The Canadian Equestrian Team has been announced for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games but there will be quite a few more Canadians on the ground in Japan than you might think at first glance!
The following Canadians have been appointed by the FEI to officiate in various roles at the Games:
Peter (Pedro) Cebulka, Arena Call Up/Steward
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Pedro Cebulka is an Invermere, BC, native often found – and easy to spot! – ringside at international events. He is responsible for making sure athletes get into the ring safely and on time.
Patricia Chalmers, Steward
Patricia Chalmers of Saint-Lazare, QC, is an FEI Jumping Level 3 and EC Senior Steward for all disciplines. Stewards are critical in ensuring safe, fair play and equine welfare.
Janice Falkner, Testing Technician
Janice Falkner of Innisfail, AB, is EC Equine Medication Control Technician. She added FEI Testing Technician to her list of credentials as soon as the role was introduced in 2016, helping Testing Veterinarians during sampling for anti-doping and controlled medications.
Peter Grant, Jumping Field of Play Arena Crew
Peter Grant of Calgary, AB, is a FEI Level 3 Jumping Course Designer and EC Senior Hunter and Jumping Course Designer. As part of the Field of Play Arena Crew, he will help maintain the safety and integrity of all elements of the jumping course.
Jay Hambly, Eventing Course Builder
Photo Credit: Rob Stevenson
Jay Hambly of Fergus, ON, is an FEI and EC Level 3 Eventing Course Designer who has extensive experience building for international events and championships, including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. A long career with the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in Quebec has included many collaborations with Derek di Grazia of the United States, who is the Cross-Country Course Designer for Tokyo 2020. As a Course Builder, Jay helps build the cross-country jumps and other obstacles.
Kim Morrison, Jumping Ground Jury Member
Photo Credit: Greg O’Brien
Calgary, AB’s Kim Morrison transferred her own high performance show jumping background into a long and respected career as an official. She is an FEI Level 4 and EC Senior Jumping Judge and was named 2013 Jump Canada Official of the Year. Kim’s role at Tokyo 2020 is to ensure that the rules of competition are being followed, including keeping a sharp eye out for faults.
Yves Rossier, Veterinarian Delegate
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Yves Rossier of Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, is one of Canada’s most well-known equine veterinarians. He has been an FEI Official Veterinarian in multiple disciplines since the early 1990s and the National Head FEI Veterinarian for Canada since 2009. Yves is also Chair of the Equestrian Canada (EC) Equine Medication Control Committee.
As Veterinarian Delegate, Yves is responsible for ensuring the 200+ horses at the Games are fit to compete, particularly considering heat and humidity concerns. Since his appointment in 2018, Yves has travelled to Tokyo four times for facility and protocol development.
Harveen Thauli, Tribunal Member
Photo Credit: Darlene Tandon
Harveen Thauli of Vancouver, BC, is exceptionally qualified as a Tribunal Member due to her comprehensive equestrian background and role as founder of a boutique equine law firm. She became the first Canadian to be elected to the FEI Tribunal in 2017.
The tribunal listens to and provides a ruling on all cases that are not otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Ground Jury.
Additional Canadian equestrian specialist volunteers at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are Heather Lynn Evans, Kristi Newman and Nina Wanran Zhou.