On April 24th, 2015, the FEI issued a press release following the completion of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup qualifier which had just taken place in Xalapa, Mexico. Casually mentioned in the press release was a quiet little sentence that has had a huge impact on Canadian show jumping: “As the CSIO Alberta (CAN) has been cancelled, the final standings show that Mexico will now join the USA in Barcelona, Spain, in September.” No other announcements were made about the cancellation of the third North American Furusiyya qualifier, but the news is significant – and bad. It leaves the Canadian Show Jumping Team holding the short straw.

Canada was tied with Mexico for second place following the two 2015 North American Furusiyya qualifiers, having finished second in the league in Ocala, Florida, in February, and then fourth in Mexico. Ties are common in the Furusiyya qualifications, and the FEI has a four-step tie-breaking rule. The tie wasn’t broken until the third step, which gives the higher placing to the team with the greater number of clear rounds: Mexico’s four clear rounds placed it above Canada’s three. The two spots for the Final in Barcelona have been awarded to the US, which won both qualifiers, and Mexico. Having finished second in the Final in 2014 and sixth in 2013, Canada will not be represented in Barcelona for the first time in the three-year history of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series.

The Worst Timing

When Canadian Show Jumping Team chef d’équipe Mark Laskin chose the combinations to compete at the Nations Cup in Mexico, he did so with the expectation that Canada would have a third qualifying opportunity at the June qualifier at Spruce Meadows. Laskin’s mandate is not only to make sure that Canada succeeds at the highest level, but also to give developing talent the opportunities and experience necessary to ensure that the pool of top riders and horses is constantly growing. The Nations Cup in Mexico provided just such an opportunity, and Laskin chose several up-and-coming horses and riders for the team: Erynn Ballard and Appy Cara, Kara Chad and Alberto II, Elizabeth Gingras and Zilversprings, and Jonathon Millar with Calvin Klein. Millar was the only member with team experience at a major international championship. Two days after finishing fourth in the Mexico Nations Cup, the Canadians demonstrated their worthiness: Gingras, Chad, and Ballard swept the podium in the grand prix, and Millar finished sixth. All four riders were on their Nations Cup mounts.

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