Equestrian Canada announced Canadian Olympic event rider Rebecca Howard as the new technical advisor to Canada’s national eventing team on Aug. 1.  

In this role, Howard will work closely with the EC High Performance Advisory Group, Eventing to further develop the country’s eventing programs with an eye to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The technical advisor supports current high performing athletes, coaches and trainers, and works to advance Canadian eventing talent to the world stage.

Howard, who is based out of Woodland Farms in Wiltshire, England, recently served as a U.K.-based team selector, and then as chef d’equipe at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. Howard will continue in her role as chef through the Pan American Games this fall in Santiago, Chile. 

“We are thrilled to have Rebecca joining in an increased capacity with the eventing team,” said James Hood, the EC High Performance Director. “She has shared her passion and dedication for the sport in her role with the HPAG so far and on the ground in Pratoni and the recent training camps and clinics she has helped organize for the team. We are looking forward to her expertise and enthusiasm continuing to support the great things that are happening in Canadian eventing all the way to Paris.”

Howard came up as a working student and Pony Club rider in British Columbia. She has represented Canada at two Olympic Games as well as at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Kentucky) and the 2011 Pan American Games (Mexico) where she helped Canada win team silver.

“Last year was a steep learning curve but one that I thoroughly enjoyed as we as a HPAG committee along with Equestrian Canada worked to get the team to Pratoni,” said Howard. “Now with that as a platform to bounce from, I am excited to continue—and to be working closely with our riders and help to keep Canadian eventing moving in a positive, competitive trajectory.”

In her new role, Howard will bring her background and connections as an international competitor into efforts to develop high performance sport programs for eventing in Canada.