Hayley Alfonso Wins Jump Canada Talent Squad Western Division Championship

Ottawa, Ontario – Hayley Alfonso of St. Andrews, MB, was crowned the Jump Canada Talent Squad Western Champion at the final event held October 27 during the Spruce Meadows ‘Oktoberfest’ Tournament in Calgary, AB.

Riding Patty Alfonso’s 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Le Noir, Alfonso finished the season with a total of 25 points. The duo first earned points at the Edmonton Northlands Horse Show on June 1 when they claimed the $20,000 ATCO Cup. They also picked up additional points after winning the Canada Inn Talent Squad Class at the Manitoba Derby Horse Show on July 30.

“It went well this year, I had a good season overall,” said Alfonso, 19, who moved up to the grand prix level in 2005. “I am very happy with how Le Noir performed this year, and finishing as the Western Champion is very exciting.”

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The Western Division Reserve Champion, with a total of 23 points, was Jenna Thompson of Calgary, AB. Riding Zeke, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Thompson joined the season half-way through, and first earned nine points after taking on Olympic veterans in the Kubota Cup Grand Prix at the Twin Oaks Derby on August 13 in Richmond, BC. The pair also received an additional eight points for their seventh place finish in the $15,000 Tommy Bahama Grand Prix at the Langley Summer Festival on August 25.

Gary Brewster of West Vancouver, BC, finished the season in third position with 17 points, partnered with Suzanne Brewster’s 10-year-old gelding Royal Viali. Their success included a second place finish, just behind Alfonso, in the $20,000 ATCO Cup.

The top 10 riders from both the Eastern and Western divisions go head-to-head in the Jump Canada National Talent Squad Championships, which will be held in two phases on November 3 and 4 at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.

The top placed rider in each division is awarded airfare to the 2007 World Cup Final to be held in Las Vegas, USA, from April 18 to 22. In addition, the two Division winners, as well as the top placed competitor in the Talent Squad Championships at the Royal Horse Show (not already named from their division), will be nominated for Sport Canada Development Cards to receive athlete funding.

The Jump Canada Talent Squad Series is a means of recognizing up-and-coming riders who are preparing to enter the grand prix ranks and gives them a platform to demonstrate their ability to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team. For complete standings, please visit jumpcanada.ca.