Jump Canada Finalizes New Competitions Policy

Open Letter from the Chair of Jump Canada

In March of 2010, Jump Canada established a Task Force to review its current competition policy, to update it for future years, and to address the continuing need to stay current with the existing status of the sport in Canada.

The Task Force was charged with examining all aspects of the current Jump Canada Competitions Policy (JCCP) and recommending any changes to the current policy that would better serve our sport. The Task Force was chaired by Bob Henselwood.

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Subsequently, the Jump Canada Board held a productive open house at the Equine Canada Convention in January of 2011 in Ottawa to consider and discuss the Task Force recommendations on competition exclusivity. The Board then followed up with a lengthy and highly productive consideration of the Task Force report and recommendations during its regularly scheduled Board meeting on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

The Jump Canada Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the time and efforts of the original Task Force members. While none of the Task Force recommendations were specifically adopted, the Board did agree to create three working groups to further study, revise and build upon some of the recommendations. All conflicts of interest on the Jump Canada Board and within the working groups, whether real or perceived, were acknowledged and addressed professionally and appropriately. The three working groups then diligently pursued their mandates and reported back to the Jump Canada Board at Board meetings held in March and May of 2011.

Throughout the process, the Jump Canada Board has kept the best interests of the sport and the industry in mind. Following a long, thoughtful and inclusive process, the Jump Canada Board has agreed upon a new direction with regard to the approval of EC Gold and Platinum Competitions and the granting of exclusive dates. As a result, there will be a reduction in the number of exclusive dates granted across the country starting in 2012. It is hoped that a more dynamic, open and vital industry will emerge as a result. Approvals for these changes, in principle, have been received from Sport Council and the Equine Canada Board.

The revised Jump Canada Competition Policy will be in effect for the 2012 competition season. The Jump Canada Board has undertaken this task very seriously and, thanks to its Board members, the working groups, and to the original Task Force, Jump Canada was able to meet the tight timelines required to implement the new policies.

As Chair of Jump Canada, I would like to thank and congratulate all of the groups involved in this arduous and daunting task. Jump Canada is confident that the resulting policy will be beneficial to the sport and to the Jump Canada community as a whole.

The link to the new JCCP is available here: JC Competition Policy

John Taylor
Chair, Jump Canada Board

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