Canadian Show Jumping Team Set to Compete at 2006 World Equestrian Games

The Canadian Show Jumping Team is set to begin competition on Tuesday, August 29, at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Representing Canada will be Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, riding Special Ed owned by Juniper Farms, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, riding Hickstead owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, riding In Style owned by Susan Grange, and Chris Pratt of Belfountain, ON, riding Rivendell, also owned by Susan Grange.  Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, QC, is the alternate with his own Paradigm.

The first round of competition, a speed phase, will take place on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m.  The two-round Team competition, which determines the Team Medals, will be held over two days, Wednesday and Thursday, with the Team medals being awarded at the conclusion of competition on Thursday evening.  In addition to determining the World Champions, the Team competition also acts as a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games with the best five teams earning their tickets to Hong Kong, where the equestrian portion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be staged.

Canadian Show Jumping Team chef d'equipe, Terrance Millar of Orangeville, ON, has determined the 'order of go' for the Canadian Team in the Nations' Cup.  On Wednesday, Lamaze, who is competing in his fourth consecutive World Equestrian Games, will act as the pathfinder, followed by Pratt, who is making his major games debut.  On Thursday evening, Henselwood, who also competed in the 1994 World Equestrian Games, will be followed by Millar, an eight-time Olympian, as the anchor rider.

Aachen, Germany, has seen an unusually high amount of rainfall since the 2006 World Equestrian Games officially opened on August 20.  The horses and riders will be competing on grass footing in the main arena, and the heavy rainfall is a concern.

"Rain doesn't help but, having said that, Aachen holds up really well in the rain," said Terrance Millar in reference to the famous equestrian facility.  "If you are going to get rain on grass footing, this is the place for it."

Held every four years, the 2006 edition of the World Equestrian Games runs from August 20 to September 3 with the show jumping portion scheduled for August 29 to September 3.  Featuring seven disciplines recognized by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the World Equestrian Games sees more than 800 equestrian athletes vying for the title of World Champion.  Over 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the Games.  For more information, please visit the official 2006 World Equestrian Games website, www.aachen2006.de.

About Jump Canada
Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport.  For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, please visit www.jumpcanada.ca.