Erynn Ballard

Biography

Heading into her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, Erynn Ballard was the second highest-ranked female show jumper in the world. She has been representing Canada on Nations Cup teams since 2006, but her first time riding for Team Canada at a major Games came at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games where she finished 12^th individually and seventh in team jumping. 

Ballard has enjoyed an impressive career surge in the months leading up to her nomination to the 2024 Olympic Team. In May, she won her first ever 5* Grand Prix title. She then recorded 11 podium finishes in 4* and 5* FEI competitions, with six instances of taking both first and second place. 

Ballard has competed at the World Equestrian Games twice, in 2018 and 2022. Ahead of her first World Equestrian Games, Ballard recently made a spectacular return to the international spotlight, winning the $100,000 CSI 5* Longines Speed Challenge at the 2018 Longines Masters of New York and being named to her first major games team for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, NC.

Equally talented in hunter, jumper and equitation, Erynn Ballard became only the second Canadian to win the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Championship at the 1998 National Horse Show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The following year, she captured the individual gold medal at the 1999 North American Young Rider Championship riding Leacock.

Ballard made her Nations Cup debut at the 2006 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament, helping Canada to achieve victory for the first time in the event’s history, and was named the 2006 Equine Canada “Equestrian of the Year”. 

A Little More About Erynn

Getting into the sport: Began riding with her parents at age five… Had a pet pony named Rusty… First entered the competition ring at age six… Outside Interests: Hobbies include Pilates and yoga… Professional trainer and coach for the family business, Looking Back Farm…Odds and Ends: Personal motto is, “Success makes you confident, and confidence makes you successful”… Known for her catch riding abilities…