Equine Canada honoured the many outstanding achievements of Margaret “Maggie” Murdoch by presenting her posthumously with The Gold Medal Award during the EC Awards Gala, held Feb. 7 in Winnipeg, MB.
The Gold Medal Award is the highest and most prestigious of the EC National Awards, and is only awarded when the EC President proposes a recipient to the EC Board of Directors, and receives approval by at least 75 per cent of board members during a vote.
Murdoch perfectly embodied the outstanding criteria of The Gold Medal Award, which includes providing long and outstanding service to EC as a builder of the sport both nationally and internationally.
“We, the Murdoch family, are so very proud of our Mom for her contributions to the equestrian sport, and to her community, as a mentor and as a mother to many more than just her seven children. She truly was a trailblazer within and beyond the equestrian sport,” said Murdoch’s daughters, Barbara and Margie. “For more than six decades, Mom was involved in many aspects of equestrian sport. She saw and was a part of many changes. But, what fueled her passion for the sport was the people. Mom’s equestrian community was inclusive and diverse, consisting of seasoned Olympic veterans to those just beginning to show and officiate.”
Murdoch was involved with Equine Canada for over 60 years before passing away at the age of 90 in December of 2013 in her hometown of Orangeville, ON. She first became an EC member in 1952, and went on to become one of the most well respected stewards in Canada, and around the world.
After gaining credentials as an EC Jumping Judge in 1989, Murdoch added EC General Steward status for Dressage and Jumping to her resume in 1992. Before long, she obtained FEI Level 3 status as a Dressage Steward, as well as Level 2 Para-Equestrian Dressage Steward credentials. Additionally, Murdoch held the distinction of being the FEI Dressage Steward General for Canada for many years.
Outside of her active stewarding duties, Murdoch continually gave back to the equestrian community, generously providing her time and expertise as the Chair of the Dressage Canada Stewards Sub-Committee, Chair of the Canadian Para-Equestrian Committee (CPEC), and member of the Para-Equestrian Officials Committee.
Murdoch was truly an asset to equestrian sport in Canada, helping to raise the bar for safety, sportsmanship, and integrity. Her passion and involvement never faltered, and she continued to be active as a steward her entire life, including being appointed Dressage Steward of the 2013 Cornerstone Spring into Dressage competition last June.
Equine Canada is honoured to add The Gold Medal Award to Murdoch’s long list of accolades.
“The Murdoch family would like to thank Equine Canada and those who supported the giving of this prestigious Gold Medal Award to our Mom,” said Barbara and Margie. “Our Mom would have been surprised and humbled by this honour. However, she would have appreciated this recognition of her contribution to equine sport.”
Close family friend and FEI 4* dressage judge, Lorraine Stubbs, accepted The Gold Medal Award on behalf of Murdoch during the presentation at the EC Awards Gala.
Murdoch was the first recipient of The Gold Medal Award since 2009, when 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Al Patterson, past President and long-time ambassador of EC were honoured.
For more information on The Gold Medal Award, visit http://tinyurl.com/lgfvvrv.
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