A week after Mark Laskin resigned as Equestrian Canada’s Technical Advisor-Jumping, he has signed on as chef d’equipe of the Mexican show jumping team.
“The combination of his experience, drive and integrity makes Mr. Laskin an ideal fit for our community and for the next stages of growth,” advised a statement from the Mexican Equstrian Federation, which noted he will also act as the main advisor for the Mexican youth teams.
For nine years, Mark had filled his role for Canada after succeeding Terrance “Torchy” Millar. Mark was working without a current contract, despite continuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Mark Laskin. (Starting Gate Communications photo)
“I was told during the first week of April that a contract would be forthcoming,” he said.
“Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been delivered.”
Equestrian Canada is conducting a review of the Technical Advisor Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s director of high performance and FEI Relations.
“When I was hired, the Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Mark, 64.
“At that time, “Torchy” Millar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for two years as assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that Torchy stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada.
“I now find myself in a position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be welcome to apply,” continued Mark.
Equestrian Canada stated that after two Olympic cycles, internal stakeholders and funders of the high-performance equestrian system in 2020 recommended during planning for the Tokyo Olympics a review of technical advisor roles.
“Mark Laskin’s contract was in extension, and he agreed to remain in the role during the process and his input and expertise were sought,” according to Equestrian Canada.
“Mr. Laskin resigned from his position prior to the publication of the leadership review postTokyo, the completion of the job description, and the move into the hiring process.”
The job description and skills competency are in final review with a hiring target by Jan. 1.
Mark cited interference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resignation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Nations’ Cup team competitions.
“The leaders at our national federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” Mark stated.
“Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the current leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down.
“I feel very sad to be resigning,” he continued. “The management of an international team is a complex task that requires the full support and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.”
Mark’s decision was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee–Jumping, which includes former world champion Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Underhill, and Marni von Schalburg.
“We share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our committee,” said Mike Lawrence.
“As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high performance program and the process that is followed.”
Mark produced double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. He is a member of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.
“I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage,” said Mark.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”
which includes acting as chef d’équipe for the Canadian show jumping team at major games and Nations’ Cup team competitions.
He has been in the role for nine years after succeeding Terrance “Torchy” Millar. Mark has been working without a current contract, despite continuing to fulfill his duties at numerous events including the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Mark Laskin. (Starting Gate Communications photo)
“I was told during the first week of April that a contract would be forthcoming,” he said.
“Seven months later, the contract promised to me still hasn’t been delivered.”
Equestrian Canada is conducting a review of the Technical Advisor Jumping position led by James Hood, Equestrian Canada’s director of high performance and FEI Relations.
“When I was hired, the Jump Canada Board ran the discipline and EC handled the administration,” said Mark, 64.
“At that time, “Torchy” Millar was the chef d’équipe and I understudied with him for two years as assistant chef d’équipe. We worked so well together that Torchy stayed on for an additional two years before I moved into his role full-time. That was a successful succession plan, developed and managed by Jump Canada.
“I now find myself in a position where James Hood has told me that EC is doing a review of the role and will be compiling a job description and putting it out to tender. Almost as an afterthought, he added that I would be welcome to apply,” continued Mark.
Equestrian Canada stated that after two Olympic cycles, internal stakeholders and funders of the high-performance equestrian system in 2020 recommended during planning for the Tokyo Olympics a review of technical advisor roles.
“Mark Laskin’s contract was in extension, and he agreed to remain in the role during the process and his input and expertise were sought,” according to Equestrian Canada.
“Mr. Laskin resigned from his position prior to the publication of the leadership review postTokyo, the completion of the job description, and the move into the hiring process.”
The job description and skills competency are in final review with a hiring target by Jan. 1.
Mark cited interference from Equestrian Canada’s leadership group as another reason for his resignation, including recently being pressured as to which athletes are selected for Nations’ Cup team competitions.
“The leaders at our national federation need to have understanding and experience with our sport,” Mark stated.
“Unfortunately, Equestrian Canada has had many people in leadership positions that have no background in the equestrian field. That depth of understanding is integral to any future success of the organization. Equestrian Canada’s leadership group are making decisions that aren’t congruent with my philosophy. It is my opinion that the high performance program has been adversely affected and will continue to be in the future with the current leadership group at the helm. Consequently, I felt that I had no choice but to step down.
“I feel very sad to be resigning,” he continued. “The management of an international team is a complex task that requires the full support and understanding of the National Sport Organization, and that has not always been the case recently.”
Mark’s decision was fully supported by the EC High Performance Committee–Jumping, which includes former world champion Gail Greenough, Mike Lawrence, Beth Underhill, and Marni von Schalburg.
“We share Mark’s frustration at the lack of communication and consultation with our committee,” said Mike Lawrence.
“As the people who are ultimately responsible for guiding show jumping at the highest levels, we need to have a say in the high performance program and the process that is followed.”
Mark produced double clear rounds riding Damuraz to lead Canada to the team gold medal at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. He is a member of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.
“I am Canadian through and through and have taken great pride in Canada’s success on the world stage,” said Mark.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown their support over the years, especially the riders with whom I’ve developed strong friendships and shared so many incredible memories and successes. I’ll miss them the most.”