Yann Candele was the top-placed Canadian in the North American World Cup League standings, with a total of 71 points followed by Karen Cudmore with 49 points. Tani Zeidler was a close third, with a total of 48 points, earned throughout the World Cup qualifying season, while Eric Lamaze finished fourth with 44 points.
Canada receives two invitations for the 2011 World Cup Final Cudmore accpeted her invitation, Candele, however, declined. The invitation was extended to Zeidler as the next in line. She too, declined, and as such Lamaze will be attending the competition.
“To be third overall among the Canadian competitors, and knowing how long it has been since someone qualified from western Canada, makes me very happy,” said Zeidler, who is originally from Edmonton and is now based in Calgary.
However, Zeidler has made the difficult decision not to compete in the 2011 World Cup Final with Ranville, her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
“It was a really tough decision,” said Zeidler, who has never before competed at the annual World Cup Final. “Even though it would have been great experience, I didn’t feel that it was right time for myself and Ranville.”
Knowing that Lamaze, the 2008 Olympic champion, was behind her for an invitation also factored into Zeidler’s decision.
“I had Eric Lamaze, who is currently ranked second in the world and has a real shot of winning, behind me in the rankings, and I just couldn’t take his spot,” she explained. “He can go and be very competitive, so it just wouldn’t be right. That’s really what made the decision for me.”
The 2011 Word Cup Final will be held in Leipzig, Germany, from April 27 – May 1.
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