Jump Canada Announces 2010 FEI Children’s Final Qualifying Competitions

Ottawa, ON – Canada will host two qualifying competitions for the 2010 FEI Children’s International Jumper Final.

The Eastern Canadian Qualifier will be held at the National Open running August 18–22 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON. The Western Canadian Qualifier will take place at the Rocky Mountain Classic II held from August 25–29 in Calgary, AB.

The annual FEI Children’s International Jumper Final features show jumping competitors aged 12 to 14. The competition was created to promote and encourage talented young riders by giving them the opportunity to experience international competition with support from the FEI.

Each of the Canadian Qualifiers require participants to ride their own horse or pony over four courses set at a maximum height of 1.20m and maximum width of 1.30m. The courses, which are pre-determined and published by the FEI, are built to the exact specifications of the course plan. The FEI tabulates results from qualifying competitions held around the world, and extends invitations accordingly. Each country is represented by a maximum of two riders with the exception of the host country, which is entitled to have the number of competitors equal to the number of foreign entries. Riders compete on borrowed horses, supplied by the host country.

Canadian riders have enjoyed great success at the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final in the past. At the 2002 FEI Children’s Final in Brazil, Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, captured the Gold Medal in the team competition. In Calgary, AB, when Canada was the host nation of the 2003 FEI Children’s Final, Femke van den Bosch of Red Deer, AB, was the top-placed Canadian rider, finishing second.

Spruce Meadows again hosted the FEI Children’s Final in 2006 when Canadian riders Taylor Bland and Ben Asselin, both of Calgary, AB, and Jake Krembil of Schomberg, ON, made history by sweeping all three podium spots.

Once the FEI announces the location and dates for the 2010 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final, the details will be available on the FEI Children’s International Competition Calendar section of the FEI website at http://www.fei.org/events/series-and-finals/fei-children%2527s-international-jumping-competition/downloads.

For additional information on the Canadian qualifying competitions, please contact Hayes Co. at info@hayesco.ca or Rocky Mountain Show Jumping at rocky@rmshowjumping.com.