Canadian Show Jumping Team Preparing for World Equestrian Games

The Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, Jonathon Millar of Perth, ON, and John Pearce of Stouffville, ON, is preparing for opening day of show jumping competition on Monday, October 4, at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

Held for the first time outside of Europe, the World Equestrian Games take place every four years and act as the world championships for equestrian sport, including the discipline of show jumping. At the last major games held, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Canadian Show Jumping Team claimed Team Silver as well as Individual Gold for Eric Lamaze.

On Sunday, October 3, all show jumping horses that will potentially compete at the World Equestrian Games, 138 horses representing 41 nations, were presented for veterinary inspection. All four of Canada’s team horses, as well as Bottom Line, the horse of traveling alternate Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, were presented. John Pearce’s Chianto will be re-presented on Monday morning.

At the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Candele will ride Pitareusa, a 13-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood mare by Andiamo that is owned by Susan Grange. Olympic Champions Lamaze and Hickstead, a 14-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood stallion by Hamlet owned by Ashland Stables and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable, will once again represent Canada.

Millar will ride Contino 14, a 13-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding by Contender that is owned by Millar Brooke Farm. Pearce is partnered with Chianto, a 14-year-old grey Danish Warmblood gelding by Carano owned by Alison Moore.

Henselwood, should she be called on, would ride Bottom Line, an 11-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood mare by Sheeyenne de Baugy owned by Bradon Construction.

The opening round of show jumping competition takes place Monday, October 4, beginning at 10 a.m. The first round of team competition begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 5. The top 10 teams then advance to the second round to take place Wednesday, October 6, beginning at 1 p.m. Team medals will be then be awarded.

On Friday night at 5:30 p.m., the individual competition will be held, with the top 30 individual competitors hoping to be among the ‘Final Four’ who contest the World Championship title on Saturday night, October 9, at 8 p.m. In the ultimate test of horsemanship, the final four competitors will ride each of the four horses over the course set by course designers Conrad Homfeld of the United States and Richard Jeffery of Great Britain to decide the individual medals, and the title of World Champion.