Since moving to Canada from England in 1974, Sue Ockendon has become a fixture on the Canadian eventing scene, best known as the organizer and force of nature behind the Bromont International CCI held each June in the picturesque countryside south of Montreal. Sue has also served on Equestrian Canada’s Eventing Committee and is a Level 3 FEI Technical Delegate. A busy official, in 2019 she served as Technical Delegate for Foshay International CCI, Will O’ Wind, Oakhurst, Ottawa, Equilibre, and Tandalee, and has also officiated at a number of US eventing venues.
Sue breeds sport horses at her Maplehurst Farms, not far from the Bromont show grounds. She voiced her worries about the lack of young people entering the sport. “I don’t think enough is being done to develop young talent and we won’t have enough people to come up through the levels for teams in the future. I’d like to see more programs aimed at the under-25s and at the grassroots level to develop up-and-coming riders.
“The Under-25 program is really important to me, as we have to foster young talent for the future. At the Bromont CCI, we will be running an educational program with Peter Gray, Doug Payne and Max Corcoran that will have coaching, stable management and a course walk. We’ll be offering some grants so under-25 riders from places such as BC and Alberta can participate.”