Brigadier-General Denis Whitaker was a true Canadian hero. A decorated war veteran, outstanding athlete, renowned author and astute businessman, Whitaker is remembered in the equestrian world as the founder of the Canadian Equestrian Team.

As Chair, Whitaker presided over the golden years of Canadian equestrian sport. He brought honour, respect and stability to the fledgling sport in the post-war years. He created the Canadian Equestrian Team in 1960 and divided it into subcommittees representing the three FEI disciplines of show jumping, dressage and three day eventing. Through his dedication and commitment as Chair, he raised the profile and fundraised for the success of equestrian sport through his media and business contacts. Under his direction, Canada sent teams for the first time in all three disciplines to the 1967 Pan American Games where, in show jumping, James Day and Canadian Club claimed the Individual Gold Medal and Canada won the Team Bronze Medal.

Whitaker successfully lobbied the Canadian Olympic Association to consider horses as athletes and therefore receive travel subsidies. Fully funded for the first time by the Canadian Olympic Association, the Canadian Equestrian Team sent teams in all three disciplines to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. There, the show jumping team won the Gold Medal. Presiding as Chair of the Canadian Equestrian Team until his retirement in 1979, Whitaker saw Canada win two Olympic Medals, two World Championship titles, and no less than 15 Pan American Games medals. In 1989, he was named a member of the Order of Canada and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

While Whitaker is known for his contribution at the international level, he and his family also participated in the sport as athletes. He rode with his daughter, Gail, and the family was involved in steeple chasing, hunting and show jumping. In 1958, he resurrected the Hamilton Hunt.

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