EC_Lifetime_08.JPGOttawa, Ontario-Equine Canada is pleased to announce Jack Pemberton as the inaugural recipient of the 2007 Equine Canada Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pemberton, of Toronto, ON, has been involved with Equine Canada, formerly known and the Canadian Equestrian federation, in 1975. He started as a member of the Regional Committee. He went on to be made an Honorary Life Member in 1980, and then an Honorary Life Director in 1981. He was also a past-director of Canadian Horse Shows Association.

Pemberton has made a huge impact on equine sport, and there is hardly an area in that he has not influenced. One of his earliest equine endeavors was the Carriage Association of America. Pemberton attended the first ever meeting held in 1960. He held prestigious roles in the Association, including director and chairman, and in 1988 he was made an honorary director. In 1968, he represented Canada for driving at the Federation Equestre International (FEI). He has been involved with the FEI ever since as an FEI driving judge, as the chairman for the FEI Driving Committee and now as the past-chairman.

Other organizations that would not be the same without Pemberton are the Ontario Equine Research Center in Guelph and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Pemberton was involved with establishing the Ontario Equine Research Center in 1981, and then later served as a chairman on the Center’s Advisory Committee for six years. His involvement with the Winter Fair started in 1964 when he started exhibiting in the coaching class. He became a director for the Fair in 1974 and still is to this day. He also served as the Fair’s president in 1975, and from1978-1979.

Pemberton has been a part of over 20 various equine associations in his life. He has been made a life member of the British Horse Society, the Canadian Combined Driving Association, Drive Canada, the Canadian Hackney Society and the Eastern Ontario Pleasure Driving Society. He was also one of the founding directors of Drive Canada and the American Driving Society. In addition to all his volunteer association involvement, Pemberton was also the chair of the Canadian Pleasure Driving Championships.

“When I first got involved with the Canadian Horse Shows Association, there were only two employees. Now you can see how equestrian sport in Canada has grown,” noted Pemberton. “I am fortunate enough to have stayed on the right side of the grass to see it grow to its present state.”

The Equine Canada Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pemberton at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala on Saturday, Feb 9, 2007, in Calgary, AB. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual who contributions to the Canadian equestrian community are considered exceptional by their peers and whose lifetime of service and dedication has contributed directly to the ongoing growth and development of the Canadian equine industry. It is a prestigious award, reserved for individuals of the highest exception. It is only awarded when warranted and is not necessarily awarded every year.