With the current pause in competition, we thought it would be fun to remember some of the riders, horses, teams, and organizations that have thrilled us over the years with their historic achievements. In its inaugural year, the Jump Canada Hall of Fame was ambitious in including no fewer than eight inductees in its class of 2006. A delve into the archives brings us a look at one half of the class of 2006. Enjoy!
Jump Canada Hall of Fame Class of 2006 – Part 1
Team – 1968 Olympic Gold Medal Team
The 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City were remarkable for many reasons, not least was that Canada sent a show jumping team to compete at the Olympics for the first time. On October 27, 1968, at the Stadium Estadio Olimpico Universtario, three Canadian men and their horses captured the hearts of their nation with rides of grit, determination, and courage. Jimmy Day riding Canadian Club, Jimmy Elder on The Immigrant, and Tom Gayford with Big Dee claimed the Gold Medal in front of thousands of spectators in the final competition of the Games prior to closing ceremonies.
Gayford would be the first to tackle the course as the pathfinder, Day would follow in second position, and Elder would ride as the anchor. After the first round over a grueling course of huge obstacles, Canada was in third place. The Canadians returned to the ring and, with fierce fortitude, ended the second round with a total of 102.75 faults to clinch the Gold Medal for Canada. The French took Silver with 110.50 faults while the Germans, comprised of riders from both the east and west, accumulated 117.25 faults for Bronze.
The victorious Canadians – Gayford, Day, and Elder – all members of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, were hailed as Olympic heroes for their skill and bravery. Through their teamwork, they brought home the only Gold Medal that Canada earned at the 1968 Olympic Games.
The 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City were remarkable for many reasons, not least was that Canada sent a show jumping team to compete at the Olympics for the first time. On October 27, 1968, at the Stadium Estadio Olimpico Universtario, three Canadian men and their horses captured the hearts of their nation with rides of grit, determination, and courage. Jimmy Day riding Canadian Club, Jimmy Elder on The Immigrant, and Tom Gayford with Big Dee claimed the Gold Medal in front of thousands of spectators in the final competition of the Games prior to closing ceremonies.
Gayford would be the first to tackle the course as the pathfinder, Day would follow in second position, and Elder would ride as the anchor. After the first round over a grueling course of huge obstacles, Canada was in third place. The Canadians returned to the ring and, with fierce fortitude, ended the second round with a total of 102.75 faults to clinch the Gold Medal for Canada. The French took Silver with 110.50 faults while the Germans, comprised of riders from both the east and west, accumulated 117.25 faults for Bronze.
The victorious Canadians – Gayford, Day, and Elder – all members of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, were hailed as Olympic heroes for their skill and bravery. Through their teamwork, they brought home the only Gold Medal that Canada earned at the 1968 Olympic Games.
PHOTO CREDITS – Courtesy of Equestrian Canada
Sponsor – BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada.
It first became involved with equestrian sport as a founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows in 1976. Since then, BMO Financial Group has sponsored the Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows for more than 40 years. The BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows is historically the richest nations’ cup offered anywhere in the world. As a result, Canada has the advantage of having world-class competition brought to its doorstep and, in 2006, the Canadian show jumping team (pictured) won the BMO Nations’ Cup for the first time in the event’s long history!
Anchoring the Canadian Show Jumping Team for its historic victory was none other than Ian Millar. In 1988, BMO signed the 10-time Olympian as its corporate equestrian advisor, and the partnership has continued to flourish. In 1994, BMO co-sponsored the Big Ben Retirement Tour, and proceeds from the sales of memorabilia were donated to the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and the Canadian Show Jumping Team. In 2005, BMO was proud to help sponsor a life-size bronze statue of Millar and Big Ben erected in Millar’s hometown of Perth, ON, that will forever celebrate the incredible career of two show jumping legends.
For over a decade during the 1980s and 90s, BMO Financial Group was the title sponsor of the indoor Nations’ Cup fall tour held at the Washington International Horse Show, the National Horse Show in New York City, and Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
In addition to its sponsorship commitments, BMO Financial Group supports Canadian equestrian sport by administering the MasterCard affinity program. Based on the aggregate retail purchases charged to every card issued, BMO Financial Group makes a contribution to Equestrian Canada.
The support of BMO Financial Group represents the longest and most productive sponsorship in Canadian show jumping sport to this day.
PHOTO CREDIT – Cealy Tetley
Builder (Individual) – Brigadier-General W. Denis Whitaker (posthumous)
Brigadier-General Denis Whitaker was a true Canadian hero. A decorated war veteran, outstanding athlete, renowned author, and astute businessman, Whitaker is remembered in the equestrian world as the founder of the Canadian Equestrian Team.
As Chair, Whitaker presided over the golden years of Canadian equestrian sport. He brought honour, respect, and stability to the fledgling sport in the post-war years. He created the Canadian Equestrian Team in 1960 and divided it into subcommittees representing the three FEI disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and three-day eventing. Through his dedication and commitment as Chair, he raised the profile and fundraised for the success of equestrian sport through his media and business contacts. Under his direction, Canada sent teams for the first time in all three disciplines to the 1967 Pan American Games where, in show jumping, James Day and Canadian Club claimed the Individual Gold and Canada won the Team Bronze medal.
Whitaker successfully lobbied the Canadian Olympic Association to consider horses as athletes and therefore eligible to receive travel subsidization. Fully funded for the first time by the Canadian Olympic Association, the Canadian Equestrian Team sent teams in all three disciplines to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City where the show jumping team won the Gold Medal. Presiding as Chair of the Canadian Equestrian Team until his retirement in 1979, Whitaker saw Canada win two Olympic Medals, two World Championship titles, and 15 Pan American Games medals. In 1989, he was named a member of the Order of Canada and, the following year, was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
While Whitaker is known for his immense contributions at the international level, he and his family also participated in the sport as athletes. He rode with his daughter, Gail, and the family was involved in steeple chasing, hunting, and show jumping. In 1958, he resurrected the Hamilton Hunt.
Whitaker died in 2001 at the age of 86. His is a legacy of international, national, and grassroots achievement in equestrian sport.
PHOTO CREDIT – Courtesy of Horse Publications Group
Pony – Farnley Soya
A beautiful bay mare with kind eyes, Farnley Soya was the pony that defined a generation. Her career spanned two decades and, during that time, she won a record number of championship titles at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair carrying numerous young riders.
Foaled in 1969 at Farnley Farm in White Post, Virginia, Farnley Soya was purchased as a five-year-old by trainer Sue Pritchard for her client, Susan Biggar. Fondly referred to as “Beanie,” Farnley Soya captured what would be the first of many championship titles at The Royal that year. In 1975, she was sold to Belinda Chopping and John Weir, again resulting in many ribbons before her sale to Amber Castleman and Looking Back Farm.
Bobbie Reber would become Farnley Soya’s final trainer, although the little mare would continue to have three more riders. Chris Delia purchased her first, followed by Bonnie Lynn Fraser. Farnley Soya’s final rider was Bobbie’s own daughter, Ashley. After claiming yet another championship title at the age of 21, Farnley Soya was retired from competition.
Despite her age, she was sent to Pru Richardson who bred her to Llanarth Senator. Farnley Soya found another career where she could excel, producing two foals at the ages of 24 and 25, respectively. Along with her two foals, Farnley Bean Sprout and Farnley Cauliflower, Farnley Soya traveled to British Columbia where she spent the rest of her years with Reber at her Reber Ridge farm. Farnley Soya passed away in 2006 at the age of 37, three months shy of her Jump Canada Hall of Fame induction.
Few ponies will be remembered as fondly as Farnley Soya. She was a teacher and a champion for many young athletes.
PHOTO CREDIT – Courtesy of Horse Publications Group