Ottawa, Ontario — Equine Canada’s Recreation Division and the Provincial Equestrian Federations are delighted to announce that the dates for Horse Week 2007 have been set.
 
“I am happy to announce the date for the sixth annual Horse Week is June 2-10,” stated Jack De Wit, Chair of the Horse Week 2007 Committee, and Equine Canada board member. “After the phenomenal success of Horse Week 2006, I challenge equine enthusiast from all disciplines to top last year’s performance. Let’s show everyone Canadians are in love with the horse.”
 
Held annually to promote and celebrate Canada’s thriving horse industry, Horse Week appeals to both horse enthusiasts and the public alike. Featuring a wide range of activities held across the country, including trail rides, equine showcases, charity events, RCMP musical rides and competitions of all kinds, Horse Week has been growing steadily since its inception in 2002.  For Horse Week 2006, hundreds of school children were treated to live demonstrations, classroom presentations and creative arts classes, as teachers in a number of Canadian cities incorporated Horse Week into their lesson plans.
 
Horse lovers of all kinds, from competitors and recreational riders, to teachers and breeders are invited to participate in Horse Week 2007 by creating, organizing and registering their own Horse Week event, or by keeping their eye on Equine Canada’s website, www.equinecanada.ca for a list of registered events in their area. Be sure to bring a camera along to the events, and snap pictures for the Horse Week 2007 Photo Gallery!
 
The Horse Week Committee encourages horse lovers 17 years of age and under to enter the Horse Week 2007 ‘Kids Contest’ for the chance to win great prizes. With three different age groups, and four different categories to choose from, participants are encouraged to get together and let their creative sides shine! Featuring the categories of Poems, Essays, Artwork and Miscellaneous (which can include anything from illustrated stories to sculptures), this is the chance to create something special around the theme of ‘A Horse of Course’.
 
If you would like to have your company marketed nationally as an Official Sponsor of 2007 Horse Week, please contact Equine Canada Marketing Coordinator, Cheryl Tataryn at 613-248-3433 x 111 or ctataryn@equinecanada.ca
 
Watch www.equinecanada.ca for more Horse Week information and updates.
 

 

Ottawa, Ontario— Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the recipients of the Dressage Canada Rider Award, based on results from the 2006 competition season.
 
Open to Dressage Canada members competing at National or International competitions, the Rider Awards are split into three different categories, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
 
Bronze Awards are given to riders competing at the Training and First Levels, who receive four scores of 63% or more from three different judges during the competition year. Silver Awards are given to riders competing in the Second, Third and Fourth Levels, who have received four scores of 60% or more. Riders in the Training through Third Levels must receive this score from at least three different judges, while competitors at Fourth Level require the score from two judges.
 
FEI Child & Pony tests are counted as Second Level, FEI Junior tests as Third Level and FEI Young Rider tests as Prix St Georges. FEI Young Horse 5 Year Old tests are counted as Second Level and 6 Year Old tests as Third Level.
 
The prestigious Gold Awards are given to riders competing in the Advanced divisions (Prix St Georges, Intermediaire I, Intermediaire II and Grand Prix), who receive four scores of at least 60% from at least two different judges.
 
The following competitors received Rider Awards for the 2006 competition year:
 

 
Bronze     Training     Lori Albrough     Bluebird Lane Kestrel
Bronze     Training     Francine Bell     Royal T
Bronze     Training     Sarah Byram     Traumtanzer
Bronze     Training     Brandy Catton   Welwyn
Bronze     Training     Fiona Christensen   Finnegan
Bronze     Training     Vivian Cornell    Secret Agent Man
Bronze     Training     Isauro  Flores    Weltwynd
Bronze     Training     Jane Garbutt     Hemmingway
Bronze     Training     Kristen Guest   Gryffindor
Bronze     Training     Leslie Hunt   Gardez
Bronze     Training     Ruth Lick     Mombasa
Bronze   Training     Alison Martin   Valencio
Bronze   Training    Sue Pallotta    Brinley
Bronze   Training    Katelyn Penner    El Kazan
Bronze   Training    Laura Robb    Look At Me Too
 
 
 
Bronze     First     Hilary Clayton     MSU Fanfare
Bronze     First     Vivian Cornell     Secret Agent Man
Bronze     First     Deborah Dalseg     Cameo JRF
Bronze     First     Kimberley Francey    Unison
Bronze     First     Monica McNaught     Vex
Bronze     First     Krystalann Shingler     Tividor
Bronze     First     Andrea Taylor
Bronze     First     Lisa Wood     Farrah
 
Silver     Second     Brandy Catton     Baroque
Silver     Second     Hilary Clayton     MSU Fanfare
Silver     Second     Heather Brookes     Lola
Silver     Second     Vivian Cornell     Heidschnucke
Silver     Second     Isauro Flores     For Paragon
Silver     Second     Erin Gibson     Kaden
Silver     Second     Jamie Holland     Fleurina
Silver     Second     Melanie Houston     Odaymira
Silver     Second     Erin Josey     Regala
Silver    Second     Jean Helen Klassen     My King’s Elusive Spirit
Silver    Second     Alain Provencher     Ricci
Silver    Second     Victoria Barnes     HS Robi
Silver    Second     Krystalann Shingler    Tividor
Silver     Third     Kim Berenbaum     Adelmo
Silver     Third     Lori Albrough     Prisco
Silver     Third     Claire Austring     Springtree Legacy
Silver     Third     Vivian Hemsley     Debussy
Silver     Third     Melanie Houston    Odaymira
Silver     Third     Amy Jager     Jive
Silver     Third     Laura Lippert     Fifth Avenue
Silver     Third     Natalie Maskell     Venus
Silver     Third     Joanne White     Summerhill
Silver     Third     Jennifer Wood     Tia Maria
Silver     Third FS     Amy Jager     Jive
Silver     Fourth     Andrea Bresee     L’Amistad 22
Silver     Fourth     Irene Hill     Montevideo
Silver     Fourth     Cindy Pronovost     Ilios
Silver     Fourth     Mireille Ulibarri     Renoir
Silver     Fourth     Francine Bell     Royal Senna
Silver     Fourth FS     Francine Bell     Royal Senna
 
Gold     PSG     Claire Austring     Springtree Legacy
Gold     PSG     Hilary Clayton     MSU Magic J
Gold     PSG     Tara Dougans     Nashua
Gold     PSG     Briannon Johnson     La Valse
Gold     PSG     Mireille Ulibarri     Renoir
Gold     Inter 1     Karen Pavicic     Lionheart
Gold     Inter 1 FS     Andrea Bresee     Raffles
Gold     Inter 1 FS     Joan Johnston     KRS Wessel
Gold     Inter 1 FS     Gillian Sutherland     Great Tyme
Gold    Grand Prix     Andrea Taylor    Pfalstaff
           
To qualify to receive Rider Awards, competitors must make a one-time lifelong registration, and pay the fee of $50. For the 2007 Awards, score report forms must be submitted to Dressage Manager Christine Peters by November 30, 2007.

For more information on how to register for the awards program in 2007, visit www.dressagecanada.org.

 

Ottawa, Ontario— The Dressage Canada Competitions Committee is pleased to honour seven Dressage Canada members, nominated and recognized for their service to Canadian dressage competitions.

“Dressage competitions could not exist without our dedicated volunteers,” said Anne Welch, Chair of Dressage Canada Competitions Committee. “They not only bring excellent skills, but also enthusiasm and love for this sport which is evident at each and every competition across this country.”

The Competitions Committee congratulates the following volunteers for their outstanding contributions to Dressage Canada:

Gwen Beaton and George Beaton (British Columbia)
Gwen and her late husband George have been involved with, and have run competitions for longer than anyone can remember in the Okanagan Valley. Their energy has guaranteed everything from gourmet lunches to perfectly groomed competition rings. In addition, you will find Gwen at the competition acting as one of the region’s best scribes, and there are many memories of George’s sultry tone announcing throughout the show grounds.
 
Shirley Guertin-Cook (Ontario)
Shirley has been instrumental in the organization and hosting of competitions, from friendly ‘fun shows’, to national competitions in the Ottawa area over the past 30 years. Not only have competitors come up through the ranks at Shirley’s shows, so have many of our dressage officials. Shirley’s contributions have had a significant effect on Dressage in Ontario.
 
Claire Milton (Nova Scotia)
Claire is recognized for continually giving 110% to her club, RIDERS, and the club’s competitions. Her attention to detail and determination that the competitions meet the highest possible standard has ensured that this club stays strong, and that dressage competitions in Nova Scotia continue to be better served.
 
 
Linda Dieno (British Columbia)
Linda is a core organizer and volunteer for the Country Dressage group in British Columbia, and always provides kind words of encouragement to competitors and volunteers alike. Linda has worked hard to create a warm and fun atmosphere at the competitions so exhibitors always look forward to them.
 
Valerie Frost  (Ontario)
Over the years Valerie has participated in almost every facet of Dressage Niagara competitions – all of which she undertakes with grace, efficiency and a level of excellence which has clearly inspired others.
 
Carolyn Tipler (British Columbia)
Carolyn is the driving force behind the Interior Dressage shows and over time has taken on virtually every position under the sun. Her tireless enthusiasm and efforts have helped to encourage dressage enthusiasts from all over BC to participate in competitions. Carolyn has played a major part in the growth and success of the Interior Dressage Group.
 
In its inaugural year, the 2006 Dressage Canada ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award was given to Kerri McGregor for her outstanding contributions to Dressage Canada competitions through web design and communication.
 
The Dressage Canada Competitions Committee invites you to nominate those Dressage Canada volunteers who have made outstanding contributions towards dressage competition. Nominations for 2007 are due December 1, 2007. For further information please visit www.dressagecanada.org/dcp.asp?pageid=40.

Ocala, Florida - Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, captured the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix held Sunday, February 18, in Ocala, Florida.

As the first rider to attempt the track set by course designer Ken Krome, Underhill proved a clear round was possible and secured her place in the jump-off. Only three other members of the 36-horse starting field managed to join her, setting the stage for an exciting tie-breaker. Once again, Underhill was in the position of pathfinder and, once again, she and Magdaline laid down a clear round in a time of 42.90 seconds. Fellow Canadian Hugh Graham was the only other rider to post a double-clear performance but his time of 43.55 seconds riding Polyfax was not fast enough to catch Underhill.

“In the jump-off, I just thought I would be smooth and efficient without putting too much at risk,” explained Underhill of the winning strategy that netted her $15,000 in prize money. “Initially, I was concerned because it was her first time competing in the new Grand Prix ring at Ocala and sometimes she can be a little spooky in a new environment, but she just went around like an equitation horse. She was solid and confident, and her jump was crisp and round. I was really thrilled!”

In their first three weeks competing on the HITS Ocala show jumping circuit, Underhill and Magdaline have enjoyed incredible success. They won the $15,000 Friday Mini Prix during the opening week, then placed second in Sunday’s $25,000 Grand Prix the following week.

“Maggie feels great!” said Underhill enthusiastically about the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Darryl B. Williams and Associates Inc. “She feels like she has stepped up a notch in terms of her confidence. When she believes in herself, she is such a winner. She is loving her job and enjoying herself and, in turn, she is giving a better effort. She had a fabulous season last year, and it feels like she is starting back right where she left off.”

Between her own mounts and those of her clients, Underhill is overseeing the training and showing of 20 horses in Ocala. In addition to Magdaline’s success, Underhill also won a Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Horse class riding Rhiannon, a Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Beth Underhill Stables.

One of Canada’s most successful show jumping competitors, Underhill is based in Schomberg, ON, where she operates Beth Underhill Stables.

A special committee on shoeing and hoof care that was formed coming out of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit is calling for a ban of toe grabs with a height greater than four millimeters on the front horseshoes of Thoroughbred racehorses.

 The committee began meeting in January to follow through on the Welfare and Safety Summit recommendation to ban certain horseshoes that research has shown to be detrimental to the soundness and safety of racehorses. In recommending a ban of toe grabs greater than 4 millimeters, the committee is focused on the use of “regular” and “high” (or Quarter Horse) toe grabs, which have a 6.4- and 9.5-millimeter toe grab, respectively. Research by Dr. Sue Stover of the University of California at Davis has demonstrated that high toe grabs on front shoes make a Thoroughbred 16 times more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury while racing.

 The California Horse Racing Board passed Rule 1690.1 “Toe Grabs Prohibited” in February 2006 and is being proposed for adoption nationwide at the Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee meeting in April. The rule states, “Toe grabs with a height greater than 4 millimeters worn on the front shoes of Thoroughbred horses while racing are prohibited.”

 The committee on shoeing and hoof care is also calling for tracks to ban the use of all toe grabs on front horseshoes on synthetic track surfaces such as Polytrack, Cushion Track and Tapeta. The use of toe grabs, turndowns, caulks and toe grabs on hind horseshoes is also under consideration by the committee pending the review of existing research. A request for proposals for further research may be forthcoming.

 Committee members are also working on educational materials on shoeing and hoof care, including the use of high-speed cameras and track surface measuring devices developed by Dr. Peterson. Graphic displays of the effects of toe grabs on the front legs of racehorses are also in development. The committee’s future agenda includes the potential to develop and offer a model rule requiring certification for farriers licensed to shoe racehorses and extending the toe grab restrictions to American Quarter Horse racing.

While we have often heard that the lucky socks made the difference and led to a Championship win, this is a story about a lucky dollar whose claim to fame, similarly to the socks, revolves around being in the right place and at the right time, a time when “victory” and joy was showered upon three equestrian champions.
 
It all began during the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City when an unassuming greenback dollar was happily lodged in American rider, Bill Steinkraus’ pocket as he rode Snowbound to victory, and became Olympic Show Jumping Champion.
 
Had it just of been on the one occasion, one could say that the dollar was indeed lucky, however, as it turned out, the lucky dollar found itself again in the right pocket at the right time…
 
Twenty years passed and the Games of the XXIV Olympiad in Seoul were looming in the foreground as was Bill Steinkraus. For reasons unknown, he handed his lucky charm over to French horseman Pierre Durand. The lucky dollar then made history, as Pierre Durand riding Jappeloup de Luze went on to win a legendary gold medal, with what can only be described as an unforgettable little horse, who was nowhere near as well-built as his rivals (just over 15 hands). No doubt, with his modest stature and Olympic gold medal, Jappeloup de Luze became the star of the Games, while the lucky dollar now counted two gold medals in its trophy cabinet.
 
While this already seems to be verging on the legendary, the lucky dollar continued to sow its seed with yet another fantastic win, this time 16 years later (yes, a multiple of 4) with another Olympic podium!
 
This time the lucky dollar was, of all places, in Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games. Pierre Durand decided to test the fate of the precious note and handed it to Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil. History repeated itself, albeit in a strange twist of events, while the lucky dollar rode splendidly with Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet du Rouet, the fabulous chestnut stallion. As the strange twist of fate would have, Rodrigo Pessoa was originally awarded the silver medal, but due to an unforeseen disqualification of the gold medalist, Rodrigo Pessoa and hence the lucky dollar then stepped up to pole position to become Olympic Champions.
 
Believe in them or not, good luck charms and superstitions have been an integral part of human life throughout history, and while skeptics may say that the lucky dollar had a funny knack for riding with exceptional riders and horses, there is no harm in believing.
 
It would now appear that this very lucky dollar has recently been donated to the Olympic Museum, located on the banks of Lake Geneva in Lausanne and is to be exposed in the 2006 Acquisitions exhibition to be held from 15 February to 10 June. Not a bad retirement home for a lucky greenback. Be sure to get a glimpse of the champion, blessed with neither jumping nor speedy prowess that somehow remained at the edge of elite sport and on the top spot of the podium, and this for over 36 years. Indeed, a champion of sorts…

 

Wellington, FL – The Kilkenny Internationale, CSI 3* wrapped up competition on Sunday with the highlight of the week, the $60,000 Kilkenny Internationale Cup. After winning the Sunday grand prix in week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and finishing second last week, Laura Chapot and Little Big Man continued their streak by triumphing in today’s class over Molly Ashe and Cocu and Erynn Ballard and Robin van Roosendael.
 
Today’s course was designed by Olaf Petersen of Germany. Petersen set a rolling track around the field that included 14 numbered obstacles. The course integrated an open water jump, a triple combination and a two stride set in front of the in-gate. It was not the easiest of courses, but five made the good list to return for the jump-off. There were six four-fault rounds and one elimination. After two-thirds of the 47 entries had gone, those who had faults or a refusal were choosing to retire from the course rather than continue, leading to nine retirements in all.
 
On the course, Ballard noted “I thought it was big, but it’s the first Sunday I’ve jumped this circuit. Usually when it’s big, it’s encouraging for me because I have a horse that can jump big jumps. I love for it to be big and hope that he’s having a good day and rides well so that he can have a clear round.”
 
Returning first in the jump-off was William Lowry on Winsor Farm Sales’ Polygraaf. Polygraaf had a consistent clear round going until the tight rollback to the Animal Planet vertical, the second to last jump in the second round. Polygraaf lost his footing and slipped and was able to muster the effort to jump the fence, but the top rail came down. Lowry finished with four faults in a quick time of 39.54 seconds, which would hold up for fourth place.
 
Next in were Chapot and Little Big Man. While Chapot did not seem to go all-out, she was quick through the turns and made nice galloping runs where she could. Little Big Man’s incredible carefulness left all the jumps up, and they crossed the timers in 39.08 seconds. “I just tried to be fast down the first two lines. I actually thought I was a little bit conservative at the last two fences just to make sure I was clear,” she asserted. “I probably could have been a little bit faster because he jumps clear anyway.”
 
Chapot did not watch Lowry’s entire jump-off ride. “I only could see part of his round, but I know that he is surprisingly fast for having such a big horse. I didn’t see him slip, and that’s probably good,” she admitted.
 
Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui, who is owned by the triumvirate of Alex Boone, Richard Bass and James McNerney, were next to challenge, but a rail at fence two and at the first jump of the one stride left Farrington in fifth place with four faults in 40.22 seconds.
 
Ballard cantered in to try to beat Chapot’s time. The tall 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding may possess the scope to jump anything, but his skill in speed would be tested in today’s class. Ballard guided him to the jumps at a slower pace, going for the clear round. They posted a time of 43.63 seconds to finish in third place. “I know with my horse, it’s better to be double clean than slow with one down. My plan with him is to go double clean. He’s not the fastest and he’s not the easiest to turn, so that’s usually what we’re aiming for,” she explained. “If not, we’re a really slow four-faulter.”
 
Second place would be determined by Cocu and Molly Ashe, who rode for Jane F. Clark. While Ashe did not go for broke, she did keep a quick pace and neat turns. This helped them stay just off Chapot’s pace in 39.61 seconds for the red ribbon. Ashe recalled, “I didn’t see Laura go, but that was probably for my own well-being! I probably would have tried to go too fast. There’s no way the horse that I was showing could go as fast as Little Big Man, so I was trying to go as fast as I could and leave the jumps up. She did just that. She was great.”
 
For Ballard, this was her second circuit in Wellington with Robin van Roosendael. “This is my best finish in Florida ever,” she noted. “I’ve had him for four years. He has an amazing show record. There are very few classes he goes in where he doesn’t get a ribbon. He’s never going to be the fastest horse, but he’s always good for big classes. He’s a good team horse because you can use him a lot.”
 
Results of $60,000 Kilkenny International Cup February 18, 2007
T/A: 93.00 T/A: 55.00
1. LITTLE BIG MAN, LAURA CHAPOT, USA - 0.00 / 85.72; 0.00 / 39.08
2. COCU, MOLLY ASHE, USA - 0.00 / 88.00; 0.00 / 39.61
3. ROBIN VAN ROOSENDAEL, ERYNN BALLARD, CAN - 0.00 / 91.87; 0.00 / 43.63
4. POLYGRAAF, WILLIAM LOWRY, USA - 0.00 / 88.05; 4.00 / 39.54
5. UP CHIQUI, KENT FARRINGTON, USA - 0.00 / 83.61; 8.00 / 40.22
6. HIDDEN CREEK’S QUERVO GOLD, MARGIE ENGLE, USA - 4.00 / 83.07
7. HOT WHEELS, DARRAGH KERINS, IRL - 4.00 / 86.87
8. TRUE LOVE, SARAH SEGAL, USA - 4.00 / 88.60
9. PICOLIEN ZELDENRUST, FRANKIE CHESLER ORTIZ, CAN - 4.00 / 89.37
10. RMW POWER POINT, JAIME GUERRA, MEX - 4.00 / 90.21
11. OLIVER III, JUDY GAROFALO TORRES, USA - 4.00 / 92.25
12. CLAUS, ANGELA K. MOORE, USA - 5.00 / 93.84
13. LEVANTOS, MARIO DESLAURIERS, CAN - 8.00 / 84.53
14. SAPPHIRE, MCLAIN WARD, USA - 8.00 / 86.13
15. ONIRA, BRIANNE GOUTAL, USA - 8.00 / 86.68

Millar was the natural choice for January’s CAVALOR ‘Athlete of the Month’ title after winning the first two Grand Prix events during the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.  In the first week of the seven-week long series, the WEF/PBIEC Inaugural held January 24-28 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, Millar captured two major wins with two different mounts.
 
Riding his 2006 World Equestrian Games mount In Style, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Susan Grange of Lothlorien Farm, Millar’s first win came in Thursday’s $25,000 WEF Challenge Series where he bested a nine-horse jump-off.
 
Three days later, paired with Redefin, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding also owned by Susan Grange and Lothlorien Farm, Millar posted another double clear performance to edge out Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and claim Sunday’s $35,000 WEF/PBIEC Inaugural Cup Grand Prix.
 
“Both horses were absolutely sensational,” praised Millar, who has been named the ‘Athlete of the Month’ five times since the program began in 2003.  “This was In Style’s first major competition of the year, and he feels like he’s picking up right where we left off.  Redefin is young, but he is really becoming a sophisticated horse.  I couldn’t be more pleased with them.”
 
In recognition of his achievement, Millar will receive a gift certificate from CAVALOR, the new title sponsor of the ‘Athlete of the Month’ program for 2007.
 
“It’s always a great honour to be awarded the ‘Athlete of the Month’,” commented Millar.  “Receiving an award like this is always appreciated.”
 
CAVALOR is specialized in the development of feed supplements and nutraceuticals for sport horses and offers a wide range of products and services to enhance the health and performance.  Since 1997, CAVALOR has been part of the Vitamex group, an international leader of farm animal nutrition headquartered in Drongen, Belgium.  Distributed in more than 45 countries, CAVALOR’S comprehensive product range is based on the great diversity of individual nutritional and sporting requirements of horses.  CAVALOR’S extensive product line is exclusively distributed in Canada by Pegase Medical.  For more information on CAVALOR, please visit www.cavalor.ca.

 

Ottawa, Ontario — Jump Canada is pleased to announce that over $87,000 in Jump Canada Levy funds were distributed to provincial hunter/jumper associations for the year-end of 2006.
 
In 1999, Jump Canada established a program that saw a levy fee applied per horse to entries in hunter/jumper competitions at Equine Canada National class 1A to 7 rated horse shows.  The year-end levy distribution, now in its eighth year, has increased considerably from the original allocation of $47,818 in 1999.
 
The Jump Canada Levy, which is currently $10 per horse, is used to support a number of regional and national programs designed to foster the activities of hunter/jumper riders, owners and the industry at large.  The levy is distributed as follows:
 
- 60% to Hunter, Young Rider & Domestic programs
- 35% to National & International Teams
- 5% to Administration, including Publicity & Public Relations
 
Seventy-five per cent of the funds allocated to domestic programs are returned to the province from which they were collected.  Each provincial hunter/jumper committee applies the funds to specific programs they have developed; the philosophy behind this program is that the local associations know best what works in their province.
 
“The Jump Canada levy is helping hunter/jumper associations across Canada fund the programs that their members want,” noted Jump Canada Chair Elizabeth Bordeaux.  “In 2007, the smaller provinces will be able to bid on a $5,000 pool, which will be allocated to the program or programs deemed most worthy.”
 
The next distribution of levy funds to the provinces will take place in July of 2007.  For further details on Jump Canada programs and applications, please visit www.jumpcanada.ca.

 

Ottawa, Ontario — Jump Canada is pleased to announce the selection criteria for the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 14-29.
 
A team of five horse/rider combinations will be named by Thursday, June 14, 2007, following the results of a series of selection trials.  The selection trials will be held at the following competitions:
 
Location                                              Date                                           Class
Caledon National, ON                          Friday, May 18, 2007                 Table C speed over a Table A course
Caledon National, ON                          Sunday, May 20, 2007                Grand Prix
Spruce Meadows ‘National’, AB          Wednesday, June 6, 2007           Section II Open
Spruce Meadows ‘National’, AB          Thursday, June 7, 2007               Section II Open
Spruce Meadows ‘National’, AB          Saturday, June 9, 2007                Grand Prix
 
Following the five selection trials, the 2007 Jump Canada Selection Committee comprised of Terrance Millar (Chair), Laura Balisky, David Ballard, Alan Chesler and Mark Samuel will name five team members as well as three alternates.
 
The three riders with the lowest number of faults over all five Selection Trials will be named to the Team.  The remaining two Team members and the three alternates will be chosen at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee based on its opinion of who can best represent Canada at the 2007 Pan Am Games.
 
In order to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games, of which the equestrian portion will be held in Hong Kong, the Canadian Show Jumping Team must finish in the top three at the 2007 Pan American Games, excluding those countries that have already qualified through the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
 
For more information and complete criteria, please visit http://www.jumpcanada.ca/performance/panam_2007.html.  For more information on the 2007 Pan American Games, please visit http://www.cob.org.br/pan2007/ingles/indexing.asp

 

Toronto, Ontario – The Royal Horse Show will host the inaugural ‘Royal Canadian Freestyle Championship’ during the 2007 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held November 2-11 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON.

Six horse-rider combinations will perform Musical Freestyle programs over two nights, Wednesday, November 7, and Thursday, November 8. The two scores will be added together to determine the overall winner, who will then be crowned the Royal Dressage Freestyle Champion.

The introduction of the Royal Canadian Freestyle Championships comes following the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) decision to institute a North American World Cup League, thereby eliminating the need for a Canadian League Final, which the Royal has long hosted, attracting sold-out crowds.

“The Royal has a wonderful tradition of hosting the finest dressage in Canada, and we are looking forward to holding the inaugural Royal Canadian Freestyle Championships which we have formatted in conjunction with Dressage Canada,” said John Dunlap, Chairman of the Royal Horse Show. “Over the years, dressage has proven to be one of the hottest tickets at the Royal Horse Show, and we are very pleased to bring two nights of dressage freestyle competition to our audience.”

Riders will qualify for the Royal Canadian Freestyle Championships during the 2007 competition season. Full criteria will be available on the Dressage Canada website at www.dressagecanada.org. The top six Canadian horse/rider combinations will be invited to compete at the 2007 Royal Horse Show.

The Grand Prix Freestyle sees riders choreograph required movements, including passage and piaffe, to the music of their choice. Horses and riders seemingly dance as one to the music in a thrilling demonstration of harmony and grace.

For more information on the Royal Horse Show and the 85th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org

The 2007 FEI International Tent Pegging Championships will be held in Muscat, Oman in March, with Akaash Maharaj representing Canada, under the UNICEF banner. Tent pegging is one of 10 equestrian disciplines recognized by the FEI.

The sport, which sees galloping riders use sword and lance to spear targets, originated in the military, through training exercises for cavalrymen. The term “tent pegging” draws from the small tent stakes that served as the original targets in military encampments.

The mainstay of tent pegging remains lancing ground targets. However, the sport also includes: ring jousting (threading a blade through suspended rings); lemon sticking (slicing suspended targets); quintain tilting (charging swivelling mannequins); Parthian (mounted) archery; and cavalry revolver. All events are conducted at a full gallop.

“I am humbled to compete alongside some of the world’s foremost equestrian athletes, yet proud to do so on behalf of Canada,” said Maharaj. “I am especially honoured to serve as a UNICEF representative, and to ride not only for our country, but also for  the cause of children toiling in child labour.”

In a unique Canadian arrangement, the team declined to seek corporate sponsorship, and instead donated its naming rights to UNICEF. “By riding under UNICEF’s banner in Oman, our team hopes to lend prominence to and therefore advance the organisation’s efforts to help working children realize their right to education,” said Maharaj.

An estimated 246 million children worldwide are engaged in child labour. Many of these children have no access to a quality education that could help pull them out of the cycle of poverty. With this initial event, UNICEF Team Canada is supporting the organization’s work with the Sishushiksha Karmasuchi (SSK) project in West Bengal, India, to establish community-based alternative learning centres for children working in dangerous conditions. The children who will benefit from these centre’s work primarily in zari (embroidery) workshops, sewing beads and glitter for up to 20 hours a day, or scavenge for coal near open pit mines.

Visit http://www.tentpegging.ca/ for more information.