The first edition of the Canadian Equestrian Championships gets underway at the Bromont Equestrian Olympic Park, from September 16 to 18, 2011. Delegates from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec will compete in the three equestrian disciplines of jumping, dressage and reining.

Each province will be represented by a total of 4 riders in each discipline. On paper, Quebec and Saskatchewan stand equal with a grand total of 12 riders. Nova Scotia’s reining team is complete, with  three riders in jumping and one competitor in dressage to boot. British Columbia will be sending in two competitors in dressage and reining, and one show jumping rider. PEI’s delegation is composed of 3 jumpers, whereas Newfoundland & Labrador will stand proud with one participant in dressage. All of these riders have qualified during the 2011 competition season in their respective province.

The competition will start with the first tests in dressage and jumping on Friday morning. Afterwards, at around 4:00 in the afternoon, the reining competition (the only western equitation discipline to be recognized by the Fédération équestre internationale) will take place 12 km from Bromont, at the Académie équestre de Waterloo. On Saturday morning, show jumping and dressage riders will get back in the saddle. The Sunday trials will determine the champions in each discipline.

Riders from British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland & Labrador will compete with horses loaned from Quebec owners. This option was made possible thanks to Carolyne Desjordy, Roger Deslauriers, Réjean Lévesque, Annie Tremblay, Nicole Duplessis and Christian Tremblay, all of whom are certified horse trainers.

Riders in each discipline will compete in the Individual category for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in each of the Junior and Senior categories. The discipline championship title will also be up for grabs in the team category. Furthermore, the delegation to have earned the highest number of points, all disciplines included, will receive the Overall Province Trophy. This procedure follows suit with the Quebec Equestrian Games taking place on the same venue, same dates, with 8 Quebec regions battling for the title.

The Closing Ceremony, which will shine the spotlight on 8 Quebec regions and 6 Canadian provinces, will take place around 3:30 on Sunday. To keep apprised of the results throughout the weekend, visit http://www.caballista.ca/Media