Canada finishes second behind Mexico at Thunderbird Nations Cup

Canada finishes second behind Mexico at Thunderbird Nations Cup

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Mexico won the CSIO4* Nations Cup at Langley’s Thunderbird Show Park when anchor rider Alejandro Winkler delivered a clear final round. (tbird/Kim Gaudry)

Ian Millar, Canada’s chef d’équipe also known as “Captain Canada,” led the national show jumping team to a second-place finish at the Nations Cup at Thunderbird Show Park. (tbird/Kim Gaudry)

At the CSIO4* Nations Cup at Thunderbird Show Park, top spot may have slipped just out of reach for Canada, but the team still finished with the support of a strong leader.

Mexico won on 12 faults, with Canada second on 16, followed by the United States (17), Ireland (20), and Australia (30).

For Canada’s chef d’équipe Ian Millar, the Nations Cup is about structure, pressure, and teamwork.

“There is zero room for error. I mean one mistake and you’re out,” Millar said two days before the competition, describing the margins that define the Nations Cup competition.

“It’s the absence of errors that makes it work.”

Millar said it is unfortunate that it can be difficult for many riders and horses to travel to tbird, despite what he considers a world-class venue where the organizing committee stands out internationally.

“They’re the most hospitable, and they really know what they’re doing,” he added.

“They always have the best course designer, which is a very important thing to us as horse people. It’s just a great place to come and jump.”

Canada opened the day with a solid first round. Riders included Langley’s own Tiffany Foster on Battlecry, Nicole Walker on Panter JVH, Gavin Moylan on Lordy-P, and anchor rider and Millar’s daughter Amy Millar that kept the team within reach of the lead.

Millar spoke proudly about his daughter saying he is both her biggest supporter and, at times, her toughest critic, while noting they keep their roles as father and coach separate in competition.

Also widely known as “Captain Canada” for his record-breaking career and for representing Canada at 10 Olympic Games, Millar said a lot of the result is decided long before the first rider enters the ring.

“I set up the order in which the riders ride and a lot of strategy goes into that,” he described.

“Typically what you do is the two experienced ones will be the book ends. One will open, one will close, and the other two go in the middle.”

That structure mattered as the competition was tight. Canada stayed within striking distance throughout round two, but Mexico kept responding each time Canada put pressure on them.

That ultimately forced the final pressure moment on their anchor riders.

Millar’s focus throughout the week was more about reading riders, reading horses, and timing decisions that don’t just appear on the scoreboard.

“You just need to know your people,” he said, describing how he manages the order. “And which I do, and so I’ll set it up the way I think it’ll work the best for them.”

Despite the narrow defeat, Canada’s performance fit into the broader season.

The event serves as a key international test ahead of the World Equestrian Games in August in Aachen, Germany.

Millar himself framed tbird as both a proving ground and a responsibility, noting the importance of experience under pressure when representing Canada abroad both in and out of equestrian facilities.

“When you’re riding for Canada, when you go to another country, remember you’re a visitor and respect their culture.”

While Mexico celebrated a Nations Cup win, Canada left tbird with confirmation that their structure and leadership under Captain Canada continues to hold.