Robert K. Irving of Moncton, NB, one of Canada’s most committed owners of high-performance dressage horses, died on May 19th at the age of 71. Through Windhaven farm – with bases in New Brunswick and Wellington, Forida – Robert and his wife of nearly 40 years, Jill, built a program on careful horse selection, long-term rider partnerships, and developing equine athletes capable of competing on the world stage.
Robert is best known outside equestrian sport as co-CEO of J.D. Irving Limited ‒ a conglomerate he established in 1977 with operations in forestry, agriculture, shipbuilding, transportation, and consumer goods, and subsidiaries including Cavendish Farms, Irving Tissue, and others. He was also an avid hockey fan and founded the Moncton Wildcats franchise in 1996, rarely missing a game.
“It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Kenneth Irving mark his passing today in Moncton, New Brunswick, following a courageous battle with cancer,” read a statement on J.D. Irving, Limited’s company website. “Robert loved to win and took equal joy in seeing others succeed.”
Since the late 1980s, Windhaven purchased promising prospects and established athletes to add to their select string, and campaigned a number of FEI horses in North America and Europe. These include Donnatella, Soccer City, Dio Mio, Florencia 22, and Hudson 18. Other Windhaven mounts include Grand Prix and Olympic contenders Genesis, Delacroix 11, Degas 12 (on the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Peru), and Arthur, as well as Knight, and the rising star Jaccardo, 2026 Lovsta champion Medoc, and Leeghwater.
Robert was named Dressage Owner of the Year by Equestrian Canada in 2017 in recognition of his sustained patronage of the upper levels of the sport, and in 2025 Equestrian Canada honoured Robert’s exceptional long-term support of Canadian dressage with its prestigious Gold Medal Award. Robert was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame, the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, and the PEI Business Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Order of Moncton and the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his extensive community involvement, generosity, and contributions to the province.
In addition to Jill, Robert leaves their four children: Megan, Meredith, Olivia, and Robert James, and grandchildren Warren, Sutton, Collins, and Fraser. Funeral arrangements will be shared at a later date.
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