The Official News of the Jumping Committee

Transcription

1 The Official News of the Jumping Committee March 2018, Volume 14, Issue 3 IN THIS ISSUE CET Medal and U25 Declaration Reminders $150,000 Winter Equestrian Festival Nations Cup Photo Gallery Young Guns! Profiling Brady Mitchell Clinics, Clinics, Clinics! What to Know Before You Show in 2018! Thunderbird Show Park to Host Children and Junior Nations Cup Events 2018 North American Children, Junior, and Young Rider Championships Criteria Announced Two Exciting Additions to 2018 Equestrian Canada Convention Line-Up EC Now Accepting Rule Change Suggestions for 2019 FEI Elections and Appointments Success Stories Longines World Rider Rankings Acknowledgments LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Michelle C. Dunn This seems to be the winter that never ends! Although some parts of our vast nation are starting to see signs of spring, others are buried under a foot of snow brought by the latest snowstorm. For those of you who are already riding outdoors, lucky you! For the rest of us, keep the faith; spring will be along shortly. I was fortunate to spend a few days in Wellington, Florida, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in March, and the show continues to grow in scope and excellence. There is so much to look at, and with the quality of exhibitors and horses, it truly is a sight to see. The week I was there, I watched the second Nations Cup competition of the Florida season. Hot off a win in Ocala in February, Canada fielded a team of Ben Asselin, Erynn Ballard, and Ian and Jonathon Millar in Wellington. Surprisingly, with nine faults, Canada failed to be among the top six teams that advanced to the second round. The United States also faltered, incurring eight faults which kept the home side from advancing. It marked the first time in the event s history that both Canada and the U.S. failed to advance. Also during the time I was there, Wellington was the site of Jill Irving s Mentorship program. Jill created this program with the idea of taking six dressage and six jumping competitors down to WEF who might not otherwise have the chance to travel to there to expose them to the competition. Hosted by Jill, the riders were treated to all manner of educational opportunities related to their sports. Hailing from all parts of the country, the riders had a wonderful time getting to know one another as well as learning about each other s individual sports. In addition, they were able to witness the best of both the dressage and jumping worlds competing at the highest level. What a wonderful opportunity. Thank you to Jill Irving! Here s to fairer weather wherever you are, and a successful show season. Respectfully yours, Pamela Law Chair, Jumping Committee CET MEDAL AND U25 REMINDERS CET Medal Declaration In order to participate in the CET Medal series, riders must register in advance of the competitions in order for points to count. CET Medal registration is done through the EC Sport Licence Online Portal and NOT at show offices. Under 25 Series Declaration The deadline to declare for the Under 25 Series is June 30, 2018 and can be submitted through the Online U25 Declaration Portal. 1

2 $150,000 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL NATIONS CUP PHOTO GALLERY CSIO4* Wellington, Florida March 2, 2018 All Photo Credits Starting Gate Communications Keean White was one of two Canadian individual entries in the CSIO division in Wellington, FL. Jonathon Millar was Canada s top performer in the Nations Cup, jumping clear with one time fault aboard Daveau. At the age of 71, Ian Millar served as the Canadian Team anchor. Ben Asselin walks the course for the Nations Cup. EC Manager of Jumping Karen Hendry- Ouellette, EC Board Member Craig Collins, and Talent ID Program Advisor Beth Underhill. Lisa Carlsen and Parette closed out Nations Cup week with a double clear performance to place fourth in the $205,000 CSIO4* Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix. The Canadian Nations Cup team, from left to right: Erynn Ballard, Jonathon Millar, chef d equipe Mark Laskin, Ben Asselin, and Ian Millar. Erynn Ballard and Catoki s Son Z won the $5,000 Lugano Diamonds Welcome Stake on opening night of the CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Canadian Team member Erynn Ballard with her father, international course designer David Ballard. Alexanne Thibault and Chacco Prime jumped clear in the $10,000 Hermes Under 25 Welcome, held during CSIO4* week at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Canadian Show Jumping Team chef d equipe Mark Laskin with Lisa Carlsen, who represented Canada as an individual during Nations Cup week. 2

3 Sportfot Brady Mitchell and Cassanto, the horse that has carried him to the top of hunter sport. YOUNG GUNS! PROFILING BRADY MITCHELL By Emily Riden If you had been looking for four-year-old Brady Mitchell, there was a good chance you could find him just past his Greenbank, ON, backyard where he had crawled through the fence to sit for hours petting the neighbour s ponies. By the time he was five, you may have also found Mitchell, by his own admission, throwing a fit because the local riding stable said they would not take students until they were six years old. Just a few months later, you could have found Mitchell at that same stable because his mother managed to convince them to make an exception for her son in order to stop his daily tantrums and pleas to ride. Now, nearly 30 years later, as a highly-successful trainer and rider, Mitchell displays that same passion and desire to ride and to be around horses that he did as a child. For the Love of the Horse Despite coming from a family of non-equestrians, Mitchell was seemingly born with a love of horses in his genes. Following his initial introduction to riding, Mitchell became involved in Canadian Pony Club, competing in the Prince Philip Games and participating in rallies and jumper shows, and genuinely enjoying his time with horses. I used to ride my small pony, Clover, all day, said Mitchell of the $800 pony his parents purchased for him when he was nine. I would pack a lunch for her in one side of the saddle bag and lunch for me in the other, and I d hit the road in the morning. I had her at this farm that had 300 acres. I built a temporary stall for her in the woods out there, and I would put her in there and feed her lunch; I would build jumps while she was in there. Because nobody was around, I would build this crazy stuff and go as fast as I could, and she would jump over them. I had the best time. 3

4 The beginning for me was very, very different than it is for kids that grow up showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and things like that, continued Mitchell. Very rarely would I get a chance to go to an A-rated show, but I m actually kind of glad that that was my beginning. I had a lot of fun and learned so much horsemanship. Jump Media His love for horses and his passion for the sport were obvious, and they are part of what led local professional Grace Wanyura, whose Rocabarra Farm was located just minutes from Mitchell s childhood home, to take him under her wing. We made it work for me to have horses to show, explained Mitchell, now 34. We bought and sold some horses inexpensively and kind of clawed our way along. It was really cool there because I rode every kind of horse you could imagine, from Appendix Quarter Horses that needed to show as hunters to the occasional time that something would come in from Eric Lamaze s barn that would be jumping huge, and everything in between. Grace really gave me great opportunities. Mitchell spent every minute he could at the barn, and while his parents were not horse people themselves, they did everything they could to support him. I was just obsessed with horses and riding, said Mitchell. It s all I ever wanted to do. After school, before school, and on weekends, I was at the barn. Anything that my parents lacked in means to help me, they gave me in support. They scraped together every dollar that they could and wore ripped jeans so that my horse could wear new shoes. They were fantastic. I m super thankful for them, and for Grace. An Education Abroad By the end of his junior career, Mitchell was training with Marni von Schalburg and had won the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association (OHJA) Medal Final. When it came time to go out into the real world after high school, Mitchell was quick to realize that horses were all that he wanted to pursue. I stopped riding right when I turned 18, and I thought OK, I m going to get a real job, and that lasted about three seconds, laughed Mitchell who, as luck would have it, would soon meet German riders at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto who would offer him a job in Germany. At 19 years old, Mitchell made the move to Europe. While the initial job offer did not pan out as Mitchell had hoped, what was supposed to be a few months in Europe turned into three years, and Mitchell wound up as the head rider for Irish show jumping rider, Jessica Kürten. It was very cool, said Mitchell of riding for Kürten, who was ranked number one in the world at the time. I learned a lot from her. She was hands-down the scariest person I ve ever met in my life. She made me cry like every single day, but I learned a tonne. From there I lived in Belgium. I lived right in the city center of Antwerp, and I worked for John Gray and Ann Symes just outside of the city. I would say that that was when I became a good rider. We had a lot of fancy horses coming and going, and they basically gave me the reins with the horse business. I was on the road buying horses. I was training the horses; I was selling the horses; I was showing. It was a really cool opportunity. An American Heritage With three years in Europe and a great deal of added experience under his belt, Mitchell decided it was time to head back to North America, where he then spent a winter in Wellington, FL, working for Andre Dignelli and his large-scale training and showing operation at Heritage Farm. Andre wanted me to stay on with him at that time, but I said, You know what. I m going to go back to Canada. I really felt like I wanted to branch out and run my own business. So I went back to Canada, and Adam Graham and I had quite a big group of customers, said Mitchell, referring to his longtime business and personal partner. We had quite a good business for a few years. Then I realized it had kind of gone as far as it could for me with hunters in that area, and it just didn t feel like really enough. So I called Andre and I said, Still want me? It was perfect timing for him. I moved to New York, got visas for myself and Adam organized, and I worked with Andre for about five and a half years, which was an unbelievable experience. He s a very, very talented man. 4

5 He s probably the person in my life that taught me the most about how to show a horse, continued Mitchell, who began working with Dignelli largely on the horse shopping and buying end but eventually became a key trainer and rider at Heritage Farm. That s one of his strongest features in my opinion: teaching people how to compete. The experience that you get of having so many horses come in front of you and underneath you all day is invaluable. We had a great time. While working for Heritage, Mitchell also came into contact with Cassanto, the horse that continues to be the highlight of his career thus far. With Mitchell in the irons, the Holsteiner gelding finished third in Mitchell s first $100,000 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA)/World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular at the 2015 WEF in Wellington, FL. I had the round of my life in that handy, it was awesome! recalled Mitchell. That was kind of the beginning of the good times for me with that horse. We went on to the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships that year, and he was Section B champion and third overall. He could not have gone better, and I could not have been happier with my rounds there either. It wasn t my first time in Derby Finals, but I d never ridden a horse like him there, continued Mitchell. You do that and you re like Maybe I can do this! It just takes the right horse one time. I d always dreamt of it. If I had to say what the highlight of my career has been, I would just say Cassanto in general. I ve had horses that are fancier than Cassanto, but I don t love any horse as much as I love him. He was really the horse that brought me to the party with all of this. A Horseman at Heart By 2017, Mitchell was indeed very much a part of the party, having begun to make a great name for himself as a rider, trainer, and horseman. At the end of the 2017 WEF circuit, he decided it was once again time to take a step out on his own. Today, Mitchell is fulfilling the role of his dreams: teaching a handful of great riders and customers while also continuing to ride and compete himself. I am very, very passionate about teaching, said Mitchell. The only time that I lose that desire is if all I do is teach. I have a very nice balance at the moment where I have a small handful of people that I help, and I really enjoy helping them, but then I want to spend the rest of my day riding and buying and selling horses. Mitchell continued, It took me a while actually to realize that this is exactly the path that I want to go down, because I like all of it. I like teaching, I like hunters, I like jumpers, and I like riding. I ve kind of boiled it down to having a couple of people that I help, and that I love helping on hunters or jumpers, and then really focusing on my own riding career in the hunters. In the future, Mitchell hopes to continue to be a strong contender, and ultimately a winner, at the USHJA/WCHR Hunter Spectacular, the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, and for the first time for him, the WCHR Professional Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Through it all, one can be assured that Mitchell aims to never lose the passion for what started it all: his love of the horse. I love horses and I ride because I love horses, not because I want to be a rider, concluded Mitchell. My whole life, I ve always wanted more than just to ride well or to be in the ring. There are hundreds of people that can ride well, and there are hundreds of people that can show well, but there are not that many people that are good horsemen. I want to be a good horseman. What: Jumper Judge Clinic Where: EC Annual Convention, Ottawa, ON When: Friday, April 6, 2018 Clinician: Marjorie Dennis (Canada) CLINICS, CLINICS, CLINICS! What: Hunter/Jumper Course Design Clinic Where: EC Annual Convention, Ottawa, ON When: Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, 2018 Clinician: Chris Brandt (Canada) What: Hunter Judge Clinic Where: EC Annual Convention, Ottawa, ON When: Saturday, April 7, 2018 Clinician: Caroline Jones (Canada) What: FEI Jumping Stewards Refresher Seminar Where: Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB When: September 2 and 3, 2018 Price: $ CDN Course director: Kate Horgan (Ireland) Assistant: Jan Stephens (Canada) 5

6 WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SHOW IN 2018! It s always good to know what s new for This is true for organizing committees creating prize lists, show secretaries confirming entries, course designers, riders and coaches making entries, and officials. Below are a few important rule changes for The red text identifies what has been changed, clarified, or is new. HUNTER JUMPER (Section G) ARTICLE G105 STALLIONS 1. Junior B and C riders must not ride or handle stallions anywhere on the competition grounds. Junior A riders may ride manageable stallions in Jumper classes only. A stallion ridden by a Junior must be accompanied at all times by a competent adult/ handler Person Responsible. 2. Manageable stallions ridden by seniors are eligible for all senior classes. 3. Decisions as to the manageability of stallions are at the discretion of the judge or steward. Unmanageable stallions must be excused from the ring and/or warm-up ring. 4. Stallions may not be ridden in Pony Jumpers. ARTICLE G601 PONY JUMPERS 7. A pony entered in a pony jumper class may not be cross-entered into any jumper classes exceeding 1.10m at the same competition. 8. Stallions may not be ridden in Pony Jumpers. ARTICLE G607 CLASS SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Height of jumps for Junior Amateur classes 1.00m Maximum Spread 1.10m Classes conducted at this height Pony Jumpers, Junior, Amateur ARTICLE G602 JUNIOR ELIGIBILITY Before the year of their 18th birthday, junior competitors may not take part in power and skill competitions (including puissance and six bar), grand prix, or derby competitions where the height of the fences is over 1.50m. ARTICLE G603 JUNIOR 1.00m, 1.10m, 1.20m, 1.30m and 1.40m JUMPERS A horse/rider combination is permitted unlimited upward movement, but downward movement is restricted to only one level. These movements are based on the level of the first G603 JUNIOR class in which they competed. ARTICLE G604 AMATEUR 1.00m, 1.10m, 1.20m, 1.30m and 1.40m JUMPERS A horse/rider combination is permitted unlimited upward movement, but downward movement is restricted to only one level. These movements are based on the level of the first G604 AMATEUR class in which they competed. ARTICLE G706 ORDER OF GO 4. All horses ridden by a single rider must be ridden in the sequence that appears on the officially drawn jumping order in all rounds of a competition unless class specifications call for a new order for a second round and/or jump-off. If a rider with multiple horses competes out of the drawn sequence of their horses in any class with a drawn jumping order, the remaining out of sequence horses will be eliminated, unless the out of sequence rides are approved in advance by the jury. 5. Voluntary move ups are permitted with the approval of the jury. FEI ARTICLE 201 ARENA, SCHOOLING AREAS AND PRACTICE OBSTACLES 4.1. Ground lines may be placed directly underneath the first part of an obstacle or up to 1.00m away on the take-off side. If there is a ground line on the take-off side of the obstacle, a ground line may be placed on the landing side of the obstacle at an equal distance up to a maximum of 1.00m. ALL EQUITATION AND MEDAL CLASSES When showing in the Hunter/Jumper Seat Equitation, it is recommended that riders use traditional stainless steel stirrup irons that promote proper position of the foot in the iron as well as a correct leg position. It is further recommended that riders use stirrup irons that allow judges a clear and unobstructed view of the position of the foot in the stirrup. Judges may not eliminate a rider for using a particular style of stirrup iron. Safety stirrups are permitted. ARTICLE G1107 CET MINI MEDAL CLASS SPECIFICATIONS 1. Open to riders of all ages who are current EC Sport License holders for the level in which they are competing. A CET Medal membership is not required for the CET Mini Medal classes. In addition, in order for points to count toward a provincial final, athletes must be members of the provincial Hunter Jumper association tabulating points for that region. Athletes may compete in more than one provincial final provided all memberships are in place and they have points as per the CET Medal Regional Final Rules. EARPHONES/EARBUDS Earphones/earbuds and/or other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited in the competition arena, and such usage is penalized by elimination. The use of only one earphone/earbud is allowed while mounted everywhere within the grounds of the Event except the competition arena. 6

7 THUNDERBIRD SHOW PARK TO HOST CHILDREN AND JUNIOR NATIONS CUP EVENTS Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, will host FEI Nations Cup events for both Children and Junior divisions during the CSIO5* Odlum Brown BC Open from May 29 to June 3, Athletes wishing to compete in either division should Stefanie Krysiak, Program Coordinator - Jumping at skrysiak@equestrian.ca, expressing their interest and identifying which horse(s) they wish to compete with by Monday, April 16, Specs are as follows: CSIOCh* (Children s Division) A rider may compete in the Children s category from the beginning of the calendar year in which he or she reaches the age of 12 until the end of the calendar year in which he or she reaches the age of 14. Entry Fee per Horse: $600 CAD (VAT excluded) Height of Obstacles: 1.20m CSIOJ* (Junior Division) A rider may compete as a Junior from the beginning of the calendar year in which he or she reaches the age of 14 until the end of the year in which he or she reaches the age of 18. Entry Fee per Horse: $600 CAD (VAT excluded) Height of Obstacles: 1.40m For more information about the Nations Cup events and other Talent ID programming, please contact Beth Underhill, Talent ID Committee Chair, at beth@bethunderhill.com. Questions regarding administrative processes should be directed to Stefanie Krysiak at skrysiak@equestrian.ca or ext Kathy Russell To contact the competition organizer, call Show Secretary Shauna Moule at , shauna@tbird.ca, or visit the website at: NORTH AMERICAN CHILDREN, JUNIOR, AND YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS CRITERIA ANNOUNCED The 2018 North American Children, Junior, and Young Rider Championships (NACJYRC) will be held from August 1 to 5 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York. Cealy Tetley The NACJYRC is an annual event open to athletes aged 12 to 21. Teams and individuals are invited from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean to compete for medals. Designed to mirror major games formats, the Championships introduce and prepare competitors for international competitions under FEI rules as well as give developing riders experience competing as team members. Criteria for Canadian show jumping athletes interested in participating are available here. Please note that the deadline for declaration is April 30, For questions or additional information, please contact Stefanie Krysiak at skrysiak@equestrian.ca or ext

8 TWO EXCITING ADDITIONS TO 2018 EQUESTRIAN CANADA CONVENTION LINE-UP EC Annual Convention Coming to Ottawa The Equestrian Canada Annual Convention will be held from April 5 to 8 at Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa, ON. A wide range of educational, networking, and social events for the Canadian equestrian community will be offered, as well as the annual awards reception. EC has recently announced two exciting additions to the 2018 EC Convention as follows: #RideToTryon Red & White Social Night: Fun, Food & Fundraising with Keynote Speaker Curt Harnett On Friday, April 6, the #RideToTryon will feature fun, food, and fundraising highlighted by a keynote address from Curt Harnett, a fourtime Canadian Olympian and three-time medalist in Cycling, 2005 Canada s Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, 2018 Order of Canada recipient, and Team Canada Chef de Mission for the 2015 Pan Am Games and 2016 Rio Olympics. Known for his boundless passion for sport, incredible sense of humour, and maybe even an infamous shampoo commercial, Curt is a legendary speaker and will treat EC Convention delegates to a keynote address on the power of sport and how it brings people together. Break out the red and white clothing in honour of the Canadian Equestrian Team, then kick back and relax with appetizers and beverages, enjoy a few laughs, and help support the CET on its #RideToTryon for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games through donation opportunities, including a silent auction. #RideToTryon Red & White Social Night tickets are free to all EC Convention delegates who purchase a full convention package or a Friday day pass. The event is also open to the public, and tickets are available for purchase here, with all proceeds donated to the CET #RideToTryon fundraising campaign. Harnett will also be among EC s exciting line-up of speakers on Saturday, April 7, providing an impactful introduction to the Canada s NextGen: Presentation & Athlete Panel session. He will set the tone for an engaging panel discussion about what it takes for youth in equestrian sport to succeed by sharing how he broke through as an up-and-coming athlete for Canada. The Power of an Equestrian Sport Program: Theory & Live Demo at Wesley Clover Parks On Sunday, April 8, utilize free transportation to head off-site to nearby Wesley Clover Parks, home of the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments, for an exciting two-part learning opportunity that highlights the power of a robust equestrian sport program for coaches and athletes. Start your day by attending the morning session with Victoria Andrew, NCCP Master Coach Developer, as she facilitates the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Manage an Equestrian Sport Program Module. This interactive module provides practical education on how to develop a coaching philosophy, report on athlete progress, and manage the administrative and logistical aspects of an equestrian program. All are welcome to attend, and NCCP Certified Coaches will be credited with five NCCP Professional Development (PD) points for completing this Module. All attendees will leave with a workbook to help implement learning outcomes. Stay for the afternoon and enjoy a rider demonstration led by EC Certified High Performance 1 Coach and Canadian Equestrian Team athlete, Chris Sorensen. In this auditor-focused live demo, Chris will interact with the audience while leading three groups of demonstration riders (hunter, equitation, and jumper) through core exercises he incorporates into his equestrian sport program to help riders progressively transition from hunter to equitation to jumper at the high-performance level. Chris will educate the audience on his proven system of developing riders up through the national and international levels, while showing practical examples of his chosen exercises, approach to conditioning, and long- and short-term strategies. Please note that the afternoon portion is not NCCP-affiliated but does qualify as a general PD points opportunity (up to three points) for NCCP Certified Coaches. This full day of engaging education, as well as free transportation between the Brookstreet Hotel and Wesley Clover Parks, is included with the purchase of a full EC Convention pass or a Sunday day pass. Afternoon-only event tickets are also available for the Rider Demo with Chris Sorensen through the EC Convention Registration portal (transportation not included). Register now at For a complete schedule of events, please visit For more information, contact Brent Harrison at bharrison@equestrian.ca or x

9 EC NOW ACCEPTING RULE CHANGE SUGGESTIONS FOR 2019 Members have from January 1 until May 31 each year to submit rule change suggestions. All suggestions for Section G, Hunter Jumper are sent to the Ad Hoc Jumping Discipline Rules Committee. This committee is comprised of experts in hunters, jumpers, equitation, the FEI, competition standards, stewarding, and officials. The group is directly under the Jumping Committee. This group carefully discusses each suggestion, and recommendations are then made for the following year s rulebook. Two things are kept in mind: 1. The history of why the rule was created and 2. Our evolving and changing sport. Care is taken not to cross rules that have their origins in Section A General Regulations. Suggestion can be 1. Rejected with reason, 2. Accepted as is, 3. Accepted with new phrasing, more clarification, etc. Note that FEI rules are automatically updated when published by the FEI. Once this process is complete, the suggestions endorsed by the Rules Committee are sent to the Jumping Committee for final approval. EC discipline committees are responsible for the development and approval of all rules that govern their respective competitions. Suggestions received from Sport Licence holders, if approved by the Jumping Committee, are put forward as Rule Change Proposals. The last step in the approval process is the National Rules Committee (NRC). The NRC is responsible for providing recommendations concerning the establishment of new or amended rules and regulations; the NRC will check for i s dotted and t s crossed grammar. NRC will not contest a rule presented by a discipline committee. If the NRC is not comfortable with a discipline rule change, the change will be sent to the EC board of directors with accompanying reasons. Only the EC board can overturn a discipline rule change suggestion. For more on the responsibilities of the NRC, please see page 17 of the EC Operations Manual page 17, available here. Next! The rule change suggestions, as approved by NRC, are put on line for a member review period. Any rules that are contested by the members at the end of the review period are sent back to the discipline committees for further review and comments. Final decisions and amendments are made by the disciplines, NRC does a final review, and then the EC Board completes the ratification of the final approved rules for the following season. French translation is completed and then, finally, rules are posted on line on January 1 for the competition year. PHASE 1-SUGGESTIONS PHASE 2-PROPOSALS PHASE 3-REVIEW PHASE 4-FINAL APPROVALS January 1 - May 31 Sport License Holders invited to submit Rule Change Proposals. June - August EC Committees review submitted change proposals and decide whether they are accepted as proposed. EC Committees prepare Rule Change Proposals for review. These may include suggestions received in Phase 1. September - October Rule Change Proposals are posted for community review and feedback. November - December Rule Change Proposals may be amended based on submitted feedback. Final proposed changes are approved by the EC National Rules Committee and the EC Board. The Rule Change Process. FEI ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS The process for candidatures for 2018 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) elections and appointments is now officially open, and the complete list of positions for 2018, including details with regards to job specifications and the relevant procedure in terms of deadlines, timelines and candidate requirements, is now available on inside.fei.org. There are 26 positions open to candidacies including FEI President, Athlete Representatives in all the disciplines, Chairpersons for Groups II, VI and the Veterinary Committee, as well as open positions for members of the following committees: Audit & Compliance, Veterinary, Medical, Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting, Reining and Para-Equestrian. The deadline to receive applications for all open positions is 1 May :59 CEST. Equestrian is one of very few sports where men and women compete as equals at all levels of competition. In order to further ensure gender equality and geographical diversity in the decision-making process, the FEI Bureau strongly encourages the candidature of women and urges National Federations not yet represented on FEI Committees to present candidatures for the open positions. For any questions, contact Julie.schlaefli@fei.org. 9

10 SUCCESS STORIES Jump Media BRADY MITCHELL Brady Mitchell (centre) with ringmaster Steve Rector (left) and Adam Graham (right), rode Kind of Blue to the Green Hunter 3 6 division championship during the Winter Equestrian Festival s World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week, held February An Ontario native, Mitchell and the seven-year-old grey Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Dana Schwartz s Float on Equestrian LLC, earned a second, third, and fourth place over fences, as well as a second place under saddle to take the championship, all during Kind of Blue s second time contesting the division. Jump Media ELIZABETH GINGRAS The win in the $15, m KindredBio Jumper class held Saturday, February 24, at the HITS Coachella Desert Circuit V in Thermal, CA, went to Elizabeth Gingras of Edmonton, AB. Gingras topped the class aboard Coup de Chance, a 12-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cardento x Darco) owned by B Gingras Equestrian Limited, over Colombia s John Perez, who placed second riding Valentino and third with Extra Minkus. Sportfot ROB CAREY Rob Carey of Bolton, ON, rode First Watch to the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3 division championship on March 8 during week nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. Carey and the eight-year-old grey Oldenburg gelding, owned by fellow Ontario native Barbara Mitchell, claimed three first-place finishes and one third-place over fences, as well as a second place in the under saddle to take the division s top honour. 10

11 Sportfot DANIELLE BARAN Toronto, ON, native Danielle Baran rode her ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Say When, to the Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter Middle Section A Championship title during week nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. With Baran in the irons, Say When had first, second, third, and sixth place finishes over fences, as well as the win in the under saddle to claim the division s top honour on March 9 over Garland Alban of Lutherville, MD, riding Capella. Say When is a five-time derby winner at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto with professional Darcy Hayes, having most recently won the $15,000 Braeburn Farms Hunter Derby at the 2017 edition of The Royal. Starting Gate Communications ERIC LAMAZE Three-time Canadian Olympic medalist Eric Lamaze won the $35,000 CSI3* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 on March 15, taking the top prize for the third time at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. Having scored backto-back wins during weeks two and three of WEF riding Chacco Kid, Lamaze earned the week 10 victory aboard Chesney, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Indoctro x Kannan) owned by Andy and Carlene Ziegler s Artisan Farms. A total of 84 entries attempted the track set by Canada s own Michel Vaillancourt with nine jumping clear to qualify for the jump-off. Lamaze and Chesney flew around the shortened jump-off course in a time of seconds to take the win over Amber Harte riding Austria 2, who stopped the clock at for second place. New York s Georgina Bloomberg finished third with a clear jump-off effort in a time of riding Manodie II H. Canadians filled the next two spots with 10-time Olympian Ian Millar taking fourth riding Dixson, and Under 25 rider Jennifer Mattell producing the fastest four-fault effort in the jump-off for fifth place aboard Cherokee. Tied with three-time U.S. Olympic medalist McLain Ward for the most WEF Challenge Cup wins at 27 apiece before the event, Lamaze now sits alone at the top of the leaderboard with a total of 28 career victories to his credit. 11

12 Starting Gate Communications Starting Gate Communications McCool Photography FRANÇOIS LAMONTAGNE Quebec native François Lamontagne followed up his success as part of Canada s winning team for the $450,000 Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ocala on February 18, with two additional victories at HITS Ocala in Ocala, FL. Lamontagne won the $10, m Classic on Saturday, February 24, as well as the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix on Sunday, March 11. Lamontagne s win in the $10, m Classic came aboard Vigo Massuere, a nine-year-old bay gelding owned by Lamontagne. The pair finished with a jump-off time of seconds to take the win over Dorothy Douglas and MTM icarly, who stopped the clock in seconds. In the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix it was Lamontagne s Nations Cup mount, Chanel du Calvaire, who carried him to the victory. Lamontagne, 34, and his 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Luccianno x Kashmir van Schuttershof) left out two strides to the final fence to finish the jump-off in seconds, taking the win over New Zealand Olympian Kirk Webby riding Brando du Rouet, who stopped the timers in seconds. TIFFANY FOSTER Tiffany Foster of North Vancouver, BC, and Brighton finished nearly five seconds ahead of the closest competitor to blaze to the win in the $70,000 CSI5* Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic held Sunday, March 11 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. Forty-three entries contested the speed class, but none came close to catching the winning time of seconds set by Foster and the 12-year-old dark bay Dutch Warmblood (Contender II x Quick Star) owned by Andy and Carlene Ziegler s Artisan Farms LLC. Second place went to Adrienne Sternlicht of the United States who finished in a time of seconds aboard Pembroke. JIM IFKO Jim Ifko rode Un Diamant des Forets to the win in the $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.45m Jumper Classic on March 24 at the Blenheim Spring Classic in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Ifko, 48, of Calgary, AB, and the 10-year-old selle français stallion (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge) owned by Eventyre Farms Ltd., were one of only two entries to advance to the jump-off over the course set by Mexican course designer, Catsy Cruz. Clear once again in a jump-off time of seconds, Ifko took the win over second place finisher Lane Clarke riding McLord s T.K.O. who finished in seconds. 12

13 LONGINES WORLD RIDER RANKINGS TOP 20 CANADIAN RIDERS as of February 28, Eric Lamaze François Lamontagne Tiffany Foster Nicole Walker Ian Millar Jonathon Millar Keean White Jenn Serek Mario Deslauriers Ben Asselin Erynn Ballard Amy Millar Yann Candele Isabelle Lapierre Vanessa Mannix Rebecca McGoldrick Ali Ramsay Kara Chad Chris Surbey Beth Underhill 340 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EDITORIAL BOARD CONTRIBUTORS EC STAFF CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS LAY-OUT AND DESIGN PUBLISHER TRANSLATION CONTACT US Elizabeth Bordeaux, Karen Hendry-Ouellette (ex-officio), Pamela Law, John Taylor, Jennifer Ward (Editor), and Nancy Wetmore Pamela Law, Emily Riden, and Jennifer Ward Karen Hendry-Ouellette and Stefanie Krysiak Michelle C. Dunn, Jump Media, McCool Photography, Kathy Russell, Sportfot, Starting Gate Communications, Cealy Tetley Starting Gate Communications 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