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Canadian Dressage Community Loses Longtime Supporter

September 25, 2025

Ian Nicoll, 76, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

Ottawa, Ontario—The Canadian equestrian community is saddened to learn of the loss of long-time supporter, Ian Nicoll, 76, of Toronto, ON, who passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

As Ashley Holzer’s father, Ian Nicoll and his family became involved with horses when Ashley started riding at Sunnybrook Stables in Toronto, ON, at the age of 10.

The Nicoll family was inspired to become owners after reading an article in Horse Sport magazine written by the supporter of Canadian Olympian Cindy Ishoy, the late Dinny Burns Day. Burns Day wrote to encourage people to become dressage owners and see the world. The Nicolls took her advice and became owners, purchasing Ashley’s first horse when she was 13 years old.

Ian and his wife, Moreen Nicoll, were presented with the 2008 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year award at the Dressage Canada “In Celebration of Dressage” reception held November 13th at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.

Mr. Nicoll was proud of his association with top dressage horses, as he noted at the acceptance of this award. “We didn’t own them all but we cared for them all—Orsk, Reipo, Rebell, Kallum, Kronjuvel, Alibi, Apache, Elliot, Jornello, Imperioso, Gambol and Pop Art. They were all happy major competition horses that we have had the great satisfaction to witness develop. They provided us with countless hours of immense pleasure to watch.”

“I would like to offer my sincerest condolences, on behalf of the Dressage Canada Board, to Ashley Holzer for the loss of her father, Ian Nicoll, earlier this week. Ian was a great supporter of Ashley from the earliest days and I am sure that Ian will be sorely missed by Ashley, his wife Moreen and the rest of his family. I am so glad that we had the opportunity to honour Ian and Moreen last year with the Dressage Canada “Owner of the Year” award; their contribution to Dressage in Canada has been profound,” said the chair of Dressage Canada, Sue Rothgeb.

Dressage Canada and Equine Canada would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Ian’s family and friends.

About Dressage Canada
Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the national governing body for dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada’s objective is to foster the growth of dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials’ education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada, please visit the Dressage section of the Equine Canada site.

About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

Written by Julie Cull · Filed Under Canada, Julie Cull 
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