At A Glance
Born: Toronto, ON
Notable Achievements:
two Olympic Gold medals for team competition in Mexico City (1968),
team Olympic bronze in Stockholm, Sweden (1956),
two Pan Am team gold medals,
team and individual Pan Am silvers,
and two team Pan Am bronzes (Chicago, USA 1959; Cali, Columbia 1971; Caracus, Venezuela 1983; Mexico City, Mexico 1975).
gold medal with the national team at the World Championships in France 197
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One of Canada's premier international competitors, Jim Elder enjoyed more than three decades of success that has been rarely
duplicated in other sports. He led Canada's Equestrian Team to numerous victories from the 1950s to the 1980s.
A graduate of Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto, Elder started his competitive career in 1950 at age 16. He
was the youngest rider to win a place on Canada's national team. Two years later he captured his first major victory at The
Prince of Wales Steeplechase in North America. During his 36 years in competition, Elder has competed for Canada in seven
Olympic games, five Pan American Games, and three World Championships.
For his outstanding riding, Elder has won two Olympic Gold medals for team competition in Mexico City (1968) and the alternate
games in Rotterdam (1980). He also won a team Olympic bronze in Stockholm, Sweden (1956) and two Pan Am team gold medals,
team and individual Pan Am silvers, and two team Pan Am bronzes (Chicago, USA 1959; Cali, Columbia 1971; Caracus, Venezuela
1983; Mexico City, Mexico 1975).
In 1970, he won a gold medal with the national team at the World Championships in France. Elder has also captured numerous other
international classes and championships in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Venezuela, South Africa, and
Australia.
When not competing, Elder enjoys a successful business career running a commercial refrigeration company and his own stables.
He and his late-wife Marianne hosted the first Grand Prix Jumping Competition in Canada in 1961 and numerous other premier
Canadian and international competitions at their operations headquarters in Aurora, Ontario.
Elder is an Honorary Patron and Honorary board member of the Community Association of Riding for the Disabled in Ontario. He
is also active in the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, where children with physical or cognitive disabilities are
given the chance to ride horses. In addition, he has worked with Big Brothers of York Region and is a founding member of the
Toronto Polo Club. In 1983 he was honoured with the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian sport and humanitarian
causes.
Elder's passion for riding and competing has been passed to all his children who have continued the ribbon-winning
tradition.
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Inductees
