Toni Thompson

If there was ever someone who demonstrated the volunteer spirit of dressage, it would be judge, show organizer, association founder, multi-association boardmember and volunteer extraordinaire, Toni Thompson.

Born and raised in England, and with her family deeply involved in the British horse industry and  among those instrumental in starting England’s Pony Club, it was only natural that Thompson’s life focus would revolve around working with and around horses. She began showing competitively in horse trials and showjumping at age seven, and during the Second World War she and her mother started a riding and driving stable to help meet transport needs in their area during gas rationing.

In 1949 Thompson arrived in Canada to visit her mother who had recently immigrated, and stayed after marrying Tom Thompson. His work with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation had them moving all over the country, and wherever Thompson went she was a force to be reckoned with in the equestrian community. From Trail, B.C. to Halifax, N.S. she started numerous associations and got involved as a volunteer, primarily in leadership roles.

Her association with Toronto CADORA began through a Pony Club visit to Christilot Boylen’s facility. There she had the chance to watch Cindy Neale (Ishoy) demonstrate the art of dressage. The impact of this experience eventually lead Thompson to start a London chapter of CADORA after her family moved there.

After a car accident terminated Thompson’s training and competitive career, her focus turned to volunteering, and once the family settled in Thornhill her involvement with CADORA really took off. Soon she became President of Toronto CADORA and eventually CADORA National (1985-87) and took on the huge role of Chair of Competitions at the 1986 World Dressage Championships in Cedar Valley. Around this time she also became a senior dressage judge, travelling to shows across Canada and the U.S.

Thompson became a proponent of “dressage for all,” which lead to her  taking on the role of Technical Director at the Ontario Equestrian Federation from 1986-1991.

In recognition of her many years of devotion to the sport, Toronto CADORA established the annual “Toni Award” (now Toni Thompson “Spirit of Dressage” Award) to recognize an outstanding volunteer who is also a member of Toronto CADORA.

Career Highlights

Founder, Trail Horseman’s Association, Trail B.C.
Founder, North Bay Horseman’s Association, North Bay, Ontario
Founder, North Bay Pony Club, North Bay, Ontario
Founder, Nipissing Light Horse Association
Founder, Sudbury Pony Club, Sudbury, Ontario
Volunteer, Sudbury and District Light Horse Association
Founder, London CADORA, London, Ontario
Volunteer, Horse Trials Association
Volunteer, Halifax CADORA in charge of organizing recognized shows
Founder, Nova Scotia Combined Training Association
Senior Dressage Judge
Judge at National and Provincial Dressage and Combined Events competitions
Member of many Juries of Appeal for CDI and CSI competitions
President, Toronto CADORA
President, CADORA Inc.
Chair of Competition, World Dressage Championships, 1986
Dressage Co-ordinator, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, World Cup Canadian Final
Organizer, CDI-W+ Toronto 1993
Canadian Equestrian Federation Executive Member
Vice President, Ontario Equestrian Federation
Technical Director, Ontario Equestrian Federation
Canadian Pony Club “A” Examiner
Chair, Dressage Committee, Pony Club Millennium Conference
Member of three NDC Committees (Officials, World Cup and Chair of Competitions)
 
 
 
 
 
In the late 1980s, in recognition of Toni Thompson’s dedication and volunteer efforts on
behalf of Toronto CADORA, the club established the “Toni Award.”  This award was
revised in 2008 as the Toni Thompson “Spirit of Dressage” Award and is given out
annually to a club member who demonstrates dedication, performance and merit and
devotes positive energy to the betterment of the sport of
dressage in the Greater Toronto Area, and beyond.