Greg Greenough, Edmonton, AB, will be remembered for his incredible support and leadership in equestrian sport both in Canada and internationally. While many will remember him for his career in business, the equestrian community fondly remembers Greenough as a supportive father to his daughter, Gail Greenough and the sport overall. He supported show jumping and Gail’s riding career, owning Mr. T, that made history with her when she became the first woman and only North American to win the World Championships in Aachen, Germany in 1986.
Greg served as EC President from 1984 to 1992 (at that time the Canadian Equestrian Federation), and through his life had a long history with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the FEI. “Greg was a Canadian equestrian pioneer” shared EC CEO Meg Krueger, “Through his generosity of time and expertise, he gave so much to our nation through his volunteerism, vision and passion for change. He provided mentorship, opportunity, and support for athletes, owners, horses and our sport organizations. His vision enabled equestrian sport to thrive and grow and his legacy will be with us for years to come.”
Southern Pride, the 24-year-old Holsteiner stallion (South Pacific x Carentio), recently owned by Karen and Blair Cudmore at Heartland Farms in Bennington, NE. The pair of Southern Pride and Cudmore represented the maple leaf on numerous occasions, including the 2010 FEI World Cup Finals in Geneva, CH and was an alternate at the 2007 Pan American Games.
Mike Gallagher, of Codys, NB was a dedicated leader in equestrian sport in Canada and on the international stage. He served as a competitor, coach, horse show organizer, judge and technical delegate. Gallagher proudly and enthusiastically held roles with the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) at international competitions including Team Leader and Chef d’équipe for 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing) Olympic Games, Chef de Mission at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (Aachen) and Team Leader Equestrian at the 2007 Pan American Games (Rio de Janeiro). In 2009, Gallagher was named president of EC.
“Mike was a passionate leader and an advocate for equestrian sport in Canada,” said Krueger. “He represented our nation globally with professionalism and earned great respect and trust from Canadians and worldwide leaders,” she added. “He always had time to spend coaching his students and supporting athletes, fostering activity and opportunity in the grassroots as equally as in high-performance pursuits. He was a great driver of our sport and is dearly missed.”
Barbara Mitchell of Mono, ON, will be remembered for her passion and dedication to equestrianism in both Canada and internationally. She truly was an all-around horsewoman that gave freely of her expertise throughout her life. In 2018, Mitchell was honoured with the EC Lifetime Achievement Award for the impact she made in improving the quality accessibility and professionalism of the sport.
“Barbara was influential, impactful, iconic, inspirational, confident, strong, classy, and resilient,” said EC’s Sponsorship & Fund Development Officer, Helen Dillon. “She not only taught equestrian skills to generations of equestrians across different disciplines, but she also helped us all be better people. The equestrian community and beyond, experienced a profound loss in her passing and she will be greatly missed by many.”
Photo Credit: Michelle Dunn
Jack Pemberton, of Toronto, ON will be remembered for his leadership in equestrian sport, being part of over 20 equestrian associations throughout his lifetime. He attended the first ever meeting with the Carriage Association of America in 1960 and held various roles in the organization. In 1968, he represented Canada for driving and was heavily involved as a driving judge and chairman for the FEI Driving committee. Pemberton was awarded the EC lifetime achievement award in 2007.
Dr. Lee Garrod, an Ontario native that called New Hampshire home was a veterinarian, an expert in critical animal care and cardiothoracic medicine, a Canadian Para Dressage athlete, and Paralympic horse owner (Sandrino). Garrod graduated from the University of Guelph in 1989 and completed her residency at Tufts University in Massachusetts in 1993. She ran many successful veterinary clinics in New England for over three decades.
“Lee was always awesome to work with, a great team player always wanting to support everything that we are trying to develop as a team,” said EC’s Para-Dressage Technical Advisor Clive Milkins. “Her partnership with Jonny (Question) was lovely to see as Lee was the ultimate horsewoman. She was fun to be around and easy to coach. Rest well my friend, you will be sorely missed.”
Photo Credit: Susan Stickle
Pop Art, a Dutch warmblood gelding (Amsterdam x Cabochon) was owned by Moreen Nicoll and Rusty Holzer and was a dear member of the Holzer family. “Poppy” retired in November 2012 after partnering with four-time Olympian Ashley Holzer in major competitions including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas and 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington.
Don Barnes, of Hamilton, ON, was a leader in the dressage community as an EC Dressage judge for over four decades and a steward for close to 20 years. A competitor himself, he helped organize numerous competitions and chaired both the Canadian National Dressage Championships and the Ontario Dressage Championships. He was well known as president of the Canadian Dressage Owners and Riders Association (CADORA Inc.) and CADORA Ontario, roles he held between the years of 1992 and 2020. Barnes was a long-standing member of the Dressage Rules Committee and EC National Rules Committee.
Don will be remembered for his tireless efforts at the grassroots level of the sport, and for his quick wit and sense of humour. His dedication, mentorship and the impact he made in Dressage in Canada will forever be remembered and celebrated.
Photo Credit: CADORA Inc. Facebook
Toni Thompson, an accomplished horsewoman, mentor, and leader in the Canadian Equestrian community.
Thompson, known to many for her assiduous organizing and steadfast leading of pony clubs, light horse societies, CADORA, among others, she was one of the community’s most dedicated and long-serving volunteers. Passionate about horses, teaching and learning she was comfortable in both an English and a Western saddle.
Later in her career in addition to working as an “A” level examiner and training students at the Leitchcroft Pony Club in Thornhill, she taught at Humber College and served on the school’s Equine Studies Advisory Committee. Over several years, she was a director of Ontario Equestrian and EC (then the Canadian Equestrian Federation). Thompson was director of competition for the 1984 World Dressage Championships and organized several dressage competitions at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Kilrodan Abbott, an Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover x Leabeg), owned by Peter and Susan Barry of Dunham, QC. “Eddie” and Peter represented Canada in the team competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, FRA. The pair also completed the prestigious Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky four times and the CCI 5*-L in Pau, France in 2013.
Jane Casselman of Campbellville, ON, made a significant impact in the industry and to equestrian sport over several decades. As the owner and operator of Touch and Go Farms, Casselman mentored and trained many athletes throughout her career. She also had major influence as a show organizer and was known for organizing the Lollipop Shows, a schooling series in the Greater Toronto Area.
“Jane was an inspiring horsewoman, I will always remember her by her positivity and always happy to lend a helping hand to those who reached out,” said EC’s Coordinator, Online Education, Sophie Balogh. “She influenced and positively impacted the lives of so many young equestrians. To me, she was a mentor and a friend and is deeply missed.”
