The following members of the Canadian Show Jumping team will represent the maple leaf at the quadrennial equestrian event later this summer (in alphabetical order):
- Erynn Ballard, Gakhir
- Tiffany Foster, Figor
- Amy Millar, Truman
- Beth Underhill, Nikka VD Bisschop
Reserve – Mario Deslauriers, Bardolina 2
The High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG) Jumping and chef d’equipe Eric Lamaze have been observing the performances of Canadian riders and horses over the last number of months and were on site at Spruce Meadows this weekend to solidify final selections. The HPAG is responsible for making team selection recommendations that are then approved by the Director, High-Performance and Manager of Sport – Jumping.
“Our Canadian show jumping combinations have been performing very well in FEI competitions across North America and Europe, working together both on their individual combinations, but also as a group to improve all of the team,” said Director, High Performance James Hood. “The riders have bonded and are supporting each other every time out of the gate. The team we have is incredibly strong and we’re thankful to be working together with a great HPAG and chef d’equipe to select a team that has the chance to be on the podium in Herning.”
Herning (DEN) will play host for the first time to the FEI World Championships for the disciplines of dressage, jumping, vaulting and para-dressage. The 2022 FEI World Championships will also be the first qualifier of the triennial for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the disciplines of dressage, para-dressage and jumping.
Canada’s highest rank in show jumping at the World Championships as a team is fifth place in 2010 in Lexington, USA. The team heading to Denmark have been part of a renewed energy and excitement since beginning to work with the Technical Advisor and chef d’equipe Eric Lamaze who was appointed in February 2022.
Beth Underhill (1994 in The Hague, NED, 1998 in Rome, ITA) and Mario Deslauriers (1990 in Stockholm, SWE, 2018 Tryon, USA) will be representing the maple leaf for a third time at the FEI World Championships. Tiffany Foster (2014 in Normandy, FRA) and Erynn Ballard (2018 in Tryon, USA) will be competing in their second, while Amy Millar will be contesting her first championships.
Now in a new role with Team Canada, Lamaze has competed in seven World Championships as an athlete, including winning individual bronze in 2010 in Lexington, USA. Additional support will be provided by team manager Karen Hendry-Ouellette, veterinarian Dr. Eduardo Felix and team leader James Hood.
The team was announced at the conclusion of the Spruce Meadows – ‘National’ CSI 5* June 16 – 19, 2022 in Calgary, AB. In a show of team solidarity, Lamaze, Hood, Hendry-Ouellette and the HPAG were all on-hand to personally name the team. Go Team Canada!
For more information on the FEI World Championships – Herning, please click here
About Equestrian Canada
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. With over 15,000 sport licence holders, 11 provincial/territorial sport organization partners and 10+ national equine affiliate organizations, EC is a significant contributor to the social, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the equestrian industry across Canada. EC thanks the Government of Canada for their financial support.
About the High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG)
The HPAG is created by EC with reporting responsibility and accountability to the CEO. The purpose of the HPAG is to establish the HP strategies, standards, policies, and selection/nomination criteria for the National Team programs and to develop high performance standards and policies for the discipline on behalf of Equestrian Canada.
For media inquiries contact EC Director of Communications, Melanie McLearon, mmclearon@equestrian.ca.