Team Ontario took home the bronze in Jumping at the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships, which took place in Bromont, QC. from Sept. 21-23
The Jumping team, coached by Grant Field, who was also the chef d’equipe, was comprised of two junior and two senior riders. The junior riders included Dillon Sambasivam of Toronto, ON. riding Tradition, and Helen Chambers of Oakville, ON., who was named Overall Individual Junior Champion in Jumping on Utopia Belles. Benjamin Eyles of Mississauga, ON, riding Luczio and Denis Sweeney of Peterborough, ON, riding Foxworthy were the senior members on the team
In Dressage, Allie Schmidt of Campbellville, ON, coached by Simone Williams, was the lone rider representing Ontario. The junior rider showed her horse, Walkin’ Shoes to a 12th place with 65.541% on day one of competition, an 8th with 60.968% on day two and, on the last day of competition, a 7th place finish with a score of 63.065%.
“We are very proud of the riders who represented Ontario at the championships,” says Dianne Graham, executive director of the Ontario Equestrian Federation. “They not only placed well, but they also demonstrated great sportsmanship both in the ring and out. The future of the sport is bright if these up-and-comers are any indication.”
Recognized as a pilot project, the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships is a collaborative event between the national and provincial sport organizations governing equestrian competition. A multi-discipline competition, it is a key event in the development of the next generation of national, international and world champions. In addition to team awards, the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships honour the individual junior and senior champion in the divisions of Jumper – 1.1 meter, Dressage – Level 1, and Reining. In 2011, its inaugural year, the competition welcomed riders from six provinces. That number grew to nine provinces this year, with riders representing Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta and
Saskatchewan.
The Ontario Equestrian Federation provided funding for participants and collaborated with OEF industry members to secure team uniforms, helmets and other exciting items exclusively for Ontario’s team members. Team Ontario is sponsored by Bucas Ltd., Brubachers Harness Supplies Inc., Equestrian Factory Outlet, Greenhawk, SSG Gloves,
System Fencing Limited and Tipperary Equestrian.
For more information, visit the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships website at www.cec-en.ca
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