Jessica Rhinelander to Represent Canada at 2008 FEI Young Rider Dressage World Cup Final

Jessica Rhinelander and Allende

Jessica Rhinelander of St. John's, NL, will represent Canada at the fourth annual FEI Young Rider Dressage World Cup Final, to be held December 17–21, 2008, in Frankfurt, GER.

Rhinelander was identified by the FEI as the Canadian representative for the World Cup based on her 2008 results at FEI competitions. She will be competing against the top young riders from around the world, including Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. Riders will get a taste of truly international, world-class competition during the Final, where they will contest the FEI Young Rider Team, Prix St. Georges and Freestyle tests.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity to compete at the Young Rider World Cup. I have heard many great stories about the competition and am counting down the days until I can experience it for myself,” remarked Rhinelander, who is pursuing studies in physical education at Memorial University, Newfoundland. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who has shown their support along the way.”

Rhinelander has worked her way up through the levels with Allende, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Andrea Rhinelander, since he was purchased six years ago. In 2006, Rhinelander and Allende were crowned national champions in the FEI Junior Freestyle division. That same year, they were part of the Canadian team who brought home a silver medal at the North American Junior Rider Championships. They began competing in the Young Rider division in 2007 and in 2008 rode to victories at the Blainville International Classic CDI-W as well as achieving top 5 finishes at the prestigious Dressage at Devon CDI-W.

Rhinelander is presently in Europe with Allende training with Dutch Olympian, Ellen Bontje.

The judging panel at this year’s competition will include Dr. Dieter Schule (GER—FEI O), Ghislain Fouarge (NED – FEI O), Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE—FEI I) Susan Hoevenaars (AUS—FEI I) and Vincenzo Truppa (ITA– FEI O).

Canada’s best placing at the FEI Young Rider Dressage World Cup Final took place in 2006 when Alexandra Duncan of West Vancouver, BC placed fourth on her horse Elektra.

For more information on the FEI Young Rider World Cup Final, please visit the FEI website, www.fei.org.