Horse Show Volunteer Extraordinaire Barbara Jackson

By Monique Noble

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a horse show — the impeccably groomed horses, the polished riders, the vibrant atmosphere, the thrill of victory. A ribbon passed from one hand to another becomes a shining testament to hours of dedication, passion, and commitment. Amidst the buzz, it might also be easy to overlook the lady holding the basket of ribbons, who is smiling ear to ear as she celebrates your victory. You might not realize that it is her victory, too. The ribbon she hands you represents over 50 years of dedication to equestrian sport and the Canadian Sport Horse Association (CSHA). That smiling “Ribbon Lady” at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping (RMSJ) in Alberta is Barbara Jackson — a longtime volunteer and passionate horse enthusiast.

In 2024, she celebrated an incredible milestone: 50 years of volunteer service to the CSHA.

Originally from British Columbia (BC), Jackson began riding horses at age 11 when her family bought a farm close to Ladner. Quickly hooked by horses, she knew by age 14 that she was a hunter at heart. The classic, stylish sport spoke to Barb’s meticulous nature and attention to detail and sang to her desire for a challenge and the pursuit of perfection.

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A serious competitor by her 20s, Barb was looking to breed her lovely Thoroughbred mare and develop her next hunter prospect. Her quest led her to the CSHA where she quickly became a valued member and an invaluable volunteer.

Glaydene, Ashton Weibe, and Barbara Jackson at Glaydene’s retirement at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in 2024. Check out that ribbon! Photo courtesy of Barbara Jackson

Since joining the CSHA in 1974, Jackson has devoted herself to the ever-evolving needs of the club, holding a variety of voluntary roles both provincially in BC and Alberta, and at the national level. Her contributions include serving as national president, vice-president, provincial board member, treasurer, and provincial vice-president. Additionally, she is a mare inspector, supports stallion inspections, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the constitution and bylaws at the national level, ensuring they remain current and relevant to the sport. As fellow CSHA member, volunteer, and close friend Lisa Murphy attests, Jackson’s unwavering commitment to the CSHA shines through in her dedication and interest. “The really dry stuff of constitution and that sort of detail-work really kept her busy,” says Murphy. “She would work very closely with the national board on our constitution and make sure that it’s up-to-date and reflects how things are sitting in the industry… not everybody is interested in the constitution. It can be a bit dry, but she’s been very, very involved in that governance part of the association, which is so important.”

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Since its inception in 1926, the CSHA has been registering and identifying sport horses. As market demands have changed, so too have the practices of the Association. The oldest sport horse association in Canada, it was the first open a studbook in North America to include European warmbloods in its pedigrees. The CSHA has always evolved as quickly and gracefully as the horses that grace its bloodlines. Jackson has been instrumental in ensuring that the standards of governance, the intricacies of bloodline management, and the calibre of excellence required of registered equine individuals within the CSHA are equal to those of any other warmblood association throughout the world.

Upholding the CSHA mandate to promote the awareness of Canadian sport horses, keep records, organize inspections, provide information, and assist breeders with trustworthy registration in keeping with respected international standards, all while incorporating horses of different breeds that meet those standards, is no small task. Jackson, a respected CSHA breeder herself, has travelled many miles to inspect prospective CSHA horses. Her keen eye has helped develop, improve upon, and progress the quality of CSHA horses. Talented new bloodlines are always welcome, as are new technologies.

With the introduction of artificial insemination and recipient mares, the options to have future generations and hopeful champions shipped across the world have become common practice. With parentage not always easily ascertained, DNA testing is now an essential part of breeding and registering CSHA equines. Shepherding the rules of order for scientific advances alone in the last 50 years would be intimidating; mix in social media alongside a growing global presence, and Jackson’s ability to navigate the hurdles of progress and learn new ways of doing things to keep pace with emerging resources is astonishing. Balancing these responsibilities while relocating to Calgary, Alberta to raise a family and competing with her own horses is a testament to her tireless dedication.

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Barbara Jackson riding Glaydene, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping 2021. Photo courtesy of Barbara Jackson

In 2023, Jackson’s extraordinary contributions were recognized with the Dick Day Award, presented after a hunter derby at Royal West – a prestigious jumper and hunter show hosted by RMSJ. The recognition was especially meaningful given her deep-rooted history in the sport. Established in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Lobsinger in memory of professional horseman and breeder Dick Day, the award celebrates exceptional contributions to the CSHA.

Jackson only recently retired her 17-year-old mare Glaydene, the horse she competed with since purchasing her as a five-year-old. Jackson’s voice lilts with joy as she recalls her competition days with Glaydene, almost as if she is astride her trusted mare sailing over jumps as she reminisces.

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“I bought her when she was five… I had a small budget and got lucky and found her. And oh, we had just the best years, just the best. She’s a horse with a huge amount of heart. And just oh-so-willing [as if saying]… ‘okay, we will do that now, sure yeah, we can do this. Sure.’”

Glaydene’s retirement ceremony was hosted by RMSJ where Glaydene and Jackson were celebrated by their fans, fellow equestrians, and the young riders who were lucky enough to have “Glaydene the Queen” as their derby mount. Now semi-retired, Jackson loves her revered position of “Ribbon Lady” at RMSJ and admits, “I asked if we could hold a retirement ceremony for her (Glaydene), but you know, that was just me wanting to order the fanciest ribbon in the world.”

Jackson’s taste in ribbons is as discerning as her taste in horses, and everyone is excited when she enters the ring with her bright and colourful basket of treasures.

“It’s a thing, isn’t it?” she laughs. “Recently at one of our meetings, we talked about that, when we do an inspection or give an award. And all of them …wanted something, you know, like they want a ribbon or a plaque or both. It has a special meaning. I don’t understand people who don’t want them. It’s like getting a gold medal… oh, you don’t want your gold medal? What the hell is wrong with you?” It’s a tangible thing that you can hold, and something that says you’ve accomplished a goal.

Ronnie Vregedoor (granddaughter) riding Olive, with Barbara Jackson in the Lead Line class, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, 2022. Photo courtesy of Barbara Jackson

Jackson says she is slowing down a little, but she still rides a 17.2-hand gelding regularly, so her “slowing down” still runs laps around most of us. Her goal now as she steps back a little is to find ways to encourage and engage new volunteers. She is always amazed at their talent and the innovative ideas they bring to the table. Barb encourages them to be creative and use their skills to continue the club’s evolution. “You have to bring in the new technologies and the new ways of thinking and the best way to do that is to have younger volunteers coming in, showing you these new ways of doing [the] things they do, because they have a life experience that I probably don’t have,” she says. “I only wish that I can effect change and find people out there as passionate as I am about the sport, the breeding, everything. And who want to step up just like I have.”

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The CSHA board has launched learning symposiums and other initiatives to engage and support volunteers. Jackson encourages anyone interested in volunteering to reach out, as talented new blood is always welcome. The foundations that Jackson has spent a half a century engineering with passionate dedication have ensured that she has achieved her goal of effecting change while simultaneously setting the association and future volunteers up for success.

Barbara Jackson with T.V. Comic, the Thoroughbred mare that started it all, at the Pacific National Exhibition in 1974. Photo courtesy of Barbara Jackson

Reflecting on her 50 years of contributions to equestrian sport that Jackson says “went by in a flash,” she is thankful for the many adventures she has had, and devoted colleagues, friends, and fans she has made throughout the horse world across Canada and around the globe as a CSHA member and volunteer.

Barbara Jackson is a CSHA icon, a lifelong volunteer, an accomplished horsewoman, and without a doubt a horse community hero. Her legacy is one of unwavering dedication, progress, and a love for equestrian sport. We thank her for everything she has done for the CSHA and the Canadian horse industry. We know she really does deserve the fanciest ribbon in the world!

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Main photo: Barb Jackson and Janna Tymstra, Tournament Manager at Royal West, Calgary 2024. Photo courtesy of Barbara Jackson