Canadian Eventing names Eventing Squad for the 2010 World Equestrian Games

Ottawa, ON—Following a successful spring training and competition program, the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee is pleased to announce the names of the Canadian Eventing Squad for the World Equestrian Games, being held September 30–October 3, 2010. Selected according to the qualification thresholds and selection procedure, nine rider/ horse combinations have been named to the Squad. The 2010 World Equestrian Games will be held in Lexington Kentucky, USA.

Named to the Squad (in alphabetical order) are:

Rider, hometown                             Horse                                                                    Owner

Hawley Bennett-Awad, Langley,        BC Gin N Juice, 2000 brown American Thoroughbred Rider & Linda Paine

Diana Burnett, Blackstock, ON          Manny, 2000 bay Canadian Thoroughbred cross          Rider & Eventing Canada!

Kyle Carter, Calgary, AB                 Madison Park, 1998 bay American Thoroughbred         Rider & Jennifer Carter

Rebecca Howard, Salmon Arm, BC   Riddle Master, 2001 bay Canadian Sport Horse            Caroline Bazley

Michelle Mueller, Port Perry, ON       Amistad, 1999 chestnut Canadian TB cross                  Julie-Anna Pring

Selena O’Hanlon, Elgin, ON              Colombo, 1994 bay Swedish Warmblood                     Elaine & Michael Davies

Jessica Phoenix, Uxbridge ON          Exponential, 1998 bay Canadian thoroughbred             Rider

Stephanie Rhodes Bosch,                Port Authority, 1998 bay Canadian bred Selle Français Rider & Patricia Bosch

Summerland, BC

Ian Roberts, Port Perry, ON   Napalm, 1996 grey Irish Sport Horse                                   Rider, Kelly Plitz & Tracey Newman

For rider biographies, please visit the Equine Canada web site at www.equinecanada.ca.

The WEG Squad will participate in a training sessions and preparatory competitions throughout the summer leading up to the final training camp, which will take place in September prior to the Games. The final team of up to six rider /horse combinations and alternates will be named in September.

The team trains under the leadership of David O’Connor, International Technical Advisor. Eventing Chef d’équipe, Graeme Thom; stable manager, Debbie Furnas; team veterinarian, Dr. Christiana Ober; and team farrier, Randy Pawlak will accompany and provide support to the team throughout the Games.

The Canadian Eventing Committee is grateful to Sport Canada, Podium Canada and all of its sponsors, supporters, suppliers and friends for their continued support of the Canadian Eventing Team in its quest for excellence at the 2010 World Equestrian Games

The Olympic sport of eventing encompasses three separate tests: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping held consecutively. Each test ridden by the rider and horse in combination is scored individually but added together for the final results. The rider/horse combination with the fewest number of penalty points over the three days wins the competition.

At the 2010 World Equestrian Games each eligible nation may compete three or four rider/horse combinations in the team competition (with the best three scores to count towards the final classification) plus one or two combinations in the individual competition. Nations which are unable to field a team may send one or two rider/horse combinations to compete in the individual competition.

Provisional Schedule for the World Equestrian Games Eventing Competition

Thursday, September 30 Dressage Day 1

Friday, October 1                    Dressage Day 2



Saturday, October 2                Cross Country

Sunday, October 3 Show Jumping

Victory Ceremony — Team and Individual