Bob Ballard, a well-known horseman and former Canadian Equestrian Team captain from 1950-58, passed away on October 13th. He was 96.
Born in Saskatchewan, Ballard’s father, veterinarian Dr. William Ballard, founded the famous Dr. Ballard’s dog food company, the first of its kind in Canada, which his son later took over. As a teenager, he got his start riding some of the horses from his father’s processing yard, and later purchased his first horse, a Thoroughbred mare, at an auction for $75. Over the years he purchased increasingly more talented mounts to add to his Toronto-area stable, and won many open jumper championships at local shows, including the Royal Winter Fair. Reject and Skip Across were his two most successful jumpers during that period.
In 1947, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King granted Ballard, who was not eligible to serve in the army due to medical reasons, the first-ever honourary commission so that he could ride on Canada’s military equestrian team. Admittedly not the best rider on the squad, Ballard did supply the team, of which he was captain from 1950-1958 and included Doug Hood, Jim Elder, Gordon and Tommy Gayford, with a number of good horses. He continued to compete in the US and Canada until his retirement form the show ring in 1960.
A celebration of his Bob’s life will be held by his family on October 18th.
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