Canada’s Young Talent to Compete for National Youth Championship Titles

Young talent will be converging in Chilliwack, BC, August 27-28, 2010, to contest the sixth annual Dressage Canada National Youth Championships for the FEI Pony, FEI Children, FEI Junior and FEI Young Rider divisions.

Hosted by Wendy Christoff and Susan Holtby in Chilliwack, BC, the competition is sure to be a huge success.

The following rider/horse combinations have qualified to represent their region at the 2010 Championships:

FEI Pony Division
Ehren Volk & Daisy Duke (BC)
Elexis Ortleib & Harrison (AB)

FEI Children Division
Brooklyn Reid & Rhythmic Blues (BC)
Angelica Kilberg & Martell (BC)
Elena Westeinde & Celtic Secret (BC)
Elizabeth Fraser & SummerSel Coletta (BC)

FEI Junior Division
Esmee Ingham & Norseman (BC)
Monica Houweling & Stentano (BC)
Monika Zillinger & Diva (BC)
Sydney Holme & Day Dreamer (BC)
Michelle Mills & Sugarcoated (BC)
Sylvie Fraser & World Star LHF (BC)

FEI Young Rider Division
Kristine Watson & Aicying (BC)
Erika Urff & Focus (BC)
Lindsay Seidel-Wassenaar & Oslo (AB)
Lindsay Seidel-Wassenaar & Bonafide (AB)

Equine Canada and Dressage Canada congratulates all the riders that have achieved and completed the criteria required to compete at the National Youth Championships and sends best wishes to everyone for a successful competition.

Started in 2005, the Dressage Canada National Youth Championships provides a terrific platform for Canada’s emerging talent. The head-to-head format proves to be an exciting competition as riders sharpen their skills over the competition season, collecting valuable qualifying scores in order to represent their region. The Championships provide excellent training for the future as the qualifying system is structured in a similar fashion to that used for high performance senior athletes.

In the four regions of Pacific (British Columbia and Yukon), West (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, North West Territories and Nunavut), East (Ontario and Quebec) and Atlantic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador), the rider/horse combinations must achieve a minimum qualifying score of 60% in the Team, Individual and Freestyle tests in order to compete at the Championships.

Successfully qualified competitors make the journey to compete against one another in what proves to be a very competitive environment. Past National Youth Championships competitors have gone on to represent Canada on the international stage at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships as well as the FEI Young Rider World Cup Finals including Megan Lane (2009 NAJYRC Gold, Silver and Bronze and 2010 NAJYRC Silver and Bronze medalist), Jamie Holland (2010 NAJYRC Gold and Bronze medalist), Amy Jager (2008 NAJYRC Bronze medalist) and Danielle McKinnon (2008 NAJYRC Bronze medalist) to name just a few.

This year, the judging panel which have been given the responsibility of crowning our champions include: Brenda Minor (CAN — FEI 2*) and Trenna Atkins (USA – Senior).