Throughout his career, the magnificent Dutch Warmblood gelding by Voltaire captured the imagination and hearts of show jumping fans with his physical presence, athletic ability, and the pure pleasure he took in jumping. Even in retirement, Altair continued to receive fan mail and visitors often stopped by Beth’s farm to see him.

Purchased in the Netherlands in 1995, Altair went on to enjoy a short but prolific show jumping career. Making his grand prix debut in 1997, Altair enjoyed a successful first season that included victory in the World Cup Qualifier at the Capital Classic Horse Show in Ottawa, ON. A paddock accident at the beginning of 1998 would have been career-ending for most horses, but Altair was no ordinary animal. As a testament to his bravery and pure physical strength, he recovered to represent Canada at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy, and also compete on the Nations’ Cup teams at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, the National Horse Show in New York City, and Toronto’s Royal Horse Show where Canada emerged victorious.

In 1999, Altair continued to awe show jumping fans with his incredible talent. After claiming the Canadian Show Jumping Championship at Spruce Meadows, Beth and Altair won the World Cup Qualifier in Blainville, QC, and went on to win the Canadian World Cup League. Members of the Bronze Medal Team at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, AB, Beth and Altair then finished runner-up in the richest show jumping event in the world, the $800,000 du Maurier International, held at the 1999 Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament where Beth was also named the Leading Lady Rider.

In October 1999, after jumping a clear round in the Pulsar Crown Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico, Altair showed his pleasure by bucking as he crossed through the timers. Unfortunately, his jubilance resulted in re-injury, and although he would return to the grand prix ring in 2001 to win the $35,000 Grand Prix at The Oaks, CA, and the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix in the Catskills, NY, in 2002, Altair never fully recovered his previous international form.

On Sunday, March 12, 2006 Beth’s famous show jumper, Altair, died at the age of 18 following a sudden illness. Altair is buried beside Beth’s house at her farm in Schomberg, ON.