Canadian Eventing names WEG Team

The Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee is pleased to announce the members of the Canadian Eventing Team who will compete in the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, September 30–October 3, 2010. Selected according to the qualification thresholds and selection procedure, six rider/ horse combinations have been named to the Team.

Named to the Team (in alphabetical order) are:

Rider – Hometown – Horse – Owner
Hawley Bennett-Awad – Langley, BC – Gin & Juice, 2000 brown American Thoroughbred – Rider & Linda Paine
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
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 – Summerland, BC – Port Authority, 1998 bay Canadian-bred Selle Français – Rider & Patricia Bosch

In addition to selecting the Canadian Eventing Team members, at the discretion of the selectors, the committee announced an accompanying list of horse/rider combinations to serve as alternates/substitutes for the World Equestrian Games Eventing Team. If for any reason one of selected horse/rider combinations is unable to compete at the WEG, then it may be possible, although subject to strict regulations, to replace them with a named substitute to the team.

Named as alternates (in alphabetical order) are:

Rider – Hometown – Horse – Owner
Diana Burnett – Blackstock, ON – Manny, 2000 bay Canadian Thoroughbred cross – Rider & Eventing Canada!
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 http://www.equinecanada.ca/.

Michelle Mueller of Port Perry, ON and Julie-Anna Pring’s Amistad, who were named to the WEG Squad in June, unfortunately withdrew from the selection process due to an injury to the horse, which prevented the pair sufficient time to prepare for the Games. “It was an extremely difficult decision to select the top six,” said High Performance Chair, Grit High. “All of the squad members have shown through their performances that they deserved the opportunity to represent Canada at the Games.”

The team and alternates will participate in a final training camp in Ocala, FL from September 14 – 23 prior to their departure for Lexington.

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.

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 & Medal Ceremony — Team and Individual

For specific times and competition details and results consult the Organizing Committee website www.alltechfeigames.com or the FEI web site http://www.horsesport.org/.