The Official News of the Jumping Committee

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1 The Official News of the Jumping Committee March 2017, Volume 13, Issue 3 IN THIS ISSUE $100,000 FEI Nations Cup Photo Gallery LETTER FROM THE CHAIR series, both of which culminate in their respective National Finals at Toronto s Royal Horse Show in November. Only the top 20 in the Jump Canada Medal and the top 16 in the CET qualify from across Canada, so the competition is fierce throughout the season. Young Guns! Profiling Alexanne Thibault Profiling the Jump Canada Hall of Fame s Newest Inductees Canadian Show Jumping Team Horse Showgirl Retired Surbey and White to Represent Canada at World Cup Final Canadian Success Stories Jump Canada Youth Bursary Recipients Announced for North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Criteria Attention Officials! Longines World Rider Rankings Acknowledgments Michelle C. Dunn With spring upon us, I think all of us are looking forward to warmer weather and longer days. We will soon be welcoming home our lucky friends who spent their winter at warmer show venues south of the border, and our own summer horse show season will be here in no time. Canada competed in two FEI Nations Cup events in Florida this year, one in Ocala and one in Wellington. The evercomplicated Rolex/Longines sponsorship issue led to the first Nations Cup in Ocala being a qualifier for the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain, in September, while the Nations Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington was a stand-alone class. As a result, two of our Canadian Team members competing at WEF opted to give their younger horses an opportunity to rise to the occasion and gain valuable Nations Cup experience. While the results were not outstanding, the value of jumping under the lights in a big grand prix ring was immeasurable for those young, developing horses. This year, we are creating a new partnership between JC and the Canadian Hunter Derby Series, successfully run for several years now by the husband-and-wife team of Jeff Brandmaier and Muffie Guthrie. Increased prize money and substantial travel bursaries will ensure that the winners of the Hunter Derby events in western Canada can travel east to compete in the lucrative Derby Finals at The Royal. Additionally, our Under 25 riders will be competing all season in the hopes of qualifying for the National Under 25 Championship at The Royal. Another great opportunity for our up-and-coming riders will be the 2017 North American Junior and Young Riders Championship to be held in Saugerties, NY, for the first time. Qualifying to compete is a very tough and challenging goal to achieve. I look forward to seeing many of you at our shows, and I wish you all a very successful show season. Pamela Law Chair, Jumping Committee Our Canadian shows will once again be featuring a number of the Jumping Committee programs including the Jump Canada Medal series and the CET Medal 1

2 $100,000 FEI NATIONS CUP PHOTO GALLERY CSIO4* Wellington, FL All Photo Credits Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist Eric Lamaze rode Houston in the $150,000 Nations Cup. Ian Millar and Dixson, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, anchored the Canadian Nations Cup Team. Calgary s Vanessa Mannix, pictured here with Grand Cru vd Vijf Eiken, represented Canada in the CSIO division. Eric Lamaze and Yann Candele, literally on the rail! Jennifer Mattell and Cherokee enjoyed a top ten finish in the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Welcome. Kara Chad with EC Director of Sport, Jon Garner. Keean White and For Freedom Z represented Canada as individuals during CSIO week. EC Manager of Jumping, Karen Hendry- Ouellette. Kara Chad signing the official Nations Cup souvenir poster. 2

3 Tiffany Foster rode Cadalora P, owned by Artisan Farms, in the horse s Nations Cup debut. Tiffany Foster and her 2016 Rio Olympic mount, Tripple X III, were Canada s top-placed combination following the jump-off for the $216,000 CSIO4* Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix. Ian Millar with his biggest fan, granddaughter Lily. Vanessa Mannix and Chemas enjoyed a top ten finish in the $10,000 CSIO Speed Stake. Kara Chad showed Ideal de la Hasse, owned by Torrey Pines Stable, as her second horse during Nations Cup week. Canadian Show Jumping Team member Chris Sorensen, currently based in Europe, paid a visit to Wellington to cheer on Team Canada. Vanessa Mannix and chef d equipe Mark Laskin. Ten-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar on the Nations Cup course walk with chef d equipe Mark Laskin, Kara Chad, and Tiffany Foster. Ian Millar and Yann Candele. Alexanne Thibault and Chacco Prime placed fifth in the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Welcome. 3

4 Alexanne Thibault has enjoyed tremendous success in the 2017 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series with her nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Chacco Prime. YOUNG GUNS! PROFILING ALEXANNE THIBAULT By Emily Riden It s 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning prior to the start of the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Semi-Final at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. While the first horse won t be on course for another seven hours, 19-year-old competitor Alexanne Thibault is already at the barn. She and her mount, Chacco Prime, are 19th in the order of go but, before then, Thibault s stalls need cleaning, her horses need feeding, and Chacco needs a light hack. Given that Chacco is the only horse that Thibault is showing that day, it is a light morning for the young up-and-comer from Boucherville, Quebec. By mid-afternoon, Thibault and Chacco have completed the Under 25 Semi-Final with one unlucky rail down to finish just out of the prize money, and it s back to work for Thibault. I m the one who takes care of all of my horses, explained Thibault following the class. I muck the stalls. I feed them. I wash them. I ride them. After this, I have to go hack my two horses that are not showing today, take care of them, wash them, do bandages, groom them, do the stalls again, and then I ll be ready to go! For Thibault, serving as the primary caretaker of her three horses, Chacco Prime, Carlos, and Mr. Carthago, requires a great deal of responsibility and hard work, but that hard work is beginning to pay off ten-fold. From Ponies to Prix Until three years ago, Thibault had never set foot in the jumper ring. Like many young riders, Thibault s passion for the sport started with one just for fun riding lesson, and, before long, it had evolved into the Thibault family purchasing its first pony. Thibault spent the bulk of her junior riding years successfully competing in the pony hunter divisions, catch riding, and showing numerous ponies, even claiming multiple championship honours in the pony hunter divisions at the Royal Horse Show. While Thibault was excelling in the pony hunter classes, her younger sister, Coraline, now 16, was delving into the jumpers. It was actually my sister who first got into jumpers, said Thibault. At the beginning, I wasn t sure if I liked it because I was so used to hunters. Then she bought a horse, and I saw her and was helping her out. So I thought, Why not?. She initiated me into the jumpers. 4

5 Since that first initiation, Thibault has fallen in love with jumper competition. In May of 2016 she purchased Chacco Prime, her nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Chacco Blue, and Mr. Carthago, her seven-year-old gelding. We bought Chacco Prime as a prospect for the 1.40m level, said Thibault, who currently trains with Laurie Bucci while in Quebec and Francis Berger while in Florida. Chacco had only done the 1.30m and a couple of 1.35m in Europe, and I wanted a horse to go in bigger classes and move up. We knew he could jump 1.40m, but I didn t know up to what height he could jump. But we just kept going! Thibault began the 2016 season by competing Chacco Prime in the 1.20m divisions before moving up to the 1.30m. By summer, the pair was successfully contesting the 1.40m division, competing in small grand prix events in Quebec as well as being named the 1.40m Champion at the Ottawa International Horse Show. In November, Thibault and Chacco Prime posted top ten finishes in all three classes comprising the Jumper/Amateur Jumper division at Toronto s iconic Royal Horse Show. Alexanne Thibault, left, on the course walk with fellow Under 25 competitor Jennifer Mattell and her trainer, Francis Berger. This winter, Thibault competed Chacco Prime throughout the tenevent Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series at WEF in Wellington, FL, with consistent results qualifying her for the highlycompetitive $50,000 Under 25 Final. During week eight of WEF, Thibault enjoyed a top five finish in the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Welcome. That was the best finish for Canada in the class, so I was happy that I got to represent my country in that way, said Thibault. There are a lot of really great young riders here, so that was nice. Thibault is also experiencing enormous success with Mr. Carthago, who carried her to two Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Championship titles during weeks seven and eight of WEF. Jumping Higher As Thibault s first full WEF season comes to a close, she and her horses will return to Quebec with several new ribbons and a lot more experience to their names as they begin working toward Thibault s future goals. Outside of the show ring, that includes continuing her education. Currently, Thibault is attending CEGEP, a two-year option in Quebec placed between high-school and university that allows students to complete general education courses while making further decisions about the career path they might ultimately like to pursue. The ability to complete on-line classes has allowed Thibault the flexibility to compete in Florida while also working toward her future career goals. I really like criminal law; that s something that really interests me, said Thibault. I m also interested in psychology and took a course in it that I really liked, so I m considering those options. In the show ring, Thibault also has big plans for the future. Alexanne Thibault, 19, of Boucherville, Quebec. My career has just started in the jumpers, Thibault said. Now, I m hoping to be able to go show in Europe a little and start showing in the CSI classes. I d like to go in the bigger grand prix events with Chacco, hopefully. If I can also get some new ones as well to do the big-level jumpers, that s what I would like. This summer, Thibault will be a young gun to watch on the Canadian show circuit, with plans to compete at Bromont, Angelstone, the Ottawa International Horse Show, and many others throughout Quebec! 5

6 PROFILING THE JUMP CANADA HALL OF FAME S NEWEST INDUCTEES The tenth edition of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala, presented by BMO Financial Group, was held on Sunday, November 6, 2016, in Toronto, ON. Another soldout event, over 300 attendees gathered at the Liberty Grand to celebrate four new inductions into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame. Michelle C. Dunn Each month, we will be profiling the new inductees. The first inductee profiled was Elizabeth Bordeaux in the category of Builder, whose lengthy list of tireless volunteer efforts are unlikely to ever be matched. Next, we celebrated the accomplishments of Marion Atkinson, our inaugural inductee in the newly created category of Groom. This month, we look at the storied career of Glen Owen, the horse that carried Laura Tidball Balisky to victory in the 1980 ASPCA Maclay Medal Final, securing the first win for Canada. Equitation Horse: Glen Owen In the ten years since its inception, the Jump Canada Hall of Fame has inducted animals into the categories of Pony, Hunter Horse and Jumper Horse. This year, a very special horse prompted the creation of a new category, Equitation Horse. Glen Owen has the unique distinction of carrying the first Canadian to victory in the 1980 ASPCA Maclay Medal Final, the most prestigious equitation competition for junior riders in North America. But Glen Owen s story began on Vancouver Island when the then fiveyear-old thoroughbred, who had raced as a three and four-year-old, was purchased for Laura Tidball Balisky. Laura asked for a horse for her 11th birthday and her mother, Dianne Tidball, enlisted the help of Vancouver area trainer Lindy Townley to find one. A trip to Vancouver Island to try Glen Owen was a success, and the partnership between Laura and the chestnut thoroughbred gelding, born in 1969, began. As their partnership progressed, so did Laura s riding career. When she was 14, she began training with the legendary Ronnie Mutch. By the time she was 16, she had qualified for the ASPCA Medal Final, which was held at the time in New York City s Madison Square Garden as part of the iconic National Horse Show. There was no bigger stage for a teenager, never mind one from Canada, but the strength of her partnership with Glen Owen surpassed all else, and Laura and Glen Owen found themselves making history as the first Canadian winners of the ASPCA Maclay Medal Final. Two-time Canadian Olympian and former student Tiffany Foster presents Laura Tidball Balisky with the Jump Canada Hall of Fame Award for Glen Owen. Jump Canada Hall of Fame Their success would continue the following year when they qualified for, and won, the 1981 A.H.S.A. Medal Finals, now called the Pessoa USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Again, Glen Owen carried Laura to the title which had never been won by a Canadian. Glen Owen, pictured with Laura Tidball Balisky, was inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame in the category of Equitation Horse. The time eventually came for Laura and Glen Owen to part ways. Laura followed the path to becoming a Canadian Olympian, aided by the strong foundation developed during her equitation training with Glen Owen. There were younger riders still to teach, and Glen Owen was leased to W.T. Timmy Kees, a well-known equitation trainer based in Connecticut. From 1982 to 1985, Glen Owen would carry Kees s students to four more Medal victories, including in 1983 when he again won the A.H.S.A. Medal Finals, this time with Laura O Connor up. Steve Heinecke was another student who benefitted from Glen Owen s experience. The pair won the ASPCA Maclay Medal Final in 1985, making Glen Owen a two-time winner with two different riders. It is said that a successful equitation horse must be physically strong, talented at its job, and patient with its rider. Part athlete and part teacher, the equitation horse truly is a unique animal within our sport. No horse has embodied this more so than Glen Owen, Canada s first equitation superstar. Presented by Equestrian Management Group 6

7 CANADIAN SHOW JUMPING TEAM HORSE SHOWGIRL RETIRED Showgirl, the horse acquired for Yann Candele and the Canadian Show Jumping Team in 2013, officially retired following her last competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, on March 18, The top-placed Canadian horse at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, under Jonathan Asselin, Showgirl was acquired for Candele by a group of owners known as The Watermark Group, who were committed to supporting Canadian show jumping Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze orchestrated the purchase of Showgirl and was one of her owners alongside John Edwards, Jennifer Rogers s Uplands Farm, Deborah Roy s Albro Creek Farm, and Andy and Carlene Ziegler s Artisan Farms. As Canadians, we have great riders but struggle to keep top horses for them to ride, said Lamaze, who has won Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medals for Canada. Yann is a world-class competitor and teammate, and I felt acquiring Showgirl was the perfect opportunity to support both a talented athlete and strengthen the Canadian Show Jumping Team. Luckily, this great group of people agreed with the idea of securing a horse specifically with team competition in mind, and did not hesitate to join me in forming The Watermark Group. Under Candele, Showgirl, a 17-year-old chestnut selle francais mare (Gold de Becourt x Vedette Normande - Elf III), represented Canada at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Candele s birthplace of Normandy, France. There, Candele and Showgirl were the top performing members of Canada s eighthplaced team. The following year on home soil, Candele and Showgirl were instrumental in leading Canada to the Team Gold Medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. The victory also secured a starting place for Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Winning the gold medal, as well as qualifying for the Olympics, in front of our friends and fans was an unbelievable experience, and it was great to share that with the owners of Showgirl, who were all in attendance, said Lamaze, who was Candele s Pan Am Games teammate alongside Tiffany Foster and Ian Millar. It was extraordinary to see everyone coming together with a common goal, and to see Yann and Showgirl doing great things for Canada. In addition to representing Canada at two major games, Candele and Showgirl claimed the 2013 Canadian Show Jumping Championship title and, in 2014, led Canada to victory in the Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida, as well as second place in the c1,500,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain. It was very exciting, said Candele, who represented Canada in a total of nine Nations Cup competitions with Showgirl. I want to thank everyone for their support and for giving me the opportunity. I was very pleased to see the owners coming together to try to put the best team possible together for Canada. There were many very Yann Candele and Showgirl, owned by The Watermark Group, represented Canada at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, and led Canada to a team gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in front of a home crowd in Toronto, Canada. 7

8 special moments together, and I want to thank each of the owners for giving me this incredible time with Showgirl. When Showgirl ended her international jumping career in 2016, the reins were passed to Mackenzie Edwards of Calgary, AB, the 20-year-old daughter of Watermark Group member, John Edwards. In her final competition, Showgirl left all the rails in place with Edwards in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Classic held Saturday, March 18, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Showgirl will now enjoy a well-earned retirement, potentially as a broodmare. I would like to thank the owners for supporting Yann Candele and the Canadian Equestrian Team in this venture, and for securing an incredible horse for Canada, concluded Lamaze. It was great to see a group of people come together to support a Canadian athlete and make another fantastic horse available to Canada for major games team competition. They are all terrific owners - truly a great group of people - and so generous in their support. I can t thank them enough for believing in the idea, and for believing in Canadian show jumping. Showgirl, pictured with Yann Candele, has been retired following an illustrious international show jumping career for Canada. SURBEY AND WHITE TO REPRESENT CANADA AT WORLD CUP FINAL Christopher Surbey of Calgary, AB, and Keean White of Rockwood, ON, will represent Canada at the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, Nebraska, from March 29 to April 2. Surbey, 30, will be making his World Cup Final debut riding Chalacorada, a 15-year-old bay Holsteiner mare owned by Linda Southern-Heathcott and Spruce Meadows Ltd. In his second World Cup Final appearance, White, 34, will compete with For Freedom Z, a 12-yearold Zangersheide gelding owned by Angelstone Partners. Surbey and White are two of 38 athletes vying for the annual World Cup title at the CenturyLink Center Omaha. Chris Surbey Jump Media Jump Media Keean White 8

9 CANADIAN SUCCESS STORIES ESI Photography HAROLD CHOPPING Canada s Harold Chopping piloted Basje to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix held on February 23 at HITS Ocala in Ocala, FL. Chopping and the ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Larino x Lando) owned by Kendra Bullington were one of 19 competitors to advance to the jump-off from the original 51-horse starting field over the track set by Mexican course designer Manuel Esparaza. The pair delivered a quick and clear round in the heavily contested race against the clock to take the win with a time of seconds over runner-up Brandie Holloway, who stopped the clock in seconds riding Lucky Strike. Aspect Photography FEMKE VAN DEN BOSCH Hot in Arizona! Femke van den Bosch won the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix held on Sunday, February 19, as part of the HITS Winter Classic at HITS Arizona in Tucson, AZ. The native of Red Deer, AB, earned the victory about Dereusa S, a nine-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood mare owned by her father, John van den Bosch. Two weeks later, van den Bosch and Dereusa S again stood in the winner s circle, this time having claimed victory in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix held Sunday, March 5, as part of the HITS V Arizona Winter Festival. Sportfot DAVID ARCAND David Arcand, 27, of Mont-Royal, QC, won the CSI2* 1.40m class held Wednesday, March 8, during week nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Arcand s victory in the power and speed class came aboard Hawai van Paemel, a ten-yearold Belgian Warmblood mare (Nonstop x Randel Z) owned by Santos Equestrian Investments. Finishing in second behind Arcand was Freddie Vazquez of Puerto Rico aboard Bachelor 4 while 2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil rounded out the top three with Chaco 34. TIFFANY FOSTER Two-time Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster and her veteran partner, Victor, won the $86,000 CSI5* 1.50m Suncast Classic on Sunday, March 12, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. From an original 51-horse starting field, Foster and the 15-yearold Dutch Warmblood gelding (Elmshorn x Grandeur) owned by Andy and Carlene Ziegler s Artisan Farms and Eric Lamaze s Torrey Pines Stable, were the eighth of ten horse-and-rider combinations to return to jump-off over the course set by Ireland s Alan Wade. The pair stopped the clock in seconds to claim victory over two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward with a time of seconds riding Tina la Boheme. 9

10 Sportfot ESI Photography SAM WALKER Sam Walker of Nobleton, ON, won the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday, March 19, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Walker and Twan, a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Missy Clark and Stephex Stables, were one of ten entries from the 37-horse starting field to advance to the jump-off. The duo claimed victory with a clear jump-off time of seconds, nearly two full seconds ahead of second place finishers Charlise Casas and Rembrant Blue, who finished in seconds. Walker, 14, has also enjoyed great success in the equitation ring throughout the WEF season, starting with a victory in the ASPCA Maclay held on January 15 as part of WEF week one. Walker beat out 35 other entries to take the win aboard Charmeur, owned by North Run Inc. TAMIE PHILLIPS Canada s Tamie Phillips was the runner-up in the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix held Sunday, March 19, at HITS Coachella in Thermal, CA. The Alberta resident and her mount Cristar, an 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Cristo x Quinar Z) owned by Merle Gardner, were one of just six entries to jump-off for the lucrative prize money. As the third challenger to return over the Alan Wade-designed course, Phillips took over the lead with a clear time of seconds. Only eventual winners Mandy Porter and Milano would topple that time, going clear just fractions ahead of Phillips in seconds. Rounding out the top three were Cian O Connor of Ireland and his mount Good Luck, owned by Canada s Adena Springs in partnership with O Connor s Ronnoco Jump Ltd. KIM FARLINGER Kim Farlinger, 32, of Orangeville, ON, won the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix held Sunday, March 19, at HITS Ocala in Ocala, FL. Farlinger topped an 11-horse jump-off aboard Charming Force B, a ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Vleut x Flipper) owned by Kim Farlinger Stables Ltd. With a winning time of seconds, the duo finished nearly two full seconds ahead of second place finisher and fellow Canadian Harold Chopping, who stopped the clock in seconds aboard Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington. AMY MILLAR Amy Millar of Perth, ON, bested a 71-horse starting field to win the $35,000 CSI2* 1.45m on Friday, March 24, during week 11 of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Millar and Heros, her 2016 Rio Olympic mount, were one of seven combinations to advance to the jump-off. Millar and the ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Canadian River x Clinton I) owned by Ammo Investments produced a clear round in seconds over the short-course, designed by 2016 Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, to take the victory. Second place went to Lucas Porter of the United States riding B Once Z who finished on a time of seconds. 10

11 JUMP CANADA YOUTH BURSARY RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 The EC Jumping Committee has selected seven worthy individuals as recipients of the Jump Canada Youth Bursary for 2016, made possible through a leadership donation by the Samuel Group of Companies. Each year, the Jumping Committee selects recipients of the Jumping Youth Bursary program based on the strength of applications received. Elements considered in the application process include a transcript of grades and outline of academic curriculum; future educational plans; equestrian experience; commitment and dedication to their sport; a positive image within the sport; achievement of notable competition results, whether at the local, regional or national level; goals within the equestrian industry; and financial need. In recognition of the challenges young riders face as they strive to continue their education while riding at the upper levels of jumping sport, the Jump Canada Youth Bursary program was developed for athletes between the ages who compete in hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Megan Champoux guided Brighton to victory in the 2016 CET Medal National Final at the Royal Horse Show. The following athletes have been awarded a Jump Canada Youth Bursary in the amount of $2,000 each in recognition of their hard work and dedication: Megan Champoux, 17, of Aldergrove, BC, has been competing since the age of five and has experience competing throughout North America including California, Florida, Washington and Alberta, as well as her native British Columbia. Her accomplishments to date include being a Thunderbird Legacy Scholar recipient and winner of the Thunderbird Good Hands & Seat Finals; winning three international and Canadian Hunter Derbies; winning the Milner Downs Six-Bar; and earning numerous year-end championship titles. Known for her strong equitation skills, Champoux won the 2016 CET Medal National Final at the Royal Horse Show and finished third in the 2016 ASPCA Maclay Medal Regional Finals for Zone 7. Champoux s goal for the future is to further her riding experience and knowledge in order to represent Team Canada. A dedicated student, she has been studying hard for her SAT and ACT exams with the goal of attending an NCAA Division 1 university in the United States. Samantha Cowan, 20, of North Bay, ON, began her involvement with horses at the age of nine. She has worked her way up from the Short Stirrup level all the way to the 1.30m junior jumper division. Having discovered her passion for jumping while competing at the Trillium level in Ontario, Cowan competed successfully in the 0.90m and 1m Trillium Jumper divisions, qualifying and competing at the Trillium Championships. From there, she moved up to the national level and also traveled to Ocala, FL, where she earned consistent results in the Medium and High Child/Adult Jumper divisions and claimed a Reserve Championship title. Cowan s short-term goals include competing in the Under 25 series in Canada and the United States with the long-term goal of consistently competing at the grand prix level. A student at the University of Guelph majoring in Psychology, Cowan intends to pursue a graduate degree and career as a Sports Psychologist and Mental Performance Coach. Erica Forgeron, 19, of Quispamsis, NB, has loved horses all of her life and, after succeeding as a gymnast, decided to take riding lessons at the age of 11. A hard-working athlete, Forgeron has competed on the Maritimes and Quebec circuits, starting in the Short Stirrup division and working her way up to the 1.10m jumper division, accumulating many division championships and sportsmanship awards along the way. Forgeron s highlights to date include qualifying and competing in the Large Pony Hunters at the 2012 Royal Horse Show, representing New Brunswick at the 2014 and 2015 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships, and finishing first overall in CET Medal Atlantic Region in Having completed one year of university with a double major in Biology and Kinesiology, Forgeron made the Dean s List in In the fall of 2016, she transferred to the University of Calgary to pursue a double major in Science and Kinesiology with the ultimate goal of attending medical school to become a Cardiologist. Alex Jamael, 19, of Mactaquac, NB, grew up around horses and started taking lessons at the age of six. Honing his riding skills through the Canadian Pony Club and the EC Learn to Ride program, Jamael developed a passion for jumping. Having already achieved so much in his jumping career, including finishing third overall in the Junior Jumper division at the 2015 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, he entered the Grand Prix ranks, winning the Coveside Classic Grand Prix in 2016 in Chester, NS. Balancing his education and career, Jamael spends time training and competing in Florida while working toward a Business degree through on-line courses at New Brunswick University. In partnership with his brother, Jamael also runs Fox and Foal Equestrian, which creates custom jumps and tack boxes. Through the business, Jamael uses horse show sponsorships as a means of giving back to the equestrian community. 11

12 Kassidy Keith, 19, of Nanaimo, BC, began riding at the age of three and has progressed through the hunter and jumper levels from Short Stirrup all the way to grand prix. A strong equitation rider, Keith won the National Finals for both the JC Medal and the CET Medal in That same year, she won the Thunderbird Good Hands & Seat Medal Final and also competed at the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Medal Final in Lexington, KY. In 2016, she earned multiple provincial championship titles and made her debut at the grand prix level, earning a top ten finish in the J.C. Anderson Memorial Grand Prix at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary, AB. For the 2017 season, Keith s goals include moving up to the 1.50m level and pursuing EC/NCCP certified coaching credentials. A hard-working student, Keith was accepted to the University of Fresno in 2016, but deferred her entrance into a business program to the fall of 2017 in order to concentrate on her working student position with Equimark Stables. Katrina Komitsch, 16, of Calgary, AB, has been hooked on horses since attending a Christmas riding camp at the age of six. Having progressed through the ranks of ponies and junior hunter divisions, Komitsch entered the equitation ranks, winning Kassidy Keith and Wallabee won the CET and Jump Canada Medal Finals at the 2015 Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. the 2015 CET Prairie Medal Finals and finishing second in the JC Medal National Finals at the 2016 Royal Horse Show. She also had the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2014 Friendship Games in Panama where she won Junior Equitation and Sportsmanship awards. Impressively, Komitsch made the leap all the way from the CET Medal to the 1.45m grand prix level in After graduating from high school, she plans to continue competing with the ultimate goal of representing Canada at the Olympics while also pursuing a veterinary degree with a specialization in holistic medicine in order to enhance the health and performance of show horses. Campbell Legere, 15, of Hammond Plaines, NS, has been riding for over ten years, accomplishing a great deal in that time while also showing compassion and generosity. Legere has progressed from the Pony divisions to Children s and Junior Hunter, earning Zone Championships each year and qualifying and competing at the Royal Horse Show six years in a row. She has also entered the jumper ranks, competing at the 1.20m level with plans to move up to 1.30m in 2017, as well as making her debut in the CET Medal and JC Medal series. Her overall goal is to represent Canada at the FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championship (NAJYRC). Currently a high school student, Legere plans to attend medical school in the future and focus on neurology and surgery in order to help those with brain injuries. For more information regarding the Jump Canada Youth Bursary Program including the application process, please visit www. equestrian.ca/programs-services/athlete-development NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR AND YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS CRITERIA This year s North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) will be held in Saugerties, NY, from July 18 to 23. Full criteria is available here. In addition, the North American Children s Jumper Championship has been added to the line-up for riders aged 12 to 14. Full criteria is available here. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, May 2. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. For more information, please contact Beth Underhill, Talent ID Committee Chair, at (416) or at bustables@aol.com. Underhill is supported by committee members Laura Balisky, David Ballard, Dayton Gorsline, Hyde Moffatt and Marni von Schalburg, Questions regarding the administrative processes and declarations may be directed to Crystal Labelle, EC Coordinator, Jumping at ext. 142 or clabelle@equestrian.ca. ATTENTION OFFICIALS! Please note that any EC Senior Judges wishing to obtain FEI Level 1 status must be approved by Equestrian Canada and the Jumping Discipline before attending any FEI course. Judges wishing to contest an FEI Level 1 course must meet all FEI requirements, as outlined in the rules, prior to submitting their application and c.v. for consideration. 12

13 LONGINES WORLD RIDER RANKINGS TOP 20 CANADIAN RIDERS as of February 28, Eric Lamaze Tiffany Foster Keean White Vanessa Mannix Ian Millar Elizabeth Gingras Yann Candele Chris Surbey Jonathon Millar Erynn Ballard 675 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EDITORIAL BOARD 261. Jaclyn Duff Ben Asselin Ali Ramsay Amy Millar Kara Chad Beth Underhill Lisa Carlsen Brian Morton Mac Cone Nicole Walker 290 Elizabeth Bordeaux, Karen Hendry-Ouellette (ex-officio), Pamela Law, John Taylor, Jennifer Ward (Editor), and Nancy Wetmore CONTRIBUTORS EC STAFF CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS LAY-OUT AND DESIGN PUBLISHER TRANSLATION CONTACT US Pamela Law, Emily Riden, and Jennifer Ward Karen Hendry-Ouellette and Crystal Labelle Aspect Photography, Michelle C. Dunn, ESI Photography, Jump Canada Hall of Fame, Jump Media, Sportfot, and Inc. Equestrian Canada Pas de deux Communications The Jumping Committee is the committee of Equestrian Canada responsible for all hunter, hunter equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. For more information regarding Jumping programs and activities, visit: 13