DECEMBER 2021 THE RIDER /41


Exclusive to the Digital Edition of The Rider


DECEMBER 2021 Vol. 3, Issue No. 2


CELEBRATING YEARS


Mark Laskin Resigns as Canadian Show Jumping Team Chef d’Équipe


Langley, British Columbia – Mark Laskin has resigned from his position as Eques- trian Canada’s (EC) Technical Advisor - Jumping, which in- cludes acting as chef d’équipe for the Canadian Show Jump- ing Team at major games and Nations’ Cup team competi- tions, effective immediately. Laskin of Langley, BC,


has held the role of Canadian Show Jumping Team chef d’équipe since the fall of 2012 when he succeeded Ter-


Compounding the issue,


Equestrian Canada recently undertook a review of the Technical Advisor - Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s Director of High Performance and FEI Relations. “When I was hired, the


Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Laskin. “At that time, “Torchy” Mil- lar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for


Laskin. “This is EC’s version of a succession plan.” Laskin also cites inter-


ference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resig- nation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Na- tions’ Cup team competitions. “The leaders at our na-


tional federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” stated Laskin. “Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the cur- rent leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down. “I feel very sad to be re-


signing,” continued Laskin. “The management of an in- ternational team is a complex task that requires the full sup-


Mark Laskin has resigned as chef d’équipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team.


Photo by Starting Gate Communications


rance “Torchy” Millar. Laskin has been working without a current contract despite con- tinuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, JPN, in Au- gust and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final held in Barcelona, ESP, in October. “I was told during the


first week of April that a con- tract would be forthcoming,” said Laskin. “Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been deliv- ered.”


two years as Assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that “Torchy” stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time in 2012. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada. “I now find myself in a


position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be wel- come to apply,” continued


port and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.” In making his decision


to resign, Laskin was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee – Jumping. As High Perform- ance Advisor – Jumping, Laskin acted as Chair of the volunteer committee com- prised of Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Under- hill, and Marni von Schal- burg.


“The High Performance


Committee - Jumping is 100% unanimous in its sup- port of Mark’s decision and the rationale behind his resig- nation,” said Lawrence. “We


Mark Laskin pictured with the victorious Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2018 Longines Nations’ Cup in Ocala, FL. From left to right: François Lamontagne, Eric Lamaze, Mark Laskin, Ian Millar, and Tiffany Foster. Photo by Starting Gate Communications


share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our com- mittee. As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high per- formance program and the process that is followed.” Laskin, 64, got his start


riding in Edmonton, AB, and went on to enjoy a successful career as an international grand prix competitor and coach. In 1980, he produced


double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the Al- ternate Olympics in Rotter- dam, NED, and again represented Canada in the 1982 World Championships in Dublin, IRL. In 2007, Laskin was inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame as a member of the 1980 Alter- nate Olympics gold medal team alongside Jim Elder, Ian Millar, and Michel Vaillan- court.


“I’ve been so proud and


honoured to have held this position with the Canadian Show Jumping Team for over 10 years,” concluded Laskin. “I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage. I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”


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