Erynn Ballard, a tenacious, dedicated rider, coach and trainer, truly proved her mettle following a major setback in 2013. A fall left her with a broken collarbone, shoulder joint and scapula, plus severe nerve damage. Instead of taking a doctors’ suggestion to consider another profession, Erynn took some time off, bounced back, and is now one of the world’s top show jumpers. The 40-year-old is also head trainer and coach at Looking Back Farm in Tottenham, ON, where she began riding at age five under parents Dave and Sandi Ballard, the well-known FEI course designer and coach/trainer, respectively.
As a junior, Ballard’s work ethic and proficiency in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings earned her notable achievements and accolades, including collecting medals at three North American Young Riders’ Championships. Ballard also captured the 1998 ASPCA Maclay Championship – only the second Canadian at the time to win the prestigious equitation title.
Making her Nations Cup debut in 2006 at the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, she helped team Canada win the event for the first time in its 30-year history and later that year was named Equine Canada’s Equestrian of the Year. Since then she has represented the country at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC (Darkos Promise) and the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where she and Fellini S posted the only Canadian double clear. In fact, 2019 was the rider’s most successful year to date on the international stage. She was Canada’s third-ranked show jumper and rode in three Nations Cups, among many other highlights.
Erynn’s large and successful client base includes Jeff Brandmaier, Muffie Guthrie, Danny and Stevie Murphy, Caren Morassutti, and Mackenzie Wray, to name just a handful. She has brought numerous hunters and jumpers up the ranks, currently campaigning and winning in Wellington with Jewel LVP, Harvester, Equifit Salvatore 29, Bettina Des Celtes, Fayenka Sitte and Hathina Z.
Foreseeable Future
“Of course, the 2020 Olympics are on everyone’s mind. We don’t know if we have a spot as a team yet. It will be hard to qualify as an individual, but 100% it’s on our radar. If not, just continuing to grow and improve in the sport is my main priority.”
Memorable Moments
“I’ve had too many to pick just one. Maclay Finals was huge, winning the Nations Cup in Calgary was HUGE! Jumping double clean in Lima for the Canadian team is also pretty special. I also am incredibly proud of the business, horses and riders that we have produced for our sport.”
