Ian Millar says he couldn’t be more proud of his offspring who are not only following in his footsteps, but are excelling in the sport of show jumping.

The accomplished international rider grins with pride as he talks about Jonathon, 36, and Amy, 34, who all comprise Team Millar.

“If I were to leave here tomorrow, I would be satisfied knowing that Jonathon and Amy could run this place just fine,” Millar said during an informal interview at Millar Brooke Farm, just south of Perth.

It’s home for all three Millars; each has his or her own place on the 650-acre farm that Ian and his late wife Lynn founded in 1972… about the same time Ian began his Olympic quest.

Next year in London will be his world record breaking 10th appearance in the Olympics, where he is still chasing that elusive gold medal. He will be 65 when that happens. He says he may possibly be the oldest athlete in the competition.

“I don’t see too many 65-year-old sprinters… or swimmers,” he says with a laugh.

This veteran showman is far from retirement.

They recently returned home from a successful competition at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.

His list of accomplishments is staggering. Medals, photos, trophies and other memorabilia from national and international competitions cover his office walls, shelves, desk and tables.

He sits behind his desk in a big, fat comfy leather chair; leans back, stretches his  towering frame into even longer lengths, and clasps his hands behind his head. He’s thoughtful for a moment.

He talks about the variables at play during competitions like the Pan American Games or the Olympics… even the more local events, like the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Nepean, August 10 to 14 and 17 to 21, 2011, at the Nepean National Equestrian Park. He is the honourary chair as one of the founding members of the tournament.

“You have to have three things to be successful,” he says. “You have to be a student; you have to persevere and you have to work hard.”

He has been a student of the sport since he first sat on a horse more than a half-century ago at age 10. There is always something to learn, he says. He has persevered — nine Olympics is testament to that ­— and he works hard.

“It doesn’t matter what the competition is,” Ian says. “You have to make sure you have done your homework.”

He gives a little insight as to what that homework is all about. It’s like preparing for a high school exam. “You have to study all the chapters, not just one or two, and pray the questions will be asked from either one or the other chapters that you have studied.”

The biggest part of his homework is to watch the course designer and how that architecture evolves. It’s about the height of the bars, the width of the jump, the decorations around it, and how the horse sees those changes.

“I have to be able to perceive where that course designer is going in the design of the jumps and how it will evolve. I have to be about five steps ahead of him.”

Will the liverpool have a flowered edge — something that can make the horse hesitate or prance around it; will the depth perception be wider than the actual jump itself?

“It’s all about how the horse sees these jumps,” Ian explains. It’s about eye exercises and training both himself and his horse to see things that may or may not be there. The jumps are all about optical illusions and each course designer has his or her own signature snafu that they want to be known for, Ian explains… to stump a horse and rider.

How did his horses do at the latest Spruce Meadows’ competition?

“Oh they sailed right through it,” he beams.

For next year’s Olympics, or even the fall’s Pan AM Games, he says he’s even more prepared. And this time, he has more options in terms of mounts.

During Big Ben days there was just Big Ben and three consecutive Olympic showings: fourth in L.A. in 1984; fourth in Seoul in ‘88 and ninth in Barcelona in ‘92.

“We’re deeper in top horses now,” he says. “And any one is capable (of winning gold).”

His mounts include In Style, Star Power and Dryden. It was aboard In Style, the chestnut beauty, that he earned a team silver in Beijing in 2008. This year’s Pan American Games Oct. 25 to 29 will be held at the Guadalajara Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico. Amy will be aboard on Costa Rica Z, a 16-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Matthews and Millar Brooke Farm Inc. and Jonathon will have Contino, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Millar Brooke Farm. Star Power is a 10-year-old Dutch-bred gelding owned by Team Works, while Dryden is a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Susan and Ariel Grange.

Gearing up for Nepean, Ian says it’s a great opportunity for Team Millar to perform locally in Ottawa at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament, taking place from Aug. 10 to 14 and 17-21,  at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, located at the Moodie Drive exit of the 417 Queensway.

The first week of competition is highlighted by Sunday’s $25,000 Hayes Co. Grand Prix. Other featured events include the $10,000 Open Welcome, the $10,000 Peel Maryborough Mutual Insurance Company/Henry Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd. Modified Grand Prix on Saturday, Aug.13, and the $5,000 Broccoli Hill Hunter Derby.

AMY

The blond curls poke out of the back of her pink Grand Prix ball cap. She’s hidden behind her MacBook and has the phone cradled on her shoulder. It’s the administration efforts at Millar Brooke Farm that keeps her busy inside the barn, tucked away in her office overlooking the arena. With a business degree in administration from Ryerson University in Toronto, Amy Millar says she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. She tried that for a while, like most young women who experimented with other things, and a variety of sports, but she found her way home.

She says she loves the competition and has her sights set on becoming an international competitor.

“I love to ride, but I really love the competition,” she said. “That’s the means to the end… I enjoy the horses and the process and each day I learn to understand them more and more. Each one is an individual. X plus Y does not always equal Z, and it’s never boring here.”

Life on the farm is really “all encompassing” and she and her partner, Brad, and their one-year-old daughter Lily complete her.

“I always knew this place was a part of my life. It’s a big commitment, a lot of luck and a lot of travel,” she says.

Growing up, Amy says she was given every opportunity to ride and to train. Travelling as a family was something that brought them all closer together.

What’s it like being Ian’s daughter?

“He’s a hard worker and he expects everyone around him to work just as hard,” she says. “He’s a worker… he cares and he gives the utmost attention to detail. He expects nothing less than everything.”

Amy says Ian – which is what she and her brother call him at work and not ‘Dad’ – encourages them and is supportive every step of the way. When competing, the three are a team and not individuals, but there is a little pride when she one-ups her father in competition.

JONATHON

Working with the horses, building stock, doing research… that’s what Jonathon enjoys about life on Miller Brooke Farm. He too came back to his roots after a few years in Europe, the United States and various points between. He describes his life as “a lot of fun” and working as a family very rewarding.

“We all share a common goal and that is for each of us to be successful, and for our students to be successful. It’s a fun business to be in right now.”

He says the family travels up to 30 weeks a year and there is never a dull moment.

“Having Ian’s strength and knowledge to draw on is very valuable,” Jonathon says.

Ian says that having his children’s input is also important in the business. “All the great ideas of the future will come from young people,” Ian says. “And you better accept, embrace, utilize and adjust to it or you will make yourself irrelevant.”

Ian says his son and daughter have surprised him with their input in the past, “but now I expect it.”

LYNN

Ian’s eyes swim with memories of pain and passion when he speaks about his late wife, Lynn, who died in March, 2008, after battling two bouts of cancer.

They were married almost 40 years. Ian remembers their courting days.

“I’d just hop on a horse and trot on over and see her,” he says with a smile. “She was a lot of fun.”

And she was an integral part of this family. She was an accomplished horsewoman who rode right up until she was pregnant with Jonathon then she stopped riding. She became the barn manager and worked the business side and raised the children.

Together, Ian and Lynn built their business, which began in 1972 and now hosts a first-rate training facility.  The property features three barns, an indoor arena, a grass ring, a sand ring, a walker, trails and many paddocks.

Ian thanks a Perth physician, Dr. Ross McLean, for giving him extra time with Lynn. She was diagnosed with fourth-stage cancer, but that wasn’t her demise, Ian says. It was a second cancer that took her life. But it was thanks to a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Florida that extended her life by a few years. It was on the suggestion of an oilman friend, whose selfless offer to pay for an expensive cocktail of medicines to treat Lynn’s condition – and some alternative medicinal methods – that extended Lynn’s life by a few years.

“It was unbelievable,” Ian says. “For someone to offer to pay for something like that… it just goes to show you that there are people who give so selflessly of themselves. Lynn’s life was extended because of his kindness and because of Dr. McLean in Perth, who helped make it happen.”

BIG BEN

No one horse will replace the gentle giant that helped give Ian his nickname, “Captain Canada.” It was aboard Ben that he became Canada’s most decorated horseman.

Ian and Ben’s contribution to the sport is unparalleled: back-to-back World Cup Champion, Nations Cup victories, Pan American double gold medalist, du Maurier International Champion, and more than 50 major Grand Prix titles… not to mention the bronze statue in Stewart Park in Perth.

Ben was 23 when he developed colic for the third time. He had been retired since 1994 and ridden by Ian for 10 years. Ben survived two previous fights with colic and a traffic accident before colic hit him again in 1999 and took his life.

Jonathon says Ben and Ian’s farewell tour was one that will be remembered by many fans around the world. “It was a chance for the public to say goodbye to Ben before he was retired,” Jonathon says. “He was ridden all the time after retirement – he wasn’t just put out to pasture – and that was great for Ben because he was used to that lifestyle.”

Jonathon says he was in Europe that fatal day, December 16, 1999.

“It was a sad day for sure… for a lot of people.”

But like rebuilding a sports team, Jonathon says the horse stock at Millar Brooke Farm has never been better and Team Millar has never been more prepared to rock… and jump.

You may want to keep an eye on this next ‘Colbie Caillat’

Amanda Jordan knows what she wants to do in life – make music and help others who share the same passion.

That’s a pretty lofty, and highly attainable, goal for the 15-year-old.

Amanda is just one of six local students who earned a $1,500 grant from the Summer Company to help with set-up costs for her new business – Valley Heart Vocal. She is now offering summer singing lessons to children, ages four to 13.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said the articulate teen from the living room of her parents’ home where she has carved out a make-shift studio that overlooks Big Rideau Lake at Rideau Ferry.

“I want to be able to help kids who love to sing… help them to enjoy the experience. It’s nice to watch them grow in what they like to do. It’s good for kids to get into it at a young age,” she said.

She will teach her students about good posture, projection, stage presence, warm-ups, lip rolls, solfege (sight singing), and will sing harmony. She will also help her students if they wish to make a CD – maybe even one that shows the student’s improvement over the course of a period of weeks of taking lessons.

Amanda has been singing since she was six years old and has competed in a variety of musical competitions, including last year’s Rideau Idol which she won. She has made appearances at coffeehouses, and on television, singing for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario during fundraising events. Relay for Life this year was another coup for the talented teen, as she was the opening act.

She attends Canterbury High School in Ottawa – a school that specializes in the arts where prospective students are required to audition for acceptance. She will be entering Grade 10 in the fall.

“It’s a great school… we are taught so much. It’s tough to balance academics and music,” she said. “But I have met a lot of people who like the same things that I do.”

Amanda also takes private music lessons; studies the guitar with Mike McPherson; vocal and piano from Val Levett of Perth and has been mentored by Morna Douglas in vocals and piano as well. She teams up with her twin brother Thomas who plays bass guitar for some performances.

When asked how she battles stage fright, she said she is getting used to it.

“The more I do it, the easier it is. I don’t think about the audience much anymore… I focus on the back wall or something,” she said with a grin. “It’s getting easier.”

With the help of Tim Greencorn and Little Chicago Studios in Montague Township, she has recently cut a track called Don’t Turn Me Away. “I hope to get some air play with that,” she said.

Her style is a little like that of Colbie Caillat, the pop star whose hits include Bubbly and Realize.

“I really like her,” Amanda says, who also has a striking resemblance to the blond-haired, blue-eyed, California singer/songwriter.

Amanda says she is also inspired by the sounds of the Beatles and is tuned into Hot 89.9.

For information or to book a lesson, Amanda is available any time – call her at 613-283-0693. Lessons are $15 for 45 minutes. She will also offer reduced rates for multiple bookings. Amanda also has a Facebook page. Search for Singing Lessons – Valley Heart Vocal – Amanda Jordan, or email her at amandajordan676@gmail.com

SUMMER COMPANY PROGRAM

The Summer Company Program is one offered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and is aimed at students between 15 and 29, who are returning to school in the fall.

Successful students receive awards up to $1,500 to help with business startup costs and a $1,500 reward in the fall for returning to school in September. They also receive about 12 hours of business training and an opportunity to meet with local community mentoring groups for support and advice on operating their summer businesses. The program is in its 11th year promoting entrepreneurship to young enterprising students. For more information on the Summer Company program, call Cindy James or Shannon Derbyshire at the Lanark-North Leeds Small Business Enterprise Centre at 613-283-7002, ext. 108 or 109; email smallbusiness@LNLEC.ca or visit www.LNLEC.ca or join the Facebook page.

We often joke that it’s the longest month of the year so we might as well just party for the entire 31 days. Seems to have worked for the past 20-odd years since we’ve been friends.

Anyway, she brought up the fact that her man got her a really cool, old timer typewriter for her birthday. I was so envious, as my mother had been looking for one for me for the past umpteen years with no luck. Mom even called on her friend, the antique hunter, to keep her eyes open. No one was having any luck.

So when Max (that’s my BFF) told me she had just got one for her special day, I was thrilled for her. We tend to do lots of the same things – together or apart.

It was a few days later when she called me and said my gift had arrived and when could we get together for lunch. “I found you a typewriter!” She was pretty excited, and I was stumped for words.

“It was owned by a reporter for the Winnipeg Press,” Max said. “Kind of suits you, being a reporter and all.”

His wife sold it to the guy she bought it from. It dates back to the early 1900s, and I’m still trying to find out some more information about the original owner.

When I unveiled the 35-pound steal beast – it was wrapped in its original Underwood plastic cover – the 100-year-old machine was in pretty great shape… dust motes and all! The black paint on the space bar is worn down to the wood. The red/black ribbon still has ink as I carefully threaded a piece of white paper into the roller.

“THE MILL ON THE HILL WILL SEND A BILL FOR A SILL.”

The first sentence I ever typed was on an old Underwood, some 40 years ago. It reminded me of that day so long ago and to me, that was the best gift of all.

Thanks Max – for bringing back to me, a little piece of my childhood.

So I found myself a quaint little apartment in a really neat little village/hamlet/town – not sure what they call it. I’m in Richmond, only 20 minutes from the city. Far enough away, yet close enough to commute without a problem.

www.yourottawaregion.com – that’s where I’m kicking off my boots these days.

But in the meantime, I’m still carting the gear and taking in the area that I now call home… here’s a preview.

I was aboard the brigantine St. Lawrence II today for a two-hour sail as part of the Up The River celebration in Gananouque. The brigantine is a sail training program created with the intent of teaching young people from the ages of 12 to 18 the fundamental skills of sailing. This program has been running since 1954.The program is a great opportunity for young sailors to learn the ropes… check out their link: www.brigantine.ca for more information.

Just hanging out in Westport with some old ball buddies. We are gearing towards having a tournament, so we are going to hold another “game” in June next year in hopes to get more girls out. It didn’t help that is rained – like it usually did when we played our tournament during the North Leeds Ladies Fastball League grand finale. So, here’s to next spring girls. Thanks for a fun day!

I was at Wendy’s Country Market near Lyndhurst on Sunday to see what her ad was all about – a Country Hoedown. Her market is a distribution center for organic vegetables and meat and other produce – or at least a lot of it is organic or low in pesticide usage.  Not only does she grow a lot of vegetables – corn especially – but her market is the hub for other growers from Eastern Ontario. You can order online and her partner, Rick Trudeau, will deliver it. You don’t have to do much… let your computer do the work. www.wendysmobilemarket.com will get you to her place.

Getting to her space out in the middle of the country is not hard from Lyndurst – just watch for signs and a dirt road will take you there. When I arrived, the music was playing and the dairy cows that were fenced in a pasture on the opposite side of the road, all congregated as close as they could get to her hoedown… it was as if they wanted to play too.  Cars lined the parking lot and both sides of the gravel road. She’s at a four-corner stop, so the place was basically log jammed. More than 1,000 people flocked to the event that featured vendors of crafts, baked goods, fresh vegetables, and even cookbooks… and the Grindstone Cowboys.

There were chefs on site preparing dishes using their own produce and specialty lines of spices and sauces. Samples were offered to their customers, free of charge. It’s a great place to meet the customers, they said. An avenue where customers, producers, farmers and artisans united. A unique show for sure.

No hoedown is complete without the lively toe-tappin music of a bluesy, country band with a gospel flair. That’s the genre of the Grindstone Cowboys. They hang out on Grindstone Island on the Rideau and when they hit the lake from their Toronto homes, they stop at Wendy’s on the way for their groceries.

I shot a guy playing a guitar on his lap while he sat on a huge bale of hay. I asked Wendy who he was and said she would find him for me as they were on a break. We met up with another member of the band, Steve. He was happily chewing on some doughy bread, available that day from the local vendors.

“One of the perks,” he said around a bite. “She keeps feeding us.” He grinned and looked down at me through dark sunglasses under the peak of a straw cowboy hat. We talked a while, he said they had a cottage on Grindstone and they were often at Wendy’s to stock up on the fundamentals. She asked if they’d play at her shindig and they all readily and eagerly agreed.

“When it’s something like this we don’t mind giving back to the community,” Steve said. “She’s great and this is an awesome spot.”

I asked Steve who the guitar player was that I had photographed. Showed him the picture on my camera. “Oh that’s my little brother… he likes being in the lime light. He has this big head.” He laughed again. “That’s why he was sitting on the bale of hay. He likes all the attention he gets by being away from us.”

Just then, little brother, David, swaggered up beside me, munching on some sort of organic hot sausage. (It was yummy and you can find Haanover View Farms brand of meats here www.harvesthastings.ca.)

The dark sunglasses and the cowboy hats work for these guys… top it with funky black shirts with red embroidered skeletons and these Toronto entertainers fit the country scene just fine. It’s a different kind of show for him. Some research on this guy discovered that he has played with some of the biggest names in Canadian music history, touring and recording in just about every genre of music. As well as many collaborations, David has a series of self produced solo guitar albums. He is also a composer and plays a host of instruments – mandoline steel guitar, slides -  and is often heard in film and television. His latest work includes playing lead guitar with The Classic Albums Live series, the Director Of Special Events at The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association, and is currently a coach at The League Of Rock. He is now conducting guitar workshops and playing solo concerts in Canada.

The Cowboys are laid back, comfortable and approachable, entertaining the smallest to the oldest of the crowd. “They are awesome,” Wendy says… “You will have to come back for a private show.” She gives me that wink and nudge thing… I’m thinking I may take them up on it. Little Baco Noir on the sly.

The Grindstone Cowboys have a love  for Glen Campbell, mandolins and moonshine. They are: Chocolate Milk Man on vocals and guitar; Billy Bass on vox and poster design; Blind Melon Pie on harp and electric guitar; Jennifer Gentle on cajon and background vocals, The Gloveman on fretless bass, and Unkle Dave Bakon on The Gibson Console steel guitar, resophonic guitar, stratocaster and mandolin. The band even has their own sommelier, King Grindstone.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/thegrindstonecowboys#ixzz0v24SqHto

This weekend (Aug 1) David Barrett be playing in the Canadian Guitar Festival in Kingston. www.comevisit.com/vezco/festival/index2.html

]]> http://weirviewphotography.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/grindstone-cowboys-and-a-country-market-flair/feed/ 0 weirviewphotography SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC