FEBRUARY 2023 THE RIDER /47


Captain Canada Taking The Lead With National Show Jumping Team The world’s only ten-time Olympian hired as Technical Advisor


Ottawa, ON Feb 2, 2023 – Canadian Olympic legend ‘Captain Canada’ is joining the team in a new role on the road to Paris 2024. Eques- trian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce Ian Millar, CM as the new Technical Advi- sor (TA), Jumping for Canada’s national show jumping team. Well known beyond


the equestrian world, Millar of Perth, ON is the most successful competitor in the history of Canadian show jumping. He is the twelve- time Canadian National Champion and has com- peted in more Olympic Games than any athlete in history. “Everyone at EC and


the Canadian team are feel- ing proud that Ian has cho- sen to share his knowledge, passion and experience in a mentorship and develop- ment role that will support the team now and into the future,” said EC’s CEO Meg Krueger. “I think not only the athletes, but everyone will benefit from his guid- ance and infinite interest in making the sport better. And we know he likes to win, too!”


“It has been my great


honour to ride for Canada for the better part of 50 years,” said Millar when asked about taking on this role. “This is my opportu- nity to give back and it is with further honour that I do so.”


A self-professed life-


long learner, he shared how the role is both a culmina- tion of what he brings and


Podium, sponsors, backers, everybody that’s involved – it’s a huge group effort and everyone has to work to- gether to make it happen. I believe that I have the sup- port.”


Beyond the work of


building national teams to send to international compe- titions, EC has additional as- pirations for Millar in the role of TA. “Ian has a long- standing interest in NextGen athlete development and is central to several programs already,” said Hood. “With him in this role, we will be able to work on plans for up-and-coming riders and capitalize on Ian’s holistic view of the equestrian sport system to grow it overall. That’s important to the fu- ture of our sport.” “The role of Chef is


Ian Millar acts as a consultant to Ontario Equestrian (OE)’s GRIT (Great Rider Intensive Training) youth development program that is open to OE members aged 13 to 30 in all olympic disciplines. Photo Credit: Andree-Anne Brunet Photography


what groundwork has been laid before him. “In my time representing Canada, I have known and learned from over a dozen Chefs d’E- quipes,” he continued. “Each of them have been great leaders in their own right and I will take that team spirit with me as I em- bark on this new role.” “Over his career, Ian


has developed a program that consistently produces top results in major compe-


titions using proven princi- ples,” said James Hood EC’s Director, High Per- formance. “We are grateful to have him guiding our team to be the best they can be. And we are looking for- ward to having him bring his leadership skills to the TA position.” “I am very excited for challenge,” Millar


the


shared. “I know we have some great riders and some great horses, and I am very


optimistic that we are going to build a top team for Pan Ams. These games are going to be challenging but they are our big chance to qualify for the Olympics. This is a must do and a can- do thing. Then we’ll build a team for Paris.” Millar has plenty of


Pan American Games expe- rience to share having repre- sented Canada at ten of the continental sporting events spanning five decades where he has won 10 total medals including four gold, four silver, and two bronze. In his last appearance as a rider at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, he took home team gold along- side teammates Yann Can- dele, Tiffany Foster, and Eric Lamaze. Of all his accolades,


his team wins and experi- ences are his favourite achievements in the sport. “I’ve won a lot of Grands Prix and individual titles, but nothing is better than winning a Nations Cup alongside three other Cana- dians.”


“I’ve never had any


Ian Millar and Star Power (Quick Star x Calvados) competing in Millar’s recording breaking 10th Olympic Games at London 2012. Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley


prouder moments than an- choring a Canadian team,” Millar shared. “Represent- ing our country, that has mo- tivated me from the beginning.” That sentiment is well known by fans and is one of the reasons he has be- come known as Captain Canada. Everyone in and


outside the sport know and feel how much Team Canada means to him – with the emphasis on team. `“A team made up of


individuals rarely wins championship titles,” Millar explained his perspective. “It has to be a team; with that feeling and that spirit that every team rider has each other’s back and they


all work in a synergistic manner.” Not surprisingly he


felt he could accept this new challenge, because he knows he’s not going into it solo. “This role is impossi- ble to do alone. It takes everyone involved - horses, riders, grooms, owners, EC, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Own


the


not just the top tier, it also involves younger riders,” agreed Millar. “I plan to be involved in the sport and work with Dayton Gorsline, the Jumping Youth Devel- opment Program Advisor, and with young riders. I want to know where the rid- ers of tomorrow are and want to watch them develop and if I can assist in anyway, I am available.” With the Pan Ameri-


can Games only eight months away, Millar will be getting to work with the team immediately. Team Canada is happy to have the captain on board and are ready to work alongside him.


The Canadian Team of Yann Candele, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze and Ian Millar on the podium at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto after winning gold. Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley


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