Janis ‘Jan’ Stephens of Springfield, MB, has officially announced her retirement from stewarding at international and national equestrian competitions after an extraordinary 50 years of service to the sport.

Jan, who first started officiating in the late 1970’s as an Equestrian Canada and Manitoba official, first earned her FEI Steward designation in reining, jumping and eventing in 2000. In 2008, Jan was appointed as the FEI Steward General for the same three disciplines, a role she proudly fulfilled for Canada in many subsequent international competitions. As Steward General, she represented Canada at the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Steward meetings and played a pivotal role in developing new FEI Stewards across the country. Her contributions include writing numerous articles and conducting multiple clinics for FEI, Equestrian Canada, and the Manitoba Horse Council. Additionally, she served as Chair of the Equestrian Canada Stewards Committee and was a key member of the Equine Health and Welfare Committee.

As Stewarding assignments go, Jan earned her spot among the best of the best. From Pan American Games (1999 Winnipeg and 2012 Mexico) and World Equestrian Games (2010 Lexington and 2018 Tryon); the Central American Games (2014 Mexico) and the Olympics (2012 London) Jan’s stewardship has taken her across the country and around the world. Closer to home, she has officiated at numerous Nations Cups including Spruce Meadows, The Royal, Thunderbird, Wellington, WEC, Desert Horse Park and the Super League, as well as at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and MARS Maryland CCI.

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