Source:  News Release

France "Fran" McAvity Named Jump Canada Volunteer of the Year

Toronto, Ont.--France "Fran" McAvity of Vancouver, B.C., was honoured as the Jump Canada Volunteer of the Year for 2014 in recognition of her loyal support and dedication to the furtherance of the hunter and jumper sport in Canada.

McAvity first joined Equine Canada in 1963 and is a well-respected national judge and steward. She is also an FEI steward in jumping and eventing.

A competitor since the age of eight, McAvity was a very well-rounded rider who showed in Amateur Owner hunters, equitation classes, Intermediate level dressage, High Junior/Amateur Jumpers and was a member of the Canadian Three Day Event Team in 1975.

In addition to her officiating duties, McAvity is also a tireless volunteer. She has been a board member of the British Columbia Hunter Jumper Association and on the Horse Council British Columbia. Her Jump Canada duties included the Competitions Committee, CET Medal Committee, Athlete & Domestic Development Committee and the Rules Committee. Every volunteer role that McAvity has taken on has benefited from her extensive experience and incredible dedication.

McAvity has also volunteered on the organizing committees of BC Summer Games (Jumping Chair), BCHJA Fall Finale; Southlands Riding Club Spring and Fall Horse Shows; 1982 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Maple Ridge, BC; and is a member of the Ring Committee at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

As a long-time member of the CET Medal Committee, McAvity recently attended the inaugural Royal West Tournament in Calgary, Alta., to help facilitate the first ever CET National Medal Finals held in the West.

"Fran McAvity has made a huge contribution over the years to one of Jump Canada's most important programs, the CET Medal series," said Elizabeth Bordeaux. "The CET Medal is a prestigious jumper equitation series started 26 years ago through the generosity and vision of Barbara Anderson of Calgary. Fran has run the regional finals in British Columbia for that whole time, and she also ran the national finals at The Royal for the first 25 years. In addition, Fran heads the CET Medal Committee, which is active in keeping the rules up to date after input from riders and coaches. Jump Canada owes a big debt of gratitude to Fran for her dedication, and we are delighted to present her with our Volunteer-of-the-Year award."
 
"It's overwhelmingly special to receive this award," said McAvity. "I do it because I love the sport and it's my gift back. It's about providing opportunities for young athletes to rise and bringing the Canadian equestrian community together. If I can help in any way, I will. Thank you to Jump Canada and the entire equine community."

"Fran McAvity has been one of our hardest working volunteers for many years. She is incredibly efficient and dedicated and a worthy recipient of this award," noted John Taylor, Chair of Jump Canada.

In its inaugural year, the 2001 Jump Canada Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Alan Chesler of Orangeville, Ont., while Mark Samuel of Toronto, Ont., was honoured in 2002 for his dedication to Canadian show jumping as the first Chair of Jump Canada. In 2003, Chesler was once again named the recipient based on his dedication to the success of the FEI Children's Final held in Calgary, Alta. In 2004, Craig Collins of Loretto, Ont., was recognized for the hundreds of hours of volunteer service given to both Jump Canada and Equine Canada as a whole. Claudia Cojocar was the recipient in 2005 for the countless hours she devoted to the development of coaching standards. The Jump Canada Hall of Fame Committee was honoured with the award in 2006 in recognition of their dedicated support of Canadian show jumping. Victoria Andrew of Nepean, Ont., has been closely involved with the coaching certification program and the transition to competency based education and training, and she was recognized for her efforts in 2007. In 2008, Lisa Cieplucha of Georgetown, Ont., earned the award for her countless hours spent working with Equine Canada and Jump Canada as a valuable official, volunteer, clinician and committee member. Jump Canada Past Chair Elizabeth Bordeaux of Surrey, B.C., won the award in 2009 for recognition of her dedicated support of Canadian hunter and jumper sport. Barbara Mitchell of Orangeville, Ont., was honoured in 2010 for her dedicated support and development of hunter and jumper sport in Canada. In 2011, Pamela Law of St Lazare, Que. won for her countless hours of Jump Canada committee work, while Mike Lawrence, also of St Lazare, Que., received the award for his contribution towards the betterment of the sport while working on numerous Jump Canada committees in 2012. Margaret "Muffie" Guthrie of Guelph, Ont., won the award in 2013 for all her behind the scenes work on sponsorship and fundraising.
 
    
PHOTO--Michelle Dunn
 
France "Fran" McAvity of Vancouver, B.C., receives the Jump Canada Volunteer of the Year Award for 2014 from Jump Canada Chair, John Taylor.

CP named as Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year

Canadian Pacific (CP) has been named the Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year for 2014 in recognition of the railroad's renewed commitment to the sport of show jumping in Canada.

In 2014 CP took the reins at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, securing title sponsorship of both the Grand Prix at the 'Continental' and the $1.5 million CP International, which is part of the prestigious CSIO5* Masters tournament for a period of three years. The $1.5 million CP International in September presented the largest prize money ever offered for a single-day event in show jumping history -- making it the richest event of its kind in the world.

"CP's success is allowing us to have a stronger presence in the communities in which we operate," said E. Hunter Harrison, CEO of CP. "I'm honoured that Jump Canada has recognized our railroad's sponsorship of this masterful sport and proud that this partnership has allowed us to give back in a meaningful way."

The return of this iconic brand to Spruce Meadows brought with it a most memorable season of sport and increased sense of community. Ian Millar's historic victory in the CP International was something that Canadians celebrated from coast to coast-to-coast.

"We are thrilled that CP has once again joined with Spruce Meadows to make history," said Spruce Meadows President Linda Southern-Heathcott. "Spruce Meadows and the CP brand share a common history dating back nearly 40 years. In fact, CP is a cherished and founding corporate brand that has had a significant presence at Spruce Meadows since its very first tournament in June of 1976. Outside the ring, community initiatives such as CP Has Heart, where the railway contributes funds to heart health each time a competitor jumped a clear round  were illustrative of how truly committed CP is to the community and to each of its partners.  Like the railroad itself, our partnership is engaged 24/7/365."  

CP is also a presenting sponsor of the International Bromont, held in Bromont, Que., and the railroad has enlisted Ian Millar, the most decorated and renowned equestrian in the sport, to wear the CP brand.

"The contribution of CP in show jumping throughout Canada makes them one of the major supporters of our discipline, and I am proud that our events have been chosen among the Canadian competitions to benefit from their support and encouragement," said Roger Deslauriers, general manager of the International Bromont. "The city of Bromont, the team at International Bromont and its volunteers join me in thanking CP for its sponsorship."

Created in 2005, the Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year Award recognizes the significant impact that corporate sponsorship has on Canadian show jumping sport. Past recipients include Kubota Canada Ltd. (2005), Canadian National Railway (2006), BMO Financial Group (2007), Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies (2008), Frantisi Inc. (2009), Cavalor Inc. (2010) Samuel Group of Companies and Sam-Son Farms (2011) and Running Fox (2012).

PHOTO--Michelle Dunn
 
John Taylor presents Ian Millar, representing CP, with the 2014 Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year Award.

Jan Stephens Named Jump Canada Official of the Year

Jan Stephens was named the recipient of Jump Canada's Official of the Year Award for 2014.

Stephens, a native of Oakbank, Man., has been a member of Equine Canada since 1974. After completing high school a year early and with university still more than 12 months away, her dad gave her the option of going to England to ride -- an opportunity that she gladly took. This experience solidified Stephens' lifelong passion for horses.

Stephens' career in officiating started in the mid-1970s with local stewarding and judging. With young children, Stephens didn't have much of an opportunity to ride anymore but wanted to stay involved with the sport. The first show she remembers working at was the Victoria Day Horse Show, in Winnipeg, MB, with organizer Margie Teske.

During her very rewarding stewarding career, Stephens has officiated at countless national and international events including the 1999 Pan American Games held in Winnipeg, MB; the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, KY; 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, MEX; 2012 London Olympics and 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, MEX.  
 
In addition to her FEI steward status for jumping, she is an FEI steward for eventing and reining and has been FEI Steward General for Canada for these disciplines since 2008.

Stephens has been the chair of the Equine Canada Steward Committee, and been on the Equine Canada Officials, Competitions and Equine Health & Welfare Committees as well as a current member of the Jump Canada Rules Committee. As the chair of the Equine Canada Stewards Committee, Stephens also conducted clinics across Canada for the purpose of recruiting and developing new stewards.
 
Stephens loves her stewarding jobs because she feels that stewards are the voice of the horse.  

"We act as the advocates for the horse and their welfare is our primary concern, so what could be better than being a part of a sport/industry that deals with this mythical creature who dances, and runs and flies at our request," said Stephens. "What could be better than trying to be their guardians on the field of play?  What could be better than trying to ensure that all players have equal opportunity to compete fairly?"

This award is particularly meaningful to Stephens because she is receiving it on the same evening that that her friend and mentor Sandra Sillcox is being inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.  

"I owe much of my stewarding knowledge and approach to Sandy," added Stephens. "Equine Canada has many dedicated and highly competent officials. Thank you very much to Jump Canada for this award. I am both humbled and honored."

"Jan Stephens has been the strength and driving force behind our stewards program in Canada. As a tireless international official, she is a welcome figure at many shows and events. Without people like Jan our sport would not survive. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient of this award," said John Taylor, Chair of Jump Canada

In its inaugural year, the 2004 Official of the Year Award was presented to Tom Michiel. Other recipients include Francois Ferland (2005), Michel Vaillancourt (2006), Marjorie Dennis (2007), David Ballard (2008), posthumously Alf Fletcher (2009) and Sandra Sillcox (2010), Harriet Cherry (2011), David Esworthy (2012) and Kim Morrison (2013).

PHOTO--Michelle Dunn

"Jan Stephens of Oakbark, Man., was named the recipient of Jump Canada's Official of the Year Award for 2014 at the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala."
(left to right -- John Taylor, Chair of Jump Canada and Jan Stephens)

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