2005 Jump Canada National Talent Squad Series Begins at Spruce Meadows

The 2005 Jump Canada National Talent Squad Series will open on May 14 with the $2,000 Voice Construction Talent Squad Qualifier held at the Spruce Meadows Spring Run Off in Calgary, AB.

The National Talent Squad Series is a means of recognizing up-and-coming riders who are preparing to enter the grand prix ranks and demonstrate the ability to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team.  There are 24 National Talent Squad qualifiers in the 2005 Series, 10 in the Western Division and 14 in the Eastern Division, each with their own Division Final.  A National Talent Squad Championships is also held at the 2005 Royal Horse Show and is open to the top riders from both the Eastern and Western Divisions.

The best five results throughout the season count towards qualifying for the Championships with a maximum of 20 horse/rider combinations invited to enter the Championships at the Royal Horse Show, ten from each Division.  If riders are unable to attend, the next athlete in the standings from the same Division will be invited.

During the National Talent Squad Final at the Royal Horse Show, riders accumulate points in two phases held over consecutive days.  The rider with the most points during the two days is declared the winner of the 2005 National Talent Squad Championship and will be awarded airfare to the 2006 World Cup Final in Malaysia for developmental purposes, courtesy of the Jump Canada Board.

Riders participating in the National Talent Squad Championships will be able to add their points from the two classes at the Royal to their overall standings.  The overall winner of the standings also gets an invitation to attend the 2006 World Cup Final.  Jump Canada will nominate the top two riders in the overall standings from the Eastern and Western Talent Squad Divisions for a Development Card under the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance program.  If accepted, each athlete will receive a monthly allowance to assist in the cost of further training.  Complete details on the Jump Canada Talent Squad Series are available on the Jump Canada website www.jumpcanada.ca.

In 2004, the Western Division winner was Andrew More of Calgary, AB, with his Trakehner mare, The Sophisticate.  Carly Campbell Cooper of Elora, ON, was the Eastern Division winner with Croft Temptation, her Dutch Warmblood gelding.