Rob, 44, a cardiologist, represented Canada aboard Risky Business at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; his wife, Suzanne, is a chartered accountant. “It’s a nice mix,” laughs Rob. “She’s the realist and I’m the dreamer; she keeps us within budget, usually.” Married ten years, they have two young children, Grace, 5, and Robbie, 3.
The pair grew up riding horses; Suzanne and her two sisters showed predominantly in the hunters, while Rob is a third-generation horse enthusiast who progressed from the Pony Club ranks to eventing. Suzanne was introduced to eventing by Rob. “At the time, I thought eventing was crazy,” she remembers. “With my first clinic I was completely hooked; I discovered there’s a method to the madness and the horses really love it. The atmosphere in eventing has so much camaraderie and everyone is really vying for each other. Eventing is very humbling, and it’s not always your day. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
The Stevensons are actively involved in the development of eventing in New Brunswick. Suzanne serves on the board as treasurer of Horse Trials New Brunswick, and they play a large role in the Long-Term Equestrian Development Program, a comprehensive program of coaching students with competitive aspirations. Their business comprises two operations: Foshay Farms, the original Stevenson homestead in Lower Jemseg that has been in the family for 50 years; and Foshay South, their “winter” facility in Lakeside, NB, opened in the fall of 2012. (The latter property was formerly the Gallaway Ridge Training Centre, operated by Equine Canada president Mike Gallagher.) Both facilities provide up-and-coming and established eventers opportunities to further their education without having to travel out of province.