Canadian Show Jumping Team Named for Wellington Nations’ Cup

Ottawa, ON — Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, Mac Cone of King City, ON, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, will comprise the Canadian Show Jumping Team for the $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, held Friday evening, March 5, during the CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Canadele, who made his Canadian Team debut last year on the winning Nations’ Cup team in Wellington, will be aboard Pitareusa, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Susan Grange. Formerly a citizen of France, Candele has been officially riding as a Canadian since August of 2008.

Cone will ride Ole, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Larry Evoy and Sara Houstoun. Cone and Ole were members of Canada’s silver medal team at the 2008 Olympic Champion Lamaze will ride Ronaldo, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ashland Stables. Lamaze currently stands fourth in the Federation Equestre International (FEI) Rolex World Rider Rankings.

Underhill will ride Top Gun, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Iron Horse Farm. The pair was members of the Canadian Team for the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup held at the 2009 Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament.

In addition to the four team members, Canada will also have two individual entries in the international division. Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, will ride Contino 14, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Millar Brooke Farm, while Keean White of Cambridge, ON, will ride Celena Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by The Ashland Group and Angelstone Farms.

Canada is the defending champion in the $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, having won the event on four occasions — 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, more times than any other country. This year, Canada will take on teams from 10 other nations including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, United States and Venezuela.

“We have four very experienced riders and their horses are going very well, so we are in a good position to get a great result,” said Terrance ‘Torchy’ Millar, chef d’équipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team. “With 11 teams entered it won’t be an easy night, but I think we will be in the hunt.”

The two-round $75,000 FEI Nations’ Cup, Presented by CN, will take place at night under the lights with FEI ‘O’ course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio of the United States setting the track. A Nations’ Cup is the only competition in show jumping where riders, competing in teams of four, compete against other countries for top honours. The top three scores from each team are counted towards the final result of the two-round competition. Only the top eight teams from the first round will be invited back for round two.