2024 ISSEA World Cup
Photo Credit: Elpita Photo SA
Submitted by Raylene McWade
Saddle Seat riders, coaches and the board of Saddle Seat Canada are setting their sights on the next International Saddle Seat Equitation Association’s (ISSEA) World Cup event scheduled for June 29-July 2, 2026, in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Saddle Seat Canada is pleased to announce the coaches for Canada’s World Cup team are Brittany Rogers and Catriona Kozijn, both of Alberta. Currently applications from riders are being evaluated with team tryouts being planned for November 29th in Strathcona County, Alberta.
ISSEA World Cup events started in 1996 with the 3 Gaited competition with the 5 Gaited competition added to the event some years later. Competitors from Canada have had the opportunity to compete with the best saddle seat riders in the world from the United States of America, South Africa, Namibia, Great Britain, and Germany over these past three decades. The most recent World Cup was held in Parys, South Africa in December of 2024. The Canadian riders, coaches and supporters all had the opportunity to make memories to last a lifetime. Many have expressed their gratitude in having the opportunity to travel to South Africa and receive such a warm welcome and enjoy such great competition at this international event. Riders and supporters were able to experience some of the South African culture and activities such as safari excursions, travel to different parts of the country before and after the competition as well as other opportunities such as invitations to come back and show at the South African Outdoor Championships!
2024 ISSEA World Cup
Photo Credit: Elpita Photo SA
World Cup 2026 promises to be another wonderful event, hosted by the United States Saddle Seat Association. Canada hopes to have riders compete in both the 3 Gaited competition as well as the 5 Gaited competition. Each country will have teams that consists of six riders each for 3G and 5G, who will be paired with horses they have not ridden before. Each rider will have 20-minute practice rides on two different horses that they will be riding prior the commencement of the competition. The competition itself is judged by an international panel of 3 judges, with the first segment consisting of a group class (rail work segment) in which riders demonstrate their showmanship and skill as they navigate their mount around the ring with as many as 12 to 14 other horse and rider combinations. Riders are evaluated in the line up once the class is complete. They are then dismissed from the ring and return to perform individual tests, similar to a dressage test. Scores from the rail work component are combined with test scores to arrive at a rider score. Rider scores are tabulated to arrive at a team score. Each country’s team scores are compared to arrive at final placements for Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Gold medal winners are presented with the coveted World Cup trophies in 3G and 5G.
Saddle Seat Canada is excited to support the riders, coaches and supporters as we all work together toward World Cup 2026!
2024 ISSEA World Cup
Photo Credit: Elpita Photo SA