. He will be missed.”
A tireless contributor to the equestrian community, Jeff was named Equestrian Canada’s Volunteer of the Year in 2021 and was included in Horse Sport magazine’s Top 50 Most Influential People in Canada for his hunter series. He took great pride in personally building many of the Derby jumps, shipping them from show to show and being a successful participant. He will be remembered as the driving force behind the series.
Christine Reupke, Director of Equestrian & Breed Sport at The Royal Horse Show said: “Jeff was a huge supporter of The Royal Horse Show hosting The Canadian Hunter Derby National Championships and together with Muffie was an integral part of bringing this iconic series to the forefront of the hunter discipline in Canada. Always detail-oriented, Jeff personally consulted with the course designer and course decorator to ensure the final product at The Royal Horse Show was visually stunning, while also showcasing the best derby horses from across the country. He will be sorely missed, and our hearts and thoughts are with Muffie and Liza Jean at this difficult time.”
Above all, Jeff was a devoted father to his daughter, Liza Jean. Together, they enjoyed golfing, fishing, baking, and creating elaborate bobsled runs. Their bond was unbreakable, and they were the best of friends, inseparable in life’s adventures.
To honour Jeff’s extraordinary legacy in the equestrian world, a special Remembrance Derby will take place on a date to be determined next year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hospice Wellington in Guelph.