Jill MacRae of Bradford, Ontario, who filled many important Canadian Equestrian Team roles over the years, passed away on December 28 at the age of 72.
Over the decades, Jill rode for and managed stables for some of Canada’s top equestrians. From 1975–1980, she worked for Jim Elder as manager of Robert Elder Stables, and later at Juniper Farms for Bob and Jill Henselwood from 1999–2000. She was assistant coach/manager to Margie Gayford and Yann Candele during her time at Wingberry Farms from 2006–2014, and during her hunter/jumper competition years she benefited from coaching by Michel Vaillancourt, Mac Cone, and Jill Henselwood.
Jill during her CET years with her mom, Teresa MacRae. (photo courtesy John MacRae)
Jill’s contributions to the Canadian Equestrian Team were extensive: she was the Team Manager for multiple teams at major games, including the World Championships (1990 Stockholm, 1994 The Hague); Pan American Games (1983 Venezuela, 1987 Indianapolis and 1993 Cuba); and Olympic Games (1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona). She was also the Team Leader for the CET at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In 1990, Jill received the Rolex Award of Excellence for her contributions to the CET. Jill sat on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association (OHJA), was co-chair of the Ontario Young Riders show jumping teams, and was deeply involved in the development of young athletes.
Outside of the horse world, Jill worked as a bilingual secondary school teacher in both the Toronto and York Region Catholic school boards for many years, with specialties in French, physical education, and guidance/career studies. She was a soccer, volleyball, rugby, and field hockey coach, a student leadership staff advisor, and a curriculum developer.
Jill’s lifelong friend, Evie Frisque, fondly shared that they met in Grade 9 at St. Joseph’s Morrow Park School in Willowdale in 1967 and immediately bonded over their mutual love of horses.
“She was a member of the Eglinton Pony Club, and I was a member of the Toronto and North York Pony Club,” said Evie. “I lived on a little farm up in Oak Ridges and had a couple of horses, and she would come over on the weekends for trail rides.”
Later on, “We worked at Jim Elder’s together; she was the head groom, and I had horses there and was training with Jim as a working student. We had great years there. Jimmy was amazing.”
More recently, Jill assisted Evie with ring-decorating duties at Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave during the 2015 Pan Am Games. “Everybody loved Jill. She was just a wonderful person.”
Jill (left) with Sandi Patterson and Evie Frisque. (photo courtesy Sandi Patterson)
Reaction on social media to news of Jill’s passing was immediate and heartfelt. “I was lucky to work with Jill when she was Chef de Mission for Canada’s equestrian teams at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Jill was always positive and full of energy — very infectious,” wrote Cara Whitham.
“Jill left an indelible mark on our Canadian Team and all of us who were lucky enough to know and learn from her,” Beth Underhill wrote. Juergen von Buttlar recalled, “I have such great memories of Jill as our fearless leader at the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis in 1987 — I think it may have been her first major games. So well organized and with a fantastic sense of humour! Great woman, always ready to help.”
Jim Elder and Jill. (photo courtesy Evie Frisque)
Sarah Cross noted, “She was my phys ed teacher in high school, and it was always fun to have our extra horsey connection. A tremendous woman who accomplished so much and was always ready to get involved. She will be missed.”
Michel Vaillancourt “got to know Jill at the 1975 Pan Am when she was working for Jimmy Elder. We stayed friends from that point onwards … she was a great friend. She was also a great horsewoman. Nobody was more organized than Jill. We will all miss her.”
And Akaash Maharaj remarked, “I recall her deep commitment to Canada’s junior and young riders, and to helping the next generation of Canadian equestrians realize their dreams. Her life was a gift for Canada, and her passing a loss for us.”
A celebration of life for Jill is being planned for the spring, with details to be announced at a later date. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Jill’s memory be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
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