Each week on #HallOfFameThursday, Horse Network recognizes members of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame with an inductee’s plaque and historical photos. As the National Horse Show (NHS) continues toward its culmination this weekend, Hall of Fame Thursday remembers former NHS chairman Hunter Harrison, Hall of Fame class of 2017, with an article published in the 2016 NHS program.
Hunter Harrison Takes Another Victory Gallop Across the World Stage
For Hunter Harrison, the 2016 CP National Horse Show caps off an amazing year, the likes of which few will ever experience. The owner of Double H Farm may not have been in the irons in Rio this summer, but he was riding high as McLain Ward piloted one of the farm’s horses, HH Azur, to a team silver medal for the United States in show jumping.
Harrison had tasted that exhilaration before when Ward rode the Double H mare Sapphire to two Olympic team golds (2004 and 2008) and team silver at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games.
Hunter Harrison’s favorite memory, however, was watching his daughter, Cayce, win the North American Junior and Young Riders individual gold medal in 2002. She later married Quentin Judge, who competes for double H and has amassed numerous international wins.
“We have been very lucky to have been involved with some incredible horses, from Strike A Post to Sands of Time and Sapphire to Night Train. We’re very excited about our new horses, HH Azur and HH Conrad,” said Harrison.
“Yet, our all-time favorite was Coeur. He was an incredible athlete with a heart of gold. He and Cayce had some fantastic results in grand prix competitions in the United States, Canada and Europe.”
President and CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway, the CP National Horse Show’s title sponsor, Harrison said the show was a logical choice for CP to sponsor.
“This is our national championship, and it is in a beautiful venue at the Kentucky Horse Park. I hope the show continues to grow and attract crowds,” he said.
“Over the years the National Horse Show has become a stop on most of the top riders’ calendars.”
He is proud of CP’s dedication to improving the world at large. “At CP we consider ourselves part of humanity, so it’s our responsibility and job to give back to the community in ways that we can,” he said.
The company’s charity initiatives, in particular “CP Has Heart,” have raised $10 million in donations over the years.
Friends describe Harrison as exceedingly kind and gracious. Several years ago a neighbor asked if he could buy a small section of the property at Harrison’s farm because he needed room for a barn for his horses. Harrison didn’t hesitate to consent, telling his neighbor to determine the value of the parcel and prepare a sales contract. He signed it and made a lifelong friend.
Raised in Tennessee, Harrison enjoys spending leisure time with his wife, Jeannie, at their Double H Farm, which is based in Wellington, Florida. They have another Double H facility in Ridgefield, Connecticut. In addition to their champion show horses, HH has made a mark in breeding, buying and selling horses.
He will have more time to enjoy the farm upon his upcoming retirement from Canadian Pacific Railway. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada Pacific owns approximately 14,000 miles of track across Canada and into the United States, stretching from Montreal to Vancouver, and as far north as Edmonton. Its rail network also serves major cities in the United States, such as New York, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago.
One of the most successful railroaders in history, before joining CP he served for many years as President and CEO of Canadian National Railway, where he left a record of accomplishment.
A driving force in the railway industry for decades, Harrison has long been passionate about leading and mentoring young professionals. Most important to him, he said, has been “teaching them to work passionately, think outside the box and do the right thing.
Harrison began his railroad career in 1964 while he was a college student in Memphis. At the same time he was working as a carman-oiler for the St. Louise-San Francisco Railway. He was promoted to railroad operator there and later held the same post with Burlington Northern Railroad.
Harrison was frequently promoted to railroad operator there and later held the same post with Burlington Northern, where he later held executive positions as Vice President of Transportation and Vice President of Service Design.
In 1989 he joined the executive team at the Illinois Central Railroad as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He rose to the rank of President and Chief Executive Officer, in which he served from 1993 to 1998. The company was purchased by Canadian National Railway in 1998 and Harrison was appointed Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
During his tenure at Canadian National, Harrison was named 2002 and 2015 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age, a leading industry publication, as well as 2007 CEO of the Year by the prestigious Report on Business published by the Globe and Mail.
Over the years, the busy executive has shown incredible dedication to improving the sport of show jumping. Chairman of the National Horse Show Association of America since 2011, he is one of the sport’s most important sponsors of the last decade.
“The National Horse Show Association has been thrilled to have Hunter Harrison as Chairman of the Board,” said CP National Horse Show President, Mason Phelps, Jr.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that have proven invaluable.”
Harrison also serves as a special liason for horse show management to the North American Riders Group and has held advisory roles for such world-class competitions such as Spruce Meadows, the Global Champions Tour, the American Gold Cup, and the Winter Equestrian Festival.
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