For a decade now, independent investment firm Odlum Brown has been a Premier Partner of Thunderbird Show Park and the Title Sponsor of the Odlum Brown BC Open. On the surface, a wealth management firm and an equestrian show jumping venue might seem like unlikely partners. Look closer, and the parallels are impossible to miss.
In both finance and horse development, success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of patient cultivation, steady hands during volatile moments, and an unwavering commitment to the long game.
Just ask Chris Pack, president of Thunderbird Show Park.
“When you’re developing a Grand Prix horse, it takes 10 years basically to get them to that level,” he observes. “It is a slow, patient process that you intentionally build on while also being responsive when things are going off track.”
The same is true of investing, says Trevor Short, President and CEO of Odlum Brown: “Sometimes investing is a marathon. We play the long game for our clients.”
Built on Common Ground
The partnership, which began in 2016, blossomed naturally. Odlum Brown has team members involved in the sport, including an elite-level rider. Local clients found summer weekends at tbird to be a highlight. But the connection runs deeper than proximity.
“When you read about our core values, community is a big part of that,” Short explains. “Both organizations are built on building those deep relationships where we live. That’s been something close to our heart for many decades.”
For a BC-based firm, giving back to BC communities isn’t a marketing tactic—it’s the point.
“Thunderbird hasn’t happened overnight either,” Short notes. “They, too, have spent decades cultivating something special within BC that is true to its roots. For us, it’s about staying true to our core and giving back to the communities where we live and our clients live.”
The Emotional Equation
There’s another parallel Short draws—one that speaks to the heart of both enterprises.
“I think the emotional aspect of investing, particularly in public markets, is a key area where our advisors play a role,” he says. “It’s probably a larger element than most people understand.”
Markets, like horses, are highly unpredictable and at times volatile. Behind the scenes, forces beyond anyone’s control are constantly at work.
“Having a trusted advisor by their side allows our clients to stick to their long-term plans and avoid emotional mistakes that can happen at more volatile times.”
It’s the same reason riders rely on trainers, grooms, and support teams when they work with a horse, when an injury occurs, when the course doesn’t go as planned.
A Personal Tie
Short’s feet are firmly planted in the world of investment. But there was a time he dabbled in horses.
Years ago, when he was single with fewer responsibilities, Short and a group of friends pooled their money and bought a racehorse at Hastings Park. The horse—named Personal Sweep—had some success.
“I look back at those memories—those were amazing days. We had bragging rights on a couple of occasions.”
It begs the question every horse owner has secretly pondered, usually while staring at a vet bill the size of a small car loan.
Are horses a good investment?
“That’s a tough question,” he smiles. “I think not everything that is worth owning shows up on a balance sheet.”
At Odlum Brown, that understanding isn’t a contradiction—it’s the entire philosophy. Build the solid foundation first. Then live life in a way that moves the soul, knowing the financial piece is being taken care of.
As the Thunderbird summer season starts up, Short offers a final invitation. “The grounds are truly remarkable, it’s a really fun experience. I encourage anyone who hasn’t taken in this sport live to make a trip out to Langley. See it firsthand. It’s a spectacle in a glorious setting surrounded by people who love the sport and care deeply about community.
“We’re proud to be part of it.”
Learn more about Odlum Brown at odlumbrown.com.
