Canadian show jumping veteran Beth Underhill was first named to the Canadian Equestrian Team in 1990 and has represented Canada at Pan Am Games (1991 & ‘99), Olympics (1992) and World Equestrian Games (1994), bringing home both team and individual medals. She operates Beth Underhill Stables in Schomberg, ON, coaching hunter, jumper, and equitation clients of all ages and levels while continuing to excel in the show ring, most notably with the talented Count Me In, on board which she won a number of big classes in 2019 and the $500,000 HITS Chicago Grand Prix in 2018.

But outside the ring, Beth, 57, has also had – and continues to have – a major impact. She sat on the Jump Canada board from 2004 to 2006, and the Equestrian Canada Jumping Committee from 2014 through 2019. During that time, she served on multiple committees including the JC High Performance Committee and Jumping Selection Committee, helping to determine the athletes best qualified to represent Canada on the international stage. She currently sits on the Royal Winter Fair board of directors and Royal Horse Show committee and is a busy cross-Canada clinician.

In 2015, Beth was selected as advisor for Jump Canada’s Young Rider Development Program, a position where she was responsible for generating participation in FEI Children’s, Junior and Young Rider competition. Her long list of accomplishments in the role she held for three years includes helping Canada earn an unprecedented seven medals at NAJYRC 2017 and another four medals, including team and individual gold, in 2018. She had a hand in the international Under 25 program, choosing teams and guiding the riders to top-six finishes against strong fields at the Hermès U25 Team Event in Wellington, FL, in 2017 and 2018. At the 2019 Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala in Toronto, ON, Beth was honoured as the JC Volunteer of the Year.

Beth enjoys meeting people and encouraging participation in the sport. “I give talks to various memberships across Canada and enjoy interactive discussions that are both encouraging and inspiring to the young entry, as I understand how daunting the sport can be when you are first getting started. I think telling my story and giving parents and riders tangible ways to navigate the industry is beneficial.”

Foreseeable Future

“My goals are to continue to develop my students and my horses with an eye to representing Canada on Young Riders and senior Nations Cup teams, respectively. I enjoy working with young horses and riders and mapping out individual short- and long-term training and competition goals. We are looking forward to competing in Ocala and Wellington this winter with a busy summer schedule in Thunderbird and Spruce Meadows in spring and early summer.”

Mission Possible

“I have become increasingly involved in various committees to help lend my experience and would encourage Young Riders to consider volunteering and educating themselves on how they can give back to the sport. I am also very passionate about animal rescue and will continue to do as much as I can to help animals in need.”