EC's annual program for recognizing stand-out contributions to equestrianism in Canada.
Nominations for all EC National Awards are open to EC Sport Licence Holders and/or Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) members. The call for nominations begins at the end of the calendar year and the selection committee reviews and selects award recipients by March 31 of the following year.
Self nominations are welcomed and encouraged. PTSO members are eligible to nominate individuals that qualify in each category.
The EC National Award recipients are chosen by the EC Awards Committee, with support and input from appropriate EC stakeholders and experts.
Breaking boundaries and setting an example for youth equestrians in Canada are daily motivators for me.
Averill Saunders
Junior Equestrian of the Year 2022
Read the full description of each award and determine if you know a horse, individual or organization that made a difference in the Canadian Equestrian Community that you’d like to nominate.
Awarded to an individual for outstanding service as a builder or accomplishments as a competitor. This is the most prestigious award and only awarded by the EC president and executive team.
2022 Recipient: Mark Samuel
Awarded to an individual whose contributions to the Canadian equestrian community are considered exceptional by their peers, and whose long-term service and dedication have contributed directly to the ongoing growth and development of Canadian equestrian sport and industry.
2022 Recipient: Cynthia Neale-Ishoy
Awarded to an athlete who has excelled in equestrian competition in the current award year while demonstrating exceptional talent, horsemanship, sportsmanship and dedication to equestrian sport.
2022 Recipient: Kelly Houtappels-Bruder
Awarded to a junior equestrian athlete who has excelled in equestrian competition in the current award year while demonstrating exceptional talent, horsemanship, sportsmanship, and dedication to equestrian sport.
2022 Recipients: Averill Saunders & Anna Swackhammer
Awarded to high performance horses with long-established celebrity or iconic performance status. This is the most prestigious equine award, and only awarded when warranted.
Awarded to an individual who so generously give their time to contribute to the advancement of equine and equestrian interests in Canada.
2022 Recipient: Kathleen Wilson
Awarded to an owner, individual or group who has progressed equestrian sport by investing toward, breeding or supporting a horse in competition at the national or international level.
2022 Recipient: Roberta Sheffield
Awarded to a horse that has had an exceptional performance year.
2022 Recipient: Buckingham
Awarded to an individual in recognition of the outstanding achievements of a coach in Canada, both for the performances of their athlete(s) and for exhibiting excellence in sport values.
2022 Recipient: Sara Compton
Awarded to an individual who is a representative of the principles of athlete development and fair play. They have demonstrated their commitment to the role of officiating in competition by offering equestrian athletes a safe, fair and enjoyable environment.
2022 Recipient: Colleen Hoffman
Awarded to Canadian breeders who have displayed incredible dedication to the Canadian equestrian industry through efforts to improve the quality and/or enhance the reputation of Canadian bred horses.
2022 Recipient: Canadream Farm – Marie-Josée Proulx
Awarded to a horse bred within Canada who holds an outstanding national or international performance record that has helped to enhance the reputation and visibility of Canadian bred horses.
2022 Recipient: Ireland
Awarded to individual or corporate entity who has delivered outstanding media coverage that served to enhance the image of Canadian equine interests to the Canadian public.
2022 Recipient: Spowart/Holm Equestrian Photography
Awarded to an individual or organization who has contributed directly to the improvement of horse health and welfare in Canada through years of hard work and dedication, or has demonstrated exceptional compassion and/or foresight for horses at the grassroots level.
2022 Recipient: Equine Guelph
The National Award recipients are chosen by the Awards Committee, with support and input from appropriate stakeholders and experts. Committee members are volunteers that represent a cross-section of disciplines, regions and industry. If interested in joining the panel, please submit an application during the annual call for operational committee volunteers.