Ottawa, Ontario—The Canadian equestrian community is saddened to learn of the loss of a long-time member, official, volunteer and industry pioneer, Sandra Sillcox, 74, of King City, ON, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A member of Equine Canada, when it was known as the Canadian Horse Shows Association, since 1959, Sandra was an Equine Canada (EC) Senior National and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) steward. She was accredited as a FEI—X steward for all the FEI disciplines of Combined Driving, Eventing, Jumper, Dressage, Vaulting, Endurance and Reining.

Sandra’s lifetime commitment as a steward began when she created Equine Canada’s steward program and developed the FEI steward program in Canada. She has been the chair of the EC National Stewards Committee and the head of the FEI Steward program in Canada.

Sandra was the Chief Jumping Steward at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the Overall Chief Steward at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Sandra acted as the Chief Dressage Steward. She was also the first National Steward General appointed from Canada to the FEI.

“Sandra was the mother and creator of stewarding in Canada. She also had a huge impact and was a major contributor to stewarding at the FEI level,” remarked Sandra’s friend of 42 years and fellow EC and FEI steward, Robert Smith. “Much, if not all, of the Equine Canada rules for stewards and stewarding are Sandra’s. She was a great person and a real supporter of all types of equestrian activities from jumper to trail riding to dressage. This is a terrible loss for everyone involved in equestrian sport in Canada and around the world.”

At her family’s request, memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, Cancer/Palliative Care Unit at (905) 836-7333 or to a charity of choice.

Sandra leaves behind her husband Robert and three children, Scott, Dana and Paige, and grandchildren—Nick, Devon, Mitchell, Thomas, Kendall, Carly and Kai. Sandra is also survived by her brother Clay Powell.

A celebration of Sandra’s life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday April 2 at All Saints Anglican Church in King City, ON. Condolences, as well as favourite stories and fond memories of Sandra, may be forwarded to her son Scott at ssillcox@ca.inter.net.

“The ordinary things that Sandra did every day always helped everyone,” noted Equine Canada and FEI Steward and Past-President of Equine Canada, David Esworthy. “She was very dedicated and very proud to do the great job that she did.”

 

 

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