Equine Canada Announces Mike Gallagher as President

Equine Canada is pleased to announce Mike Gallagher of Saint John, NB, as it’s new President. On February 8, Gallagher was elected president of Equine Canada for a one-year-term.

Over the years Gallagher has shown enormous commitment to equestrian sport in Canada. He has taken on a remarkable number of roles over the years—including competitor, coach, horse show organizer, judge, eventing technical delegate. He has also been the chair of the Canadian Eventing Committee, president of Horse Trials Canada, chair of Eventing High Performance, chair of Equine Canada Sport Council and a member of the Equine Canada Board of Directors.

Since 2000, Gallagher has been the director of the Canadian Olympic Committee representing equestrian sport on the COC Board of Directors, and he has also represented Canada on a number of occasions at the Federation Equestre International (FEI) General Assemblies.

Gallagher has also taken on the role of Chef de mission for the Canadian Equestrian Team at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, 2006 World Equestrian Games and 2007 Pan American Games.

“I believe Equine Canada has come to a decisive moment in its history when we are all ready to move forward to build the organization we have all dreamed of,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher replaces outgoing president, Al Patterson of Millgrove, ON, who has held the position since 2005.

“Over the past four years I have been able to rely on the experience and support of a great team of directors, staff and volunteers which made it possible for me to have the privilege of representing Equine Canada in many successful areas,” said Equine Canada immediate past-president, Al Patterson. “I am confident that with this continued support Mike Gallagher will embrace this privilege of leadership and will one day look back on the many successes of his presidency. I wish Mike and the board of directors the very best of success and my continued support.”

Under the current format, a fully elected 13-member Board of Directors manages Equine Canada. Two members are elected from each of the four divisions for a total of eight directors. The individual membership of Equine Canada and all of its affiliate associations annually elect one director to a three-year term during the Directors-at-Large elections.

This year’s new director-at-large representative is Canadian Olympian, Dr. Rob Stevenson, a cardiologist from Saint John Regional Hospital, from Saint John, NB.

“It is an honour to be elected to the position of director-at-large,” said Stevenson. “There will be much for me to learn. I do hope that I will be able to contribute in some way to the governing body of the sport that has so dramatically shaped my life.”

“The Board is the final governing authority over Equine Canada, and this year, we enjoy a powerful mixture of experience and fresh perspectives amongst our Directors,” said Equine Canada CEO, Akaash Maharaj. “As volunteers, our Directors come to their roles solely for their passion for the cause of Canadian equestrianism, and I know they will serve our country with distinction.”

The new board came in to power at the Equine Canada Convention AGM, February 8, 2009, in Ottawa, ON.

The following are the members of the 2009 Equine Canada Board of Directors:

President Board of Directors: Mike Gallagher, Saint John, NB

Treasurer Board of Directors: Robert Thompson, Dewinton, AB

Sport Division Representative: John Harris, Burlington, ON

Sport Division Representative: TBA

Breeds & Industry Division Representative: Dean Leifso, Elmwood, ON

Breeds & Industry Division Representative: TBA

Recreation Division Representative: Lynn Shinkewski, Esterhazy, SK

Recreation Division Representative: Jack De Wit, Brooklyn, ON

Provincial Division Representative: Mary-Ann Olson, Saskatoon, SK

Provincial Division Representative: Barbie Lewis,  Centre Burlington, NS

2009 Elected Director-at-Large: Robert Stevenson, Fredericton, NB

2008 Elected Director-at-Large: Michael Belcourt, Toronto, ON

2007 Elected Director-at-Large / Board Secretary: Edward Kendall, Saskatoon, SK

Equine Canada CEO, Ex Officio Member: Akaash Maharaj, Ottawa, ON

Advisor to the Board of Directors (Observer): Corlin Bordeaux, Surrey, BC 

Check out the April issue of Horse Sport, where Mike Gallagher will share his thoughts and goals for the future of Equine Canada.

 

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