Ian Millar

Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Birthdate: January 6, 1947
Hometown: Perth, Ontario
Coach: Self
Occupation: Owns and operates Millar Brooke Farm Ltd.

Ian Millar is the most successful competitor in the history of Canadian show jumping.  First named to the Equestrian Team in 1971, he has gone on to represent Canada proudly on numerous occasions.  With over 90 Nations’ Cup appearances, Millar has ridden in more team competitions than any other Canadian rider.  He is an eight-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion and holds the North American record for grand prix and derby wins with 145.  Millar was also the first rider to successfully defend the World Cup title, winning in 1988 and 1989 aboard the legendary Big Ben on both occasions.

In 1986, he was awarded the Order of Canada and in 1989, he was named Ontario's Male Athlete of the Year.  In 1990, Millar co-authored a book about his show jumping career, "Riding High", which was published by McClelland and Stewart.

Millar had his greatest success partnered with Big Ben, who retired in 1994 after 11 seasons on the international circuit.  Even in retirement, Big Ben continued to be honoured -- he was made a honourary member of the R.C.M.P. Musical Ride and was inducted into the Ontario Sports Legends Hall of Fame.  In 1996, both Millar and Big Ben were inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. 

In 1997, Millar became the only rider in the world to win their World Cup League standings for a record tenth time before embarking on a ten-month European tour.  The following year he was named to the team representing Canada at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy.  Millar had an incredible victory at the 1999 Pan American Games, adding the individual gold medal to his team bronze.

Following the 2000 Olympic Selection Trials, Millar was named to his eighth Olympic Team.  Due to the boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Millar has competed in seven Olympic Games, more than any other Canadian athlete.  In Sydney, Millar and Dorincord were Canada’s top placed combination, finishing thirteenth individually.

During the winter of 2001, the Millar family accomplished a very extraordinary feat.  At the finale of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit $100,000 Grand Prix, three members of the Millar family, Amy, Jonathon, and Ian, were the only riders in the class to go clean and move on to the jump-off. Jonathon won the class on Fine Line, Ian came second on Ivar, and Amy was third on Mill Creek Roseanne. Success runs in this great equestrian family.

Making his ninth Pan American Games appearance, Millar was Canada’s top placing individual competing at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Starting with a string of victories on the 2004 winter circuit in Ocala, FL, Millar recently anchored the Canadian Show Jumping Team to victory in  $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup at the CSIO US Cosequin Finale in Wellington, FL.

Ian makes his home at Millar Brooke Farm in Perth, Ontario, just outside of Ottawa, with his wife, Lynn, and their two children, Jonathon and Amy. 

In addition to his equestrian pursuits, Ian is also involved in real estate development in the Ottawa Valley. He previously had careers as a stockbroker, a hotel owner/operator and a radio broadcaster.

HORSES 

Aftershock
1992 bay Canadian Warmblood gelding, 17.2 hh 
Owner: Matthews and Millar Brooke Farm Ltd. 

Promise Me
1994 chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding, sire Lauristan 
Owner:  The Bakers Dozen  

In Style  
1995 bay Dutch Warmblood gelding, 16.3 hh, sire Acord II   
Owner:  Lothlorien Farm and Susan Grange 

Sweet Dreams 
1991 bay Selle Francaise gelding, 18 h, sire Olisco    
Owner: Scotia Farm

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