Ian Millar Appreciation Thread

[SueL]

Mac Cone is also one of the truly good guys in the sport. I met him many years ago while in college in a clinic; he was funnier than hell, friendly and down to earth. I am very sorry his horse got hurt but happy that the rest of Team Canada carried the day under less than perfect circumstances.

Captain Canada is one of the superstars of our sport. He is so technically right on - but with this really soft, sympathetic ride. Very nice to watch.

The North Americans (US and Canada) done good. I only wish there were two gold medals to give out; the rides I saw certainly deserved them. But then, this is an objectively scored sport (unlike dressage, yuk to the scoring)

Fingers crossed that the US and Canada can sweep the individual medals

Sue

[workl8]

I guess I am not alone in my appreciation of the great team Canada entered this year. Millar is an inspiration for all of us older riders.:winkgrin: We were at the World Cup last year and Jill Henselwood was so sweet. She personally autographed a photo for my daughter and didn’t just sign her name – she asked my daughter if she rode and personalized the autograph to include my daughter’s pony’s name. Congrats Team Canada and especially Captain Canada!

[gottagrey]

[QUOTE=3Dogs;3454964]
extraordinary - the man is extraordinary. Watching his round this morning had me breathless. And tearful. Wonderful piece on him - that CBC site - thanks whoever posted.

Agree RR - Michael Phelps will be long gone…

but Dara Torres :D[/QUOTE]

Not to take anything away from Michael Phelps - let’s face it it is a great achievement however, he had many more opportunities to win - as do track and gymnastics. With Equestrian you have an 1100 lb partner who might not always agree with your strategy:lol: Yesterday there 7 partnerships all in synch. It was beautiful.

[Frank_B]

Ian made it easy for me to sit back and relax during the jump-off. No matter which team won, I’d be happy!

[Mtn_trails]

Congratulations Ian! He is truly a class act and deserves nothing less. I’ve always been a big admirer since the Big Ben days. He offered me a job working for him once, I should have taken him up on it. (I was working for another BNR at the time and thought loyalty counted for something. What was I thinking).

[lauriep]

In 1978, the Canadians were in Europe for the World Championships with us, and we were often at the same venues, including the regular Aachen show (which is also where the WC were later in the summer). I spent a lot of time with Ian, and got to know Lynn and him very well. And Ian’s certifiable groom, Pat (also known as Stella) who was a great friend. Over the ensuing years, I saw a lot of them at our U.S. shows and Lynn was always absolutely delightful, as was Ian.

Fast forward 20+ years to two years ago in FL. I had been away from the business for a long time and hadn’t seen Lynn at all since, oh, 1982. I saw her in FL during the GP, and damn if she didn’t remember me, my name, who I worked for, etc. One classy lady.

Way to go Ian!!! You soooo deserve it!!

[AHorseSomeDay]

Congratulations to Ian! That’s great. He deserves it.

[JustABay]

I got to see Big Ben in person when I was about 12, at the Royal for the Big Ben retirement Tour. I got to give him a hug, and got my picture taken with him and Sandi Patterson. Years later I got to meet Ian, and got my picture taken with him, and they are both framed on my desk and are 2 of my most treasured possessions.
There was also talks of a Big Ben Park in Perth being made, and to help support it Ian brought some of Big Ben’s tack (saddle bridle, halter and his own field boots) and there was a booth set up at The Royal with the items on display for everyone to touch and see. It was awesome to hold the reins to Big Ben’s bridle, even if it was just hanging on a rack. Ian is an amazing person, and has been my idol ever since I can remember. I am so happy he finally got his medal.

[FalseImpression]

When you register on the www.cbc.ca site, there is a opportunity to send emails to each particular athlete. I did and I sent Ian the link to this thread. I have no idea if the athletes do read those emails, but I thought it would be neat if he knew how many people admire him south of the border!

I find the site very very informative and interesting!

[Kairoshorses]

Captain Canada ROCKS…as do his kids. A few years ago, I was watching a jumping competition from Spruce Meadows, and I think his son got first, he got second, and his daughter third. What an amazing family!

And to watch him, at 61, do a double clear…well, it brought tears to my eyes.

So CONGRATS, Ian. You and your family and the team made us all–even us non-canooks–proud.

Interesting that the article about him has his last name spelled incorrectly (though it was correct in the text…!)

[TropicalStorm]

Couldn’t happen to a better guy :yes: He’s a wonderful ambassador of the sport.
I’m met him a couple of times now, down at Spruce, and I remember him being extremely kind to me. In fact, when I was 8, and just starting to ride, he overheard me asking my friend what a hand was (for height), tapped me on my shoulder and told his groom to bring his horse (Big Ben, although at the time I didn’t know what an absolutely amazing horse he was) forward and showed me approximately how to measure :D. Then he told me to watch for him and his horse in the ring who stood 17.3hh and was larger then the rest
(hah, the things we remember)

Yay Captain Canada!!!

[msrobin]

Way to go Ian! Your awesome. So glad to see you get a medal should have come a lot sooner. Congrats

[Minaret]

[QUOTE=Platinum Equestrian;3454647]
He’s such a class act. We met him once at the Invitational a couple of years ago, and he was so friendly.[/QUOTE]

I met him a few decades ago at the Invitational when both of us were closer to being willowy and, yes, he was so friendly! His goodness glows from within and it is a lucky sport indeed to have him as a role model.

Er, and 61 isn’t nearly as old as it seemed thirty years ago!

[SweatySaddlepad]

I’m very happy for Ian and Canada, congrats! One of the highlights of my life was meeting he and Big Ben at a World Qualifying event, I saw them compete several times over the years and win EVERYTIME. He and Ben could do no wrong, they were an amazing team and he is one of the best riders in the world and about as nice as they come. I look forward to watching them again in 4 years!

[Dakotawyatt]

Glad I’m not the only American that was happy for the Canadians! I used to watch Ian and Big Ben, and Beth and Monopoly all the time on Sports South when they used to show lots of Spruce Meadows footage.

[Mozart]

Just to give you an idea of how recognizable he is to the average Canadian, our local morning radio show had “what is Ian Millar’s horse’s name” as their daily Olympic trivia question. The second person got it. The caller also commented on how good looking he was and asked if he was single! (Sadly, yes)

My only mini beef is that I wish the owners of these horses got a bit of recognition from the media as well. Ian is a master technician of the sport but he is also well mounted due to the efforts of Sue Grange and Lothlorien Farms, who incidentally donate a portion of their horses’ winning to “Right to Play”, an association that makes sports available to disadvantaged children. I think that is pretty classy too.

[red_mare]

@TropicalStorm;3457973

Couldn’t happen to a better guy :yes: He’s a wonderful ambassador of the sport.

Truly a class act! Way to go, Ian!

[MaryG_reader]

I heard about this thread on another board. I had to come on and post. t’s clear to me that the people posting on this thread don’t know the real Ian Millar. No one who does would idolize this man. You have all been fooled by the smile he likes to put on. There is nothing behind it. I shouldn’t say nothing. There are plenty of qualities no young person would want to emulate and no smart person would idolize. It’s rather pathetic that public personalities can fool people in this way.

[Jumpster]

Ditto

DITTO. It is no diggerent than the "George Morris’ phenomenea in the US!

[Jumpster]

OOps

“Different”