Equestrian Canada (EC) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Meg Krueger will be stepping down from her position to pursue an external leadership opportunity. Krueger will remain with EC through mid-October to ensure continuity during the transition period.
Krueger has served as CEO of Equestrian Canada for the past five years, leading the organization through a period of change and modernization. During her tenure, EC emerged from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigated an exceptionally demanding cycle of Major Games and international competition.
EC built in-house national results and rankings infrastructure, enabling expansion of national championship pathways across Hunter, Jumper, Equitation, Dressage, Eventing and Para Dressage, and subsequently launching the Competition Structural Alignment Project (CSAP) to undertake the next major modernization of Canada’s competition system.
Equine health and welfare became an increasingly prominent priority, including the modernization of EC’s Horse Welfare Code of Conduct, recognition of horses as sentient beings, development of a national horse-overuse definition and expanded evidence-based welfare initiatives and education. EC also developed and launched CHIP (Canadian Horse Identification Program), a national equine identification database and traceability program.
In the process of bringing equestrian coaching in line with national standards, EC advanced the professionalization of equestrian coaching through Coach Status and strengthened development opportunities for coaches and officials across the country. Ultimately this resulted in bringing approximately 2,000 coaches into the system with consistent expectations for screening, education, Safe Sport and professional accountability.
Throughout Krueger’s tenure, EC worked diligently to strengthen collaboration with its Provincial and Territorial Sport Organization partners and increase investment in education, curriculum, sport development and equine emergency response grants across the country.
EC also expanded its capacity in sponsorship, philanthropy and private-sector investment, notably including the launch of the High Performance Legacy Fund.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Equestrian Canada community, I want to thank Meg for her leadership and service as CEO of Equestrian Canada,” said EC President, Todd Walsh. “During her time with EC, Meg helped lead the organization through a period of significant change and made important contributions across many areas of our organization and sport.
“Meg has been a strong supporter of equestrian sport in Canada and has worked to strengthen EC, support our athletes and stakeholders, and promote the health and welfare of horses. Her commitment and leadership have made lasting contributions to our organization and the broader equestrian community.
“We sincerely thank Meg for everything she has done for Equestrian Canada and for equestrian sport in Canada, and we wish her all the best in the future.”
“EC and the equestrian community have been such a big part of my life, which is what makes leaving so difficult,” said Krueger. “When I look back over the past five years, I feel incredibly proud; not just of what we accomplished, but of how much we accomplished together. I have had the opportunity to work with an extraordinary group of staff, volunteers, Board members, PTSOs, committees and partners who care deeply about horses, the sport and its future, and I am going to miss those people and relationships enormously.
“While this chapter at EC is coming to an end, I know horses and the equine community will remain an important part of my life. I look forward to watching EC continue to evolve and build on the momentum we have created, and I will always be cheering for the people, horses and community that make this sport so special.”
The Equestrian Canada Board of Directors will announce its interim leadership structure in the coming days.
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