Class of 2026: Mac Cone, Barbara Mitchell and John Taylor, and Texas

- Contributed

Toronto, Ontario – The 14th edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala, presented by BMO Financial Group, welcomed three new inductees on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, ON.

Following a welcome reception where guests had the opportunity to catch up with old and new friends alike, the proceedings began with opening remarks from Jump Canada Hall of Fame Chair Mark Samuel. The first award of the night was presented in the category of Horse (Jumping) and went to Texas, an Appendix Quarter Horse ridden by John Simpson at the 1978 World Championships and 1979 Pan American Games. Award sponsor John Anderson of Show Jumping Canada presented the Hall of Fame trophy to the horse’s longtime groom, Colleen Hoffman.

John Anderson (left) presents the Jump Canada Hall of Fame award in the Horse (Jumping) category to Texas’s long-time groom, Colleen Hoffman. Photo by Michelle C. Dunn

Master of Ceremonies, Mark Grice, next welcomed Equestrian Canada (EC) President, Todd Walsh and Karen Hendry-Ouellette, EC Manager of Sport – Jumping, to the stage to present the EC Jumping Committee Awards. Meghan Rawlins was named the Official of the Year; Mad Barn was recognized as the Sponsor of the Year; and Karen Sparks was honoured as the Volunteer of the Year. While not in attendance, Karen Long Dwight and Glen Fleischer of Take The High Road, LLC, owners of Ideaal ES ridden by Chris Pratt at the 2026 World Championships, were acknowledged as the Owner of the Year.

Barbara Mitchell and John “JT” Taylor were then inducted in the Builders (Individual) category. Craig Collins presented the award to Taylor, who gracefully accepted while acknowledging how thrilled and honoured his late wife would have been. A true power couple in the industry, Mitchell and Taylor played almost every role imaginable in equestrian sport, including that of selfless volunteers.

Craig Collins (left) presents the Jump Canada Hall of Fame award to John “JT” Taylor, who was inducted in the Builders (Individual) category alongside his wife, Barbara Mitchell (posthumously). Photo by Michelle C. Dunn

The final award of the night went to Mac Cone in the category of Rider. From one show jumping legend to another, Cone’s 2008 Olympic silver medal teammate, Ian Millar, presented him with the Jump Canada Hall of Fame award. With numerous family members in attendance, including his children and grandchildren as well as his brother, Cone gave an emotional speech expressing his gratitude for a long and storied career that put him on the sport’s biggest stages.

Tribute videos played before each induction highlighted the achievements of all three inductees and brought back fond memories and recollections of why all three awards were so richly deserved.

“I am so proud of what we have accomplished with the Jump Canada Hall of Fame,” said Samuel. “In the past 20 years, we have celebrated a total of 70 heroes. In telling their stories and celebrating their greatness, we have connected our industry to their amazing legacies and, in doing so, hope to inspire the next generation of champions.”

The Jump Canada Hall of Fame Committee wishes to thank its generous sponsors for making the evening possible

The Jump Canada Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize outstanding contributions to Canadian hunter/jumper sport. Following the 14th edition, a total of 70 champions have now been welcomed into the Hall of Fame, including 23 horses and ponies, 32 humans, nine organizations, and six teams. For more information regarding the Jump Canada Hall of Fame, a property of the EC Jumping Committee, visit Jump Canada Hall of Fame – Equestrian Canada.

To nominate a deserving person, pony, or horse for a future edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame, click here for criteria.

For more information, please contact Karen Hendry-Ouellette, Equestrian Canada, at jumping@equestrian.ca.

Main Photo: Mac Cone (left) accepts the Hall of Fame award in the category of Rider from his 2008 Olympic silver medal teammate, Ian Millar. Credit: Michelle C. Dunn