Ottawa, Ontario — Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, has overtaken top spot in the Canadian League World Cup standings following the final week of the HITS Desert Circuit VI held March 6-11 in Thermal, California.

Success throughout the six-week California circuit has catapulted Henselwood to the top of the standings with a current total of 63 World Cup Qualifying points.  She most recently acquired 12 points for her ninth place finish aboard Juniper Farms’ 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Special Ed, in the $150,000 World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at the Desert Circuit VI, in addition to the 13 points gained a month earlier in the $75,000 World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at HITS Desert Circuit III.

“My three grand prix horses have performed well with each one pulling their weight,” commented Henselwood, who would be making her fourth World Cup Final appearance in Las Vegas if she is one of the top two Canadians in the standings at the conclusion of the Canadian League.  “Although Special Ed earned the points to put me in the lead, my other two mounts, Callisto and Black Ice, had excellent results too.  Each one of my horses is capable of going to the Final, so it’s choosing which one that will be difficult!”

Henselwood’s recent point gain was a nice addition to the 17 points she earned last November riding Special Ed in the final World Cup Qualifier held in Canada, the $75,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix which took place at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.

Just one point off the lead in second position is John Pearce of Stouffville, ON.  Also competing on the HITS Desert Circuit, Pearce most recently earned 10 World Cup points for his 12th place finish with Forestview Farm’s nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Archie Bunker, at HITS Desert Circuit VI.  His earlier success of a third place finish in the $75,000 World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix during the HITS Desert Circuit II in February, also aboard Archie Bunker, helped bring his points total to 62.

Laurie Bucci of Mont St. Hilaire, QC, is currently tied for third position with 61 points with fellow Quebec resident Mario Deslauriers of Bromont.  Rounding out the top five is Margie Gayford of Sharon, ON, who has accumulated 59 series points to date.  Gayford held a strong lead early in the Canadian League following several impressive results including a second place in the $50,000 Miele World Cup Qualifier at the CSI-W Collingwood Festival riding Stuntman.

“It is always an honour to hold the lead in the Canadian League with so many great riders vying for top spot, but it’s not over yet,” stated Henselwood.

Traditionally, the Canadian League World Cup Final was held at the Royal Horse Show.  However, the Canadian League has been now been extended into the 2007 season and will conclude when the final World Cup Qualifying event in the United States, CSI-W San Juan Capistrano, California, to be held from April 4-8.  The extension of the Canadian League allows horse-rider combinations competing in Florida and California to gain valuable points in the hopes of being one of two Canadian representatives at the 2007 World Cup Final taking place in Las Vegas, USA, from April 19-22.

For complete standings, please visit http://www.jumpcanada.ca/programs/WC_standings.html

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