Saturday, May 14, 2016

Big Ben

The memorial to Big Ben (April 20, 1976 – December 11, 1999) with rider, Ian Millar, stands in the park, just west of Wilson Street where it meets Herriott Street in Perth, Ontario.









Big Ben's Career Highlights

Did you know ...

• Big Ben was Ian Millar's mount for nearly half of Millar's Grand Prix
and Nation's Cup wins.
• Big Ben was the first horse to win two World Cup Finals, taking back-to-back
titles in 1988 and 1989.
• Big Ben is the only horse to have won the world's richest Grand Prix, The Du Maurier
International, twice--- in 1987 and 1991.
• Big Ben placed in the top eight in the World Cup Final for five consecutive
years (1985-1989)
• Big Ben had more than 40 Grand Prix victories
• Big Ben represented Canada in more than 30 Nations' Cups and was a member
of seven winning Nation's Cup teams.
• Big Ben won the derby at the Spruce Meadows National six times in eight years
(The Chrysler Classic in 1986, 1987 and 1989 and the Shell Cup in 1991, 1992 and 1993).
• Big Ben is believed to be the first North American show jumper to win more than
$1.5 million in prize money.
• Big Ben made three Olympic appearances.
• Big Ben won two gold medals in the Pan American Games.
• Ian Millar and Big Ben inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
(Ben second of only two animals bestowed this honour).

For the Love of a Horse

Sculpted at Stewart Patterns, New Hamburg, Ontario by Stewart Smith,
Jean Abernathy and Ruth Abernathy

Cast in Bronze by Artcast Inc., Georgetown, Ontario

The contributions made by many individuals and businesses made
Big Ben Park "For the Love of a Horse" possible.
The Committee gratefully acknowledges their spirit of generosity.

The Perth and District Chamber of Commerce