Leading the way for the Juniors is Saunders, 17, of Sundre, AB, who earned a Canadian record top-20 Individual Female finish at the 2019 event. She competed as the youngest squad member at the FEI World Championships for Seniors in 2016 and also went to the Tryon 2018 World Equestrian Games as a squad reserve.
The event represents the first international championship for fellow Albertans, Cochrane’s Klotz-Dedora, 14; Strathmore’s Leeper, 17; and Edmonton’s Row, 14.
For the Senior competition, it will be 20-year-old Delta, BC, native Hammond’s turn to hold the red and white standard. Most recently, she earned a first-place Pas-de-Deux finish partnered with Alyssa Stoddard of the United States and a second-place Individual finish at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Cup CVI 3* with lunger, Todd Griffiths and Cambry Kaylor’s 2010 American Warmblood gelding, Cabo San Lucas.
The athletes will be supported on the ground by Chef d’Équipe, Jeanine van der Sluijs.
To support Canadian vaulters on their way to the 2021 FEI World Championships, visit www.equestrian.ca/donate and select “Vaulting”.