Alf Fletcher Named Jump Canada ‘Official of the Year’ for 2009

Ottawa, ON – Alfred “Alf” Fletcher was named the recipient of Jump Canada’s ‘Official of the Year’ Award for 2009 during the Equine Canada National Awards Banquet held February 6 in Montreal, QC.

In June of 2009, the Canadian equestrian community lost Fletcher at the age of 77. In addition to being past president, he was also a long-time Equine Canada official and volunteer. Fletcher was an Equine Canada (EC) Senior National and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) steward. He was accredited as a FEI—X steward for the disciplines of Jumper and Dressage, and he was a Senior Steward for all Equine Canada disciplines.

In addition to his stewarding duties, Fletcher was a well-respected judge. During his judging career, he was a Senior Judge for hunter, jumper and western disciplines, and he also judged hunt seat, saddle seat and stock seat equitation. His versatility was evident as he also was a Recorded Judge for several breed sports.

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“Alf was not only a great official for the hunter jumper world but he was one of the nicest people you would ever encounter at a horse show,” said Jump Canada Chair John Taylor. “He gave so much of his time and knowledge. We miss him, but are pleased to honour his legacy as Jump Canada’s ‘Official of the Year’.”

“It means a lot to our family to receive this award,” said Fletcher’s son, Sean Fletcher. “The support we have received and the many different tributes to my father from the equestrian community mean so much to us.”

For his long-time dedication to the show jumping industry, Jump Canada is proud to honour Alf Fletcher as the 2009 ‘Official of the Year’. The ‘Official of Year’ Award was presented to Fletcher’s wife, Heather, son, Sean, and daughter-in-law, Kelly, during the Equine Canada National Awards Banquet in Montreal, QC, on February 6.

In its inaugural year, the 2004 Official of the Year Award was presented to Tom Michiel of Calgary, AB, who is past chair of the Jump Canada Officials Committee and also represented Canada as an FEI Jumper Judge. In 2005, Jump Canada paid tribute to world-renowned FEI ‘O’ Jumper judge, Francois Ferland of St-Jean-Chrysostome, QC. Sought-after FEI course designer Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, was the recipient in 2006. Long-time FEI and Senior Equine Canada judge, Marjorie Dennis, of Caledon, ON, won the award in 2007. David Ballard of Tottenham, ON, FEI ‘O’ Course Designer and long-time Jump Canada Officials Course Design Committee Chair won the award in 2008.