(FEI by Louise Parkes) – Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW beat defending double-champions Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League in Amsterdam (NED) today. There were eight Dutch competitors amongst the start-list of 15, but Germany claimed two of the top-three placings when Isabell Werth and Don Johnson slotted into third ahead of Italy’s Valentina Truppa and Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno in fourth.

Langehanenberg’s form in recent months had suggested that it would not be long before she and her lovely stallion would find the key to finishing ahead of the Dutch duo who have dominated the prestigious indoor series over the last few years. At last year’s Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) where Cornelissen came out on top for the second successive season, Ground Jury President, Great Britain’s Stephen Clarke, told the German rider that she had only a little more polish to find in order to improve from runner-up position, and Langehenanberg has worked hard to bridge that gap ever since.

At the World Dressage Masters in Mechelen, Belgium last month she pipped Cornelissen in the Grand Prix only to fall victim to a problem with her music, which stopped during her Freestyle, but it was clear she was now a real threat. Today she showed that result was no fluke as she produced a sparkling test on an afternoon when many others failed to show their very best in the electric atmosphere of the Amsterdam Rai arena. It was a watershed win for Langehanenberg, marking another turning point in her steady march to the very top of her sport.

Personal Best

Sweden’s Minna Telde and Santana went into the lead with a new personal-best Freestyle score of 77.700 with just six horses left to go, but Cornelissen swept that aside when next into the arena with Parzival who racked up 85.425, receiving a colossal 94 per cent artistic score from the Judge at C, The Netherlands’ Ghislain Fouarge. The big chestnut gelding produced lovely, rolling one-time changes on his third start in the current Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage season but was tight and tense at times, his trademark pirouettes not always coming off as smoothly as usual, and it was clear Cornelissen was working to keep his attention.

Despite a couple of naughty moments from Eremo del Castegno, long-time league leader Valentina Truppa from Italy then posted 80.775 to slot into second, but Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH immediately relegated them with a lovely performance that demonstrated the growing strength of this partnership. Werth looks like she is really enjoying her riding these days, and harnessed her horse’s natural power to great effect with deliberate passage, athletic half-pass and a great walk for a mark of 82.050.

Second-last into the ring, things didn’t go quite so smoothly for Dutchman Edward Gal and his relatively new ride, the stallion Glock’s Romanov who never really settled as they put 79.200 on the scoreboard for eventual fifth place.

But Langehaneberg and Damon Hill NRW were super-cool when bringing the class to a close, the 13 year old stallion really rising to the challenge and helping his rider snatch the opportunity they have both been waiting for. “Before I went in, I knew it wasn’t impossible for me to beat Adelinde, but I also knew that I could not afford to lose one point. I had to focus on my ride, to be strong and to think forward”.

Following her instincts to the letter she did just that, never pushing for too much yet producing work of the highest calibre, always balanced and correct and a joy to watch. Spectators held their breath as the judges marks were gathered, and even the home crowd couldn’t resist a gasp of delight as the German lady clinched it with a score of 86.025.

Not Disappointed

Cornelissen was not disappointed however. “Parzival was good, but very spooky, yet I could handle him during the test although I had to work more to keep him focused” she explained. The horse has matured dramatically over the last two years, having often been overwhelmed by excitement during prize-giving ceremonies in his early career. Yesterday however he took fright after winning the Grand Prix, in which Langehanenberg and Damon Hill lined up second, and today he still seemed to be a bit unnerved by the atmosphere of the ring. “He didn’t settle”, Cornelissen admitted afterwards.

Langehanenberg was quietly delighted with her result. “We were here to try to win, and it’s a really good feeling” she said, adding with typical modesty “and it’s an honour to finish ahead of Adelinde. She has really dominated our sport over the last years and has won so much. Now to be able to the in the same league and to be even better is really great!”

Asked if she had been worried that the atmosphere might blow her chances, Langehanenberg replied, “luckily he (Damon Hill NRW) really always like a big noisy arena and a lot of audience – he feels quite good with that!” she pointed out. And when asked if she realised that she has earned herself a big fan-club in recent times she said, “I didn’t notice it until after London (Olympic Games). It is incredible how many people talk to me and come to me to ask for an autograph now, and it’s very nice. I enjoy my sport and my horse, and if that gives other people some pleasure then that’s even nicer!” she added.

Langehanenberg plans to compete in the penultimate qualifying round of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2012/2013 Western European League at Neumunster, Germany on 17 February next. “After that it’s Gothenburg!” said today’s winner whose sights are now clearly fixed on the very top step of the podium when the Final takes place in Gothenburg (SWE) in April.

For further information on the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2012/2013 series in Amsterdam (NED) go to website www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink at Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl or Tel +31 205 445 720/ +31 638 325 326. The next leg takes place at Neumunster (GER) on Sunday 17 February. For details on the German fixture check out website http://pst-marketing.de/index.php/home-vr-classics.html or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel +49 4307 827973, +49 3416 786 012.

Result: 1. Damon Hill NRW (Helen Langehanenberg) GER 86.025; 2, Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) NED 85.425; 3, Don Johnson FRH (Isabell Werth) GER 82.050; 4, Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno (Valentina Truppa) ITA 80.775; 5, Glock’s Romanov (Edward Gal) NED 79.200; 6, Santana (Minna Telde) SWE 77.700; 7, Glock’s Tango (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 76.225; 8, Toots (Imke Schellekens-Bartels) NED 75.300; 9, Luxform’s Popeye (Diederik van Silfhout) NED 72.075; 10, Biggles (Kristian von Krusenstierna) SWE 71.350; 11, BMC Miciano (Marlies van Baalen) NED 71.275;12, Weltzin (Hannah Biggs) GBR 69.050; 13, Uzzo (Patrick van der Meer) NED 68.300; 14, Donnerfee (Claudia Fassaert) BEL 67.875; 15, Unlimited (Stephanie Peters) NED Ret.

Full results at www.jumpingamsterdam.nl

Facts and Figures:

Today’s victory gave Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill their first Freestyle victory over the defending double Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival from The Netherlands.

Amsterdam presented round 6 of the eight-leg Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League 2012/2013 qualifying series.

The competition took place in the Amsterdam Rai arena.

The top-class start-list included the riders that filled the top three placings at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) last season, the 2011/2012 champion Adelinde Cornelissen (NED), runner-up Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and third-placed Valentina Truppa (ITA).

The Ground Jury for the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier in Amsterdam was: At E, Elizabeth McMullen (CAN); At H, Jacques van Daele (BEL); At C, Ghislain Fouarge (NED); At M, Gustaf Svalling (SWE); At B, mariette Sanders van Gansewinkel (NED).

Italy’s Valentina Truppa continues to lead the Wester European League of the 2012/2013 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage series.

Quotes:

Helen Langehanenberg – “My test felt safe today, I didn’t want to do too much because I didn’t want to lose the positive side of the test.

Ground Jury President, Ghislain Fouarge – “I was the only one of the five judges to put Helen second. She was not always with the music but I liked her test very much”.

Helen Langehanenberg – :We have more improvement to make, there was a slight mistake today in the transition from passage to walk”.

Ghislain Fouarge: “The competition we have had here in Amsterdam is the best we have seen all season”.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2012/2013 – Standings after Round 6 at Amsterdam (NED):

1. Valentina Truppa ITA - 67

2. Edward Gal NED - 55

3. Kristina Sprehe GER - 51

4. Minna Telde SWE - 49

5. Helen Langehanenberg GER - 46

5. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven SWE - 46

7. Marcela Krinke Susmelj SUI - 44

8. Isabell Werth GER - 34

8. Sidsel Johansen DEN - 34

10. Imke Schellekens-Bartels - 32

11. Marlies van Baalen NED - 31

12. Anna Kasprzak DEN - 30

12. Patrik Kittel SWE - 30

14. Pia Fortmuller CAN - 28

15. Lyndal Oatley AUS - 23

16. Anabel Balkenhol GER - 22

16. Karin Kosak AUT - 22

18. Charlotte Dujardin GBR - 20

18. Stefan Peter AUT - 20

20. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED - 19

20. Patrick van der Meer NED - 19

Photo Courtesy of FEI by Arond Bronkhorst

(Phelps Media Group) – Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic added a brilliant victory in today’s Gold Coast Opener Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W to their win in Friday’s Grand Prix CDI-W, both at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The pair of strong showings establishes them as top contenders in the World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach at Jim Brandon, which will take place January 24-26.

WDM will be far from a walkover, however. Kittel and Watermill Scandic will go up against many of the top-placed pairs from today’s competition, as well as an array of new challengers that includes Steffen Peters, Edward Gal, and Hans Peter Minderhoud. But Kittel and Scandic impressed both the judges and the crowd with their stirring freestyle routine.

They performed to an assortment of upbeat rock tunes, displaying impeccable passage transitions to “Hot in the City.” “I think it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in the piaffe/passage,” Kittel exclaimed. Although “Dancing With Myself” was also among the musical selections, Kittel and Scandic danced together in complete harmony through rhythmic one-tempis and a striking canter half-pass. The judges awarded them a score of 80.125%.Wellington, FL – January 19, 2013 – Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic added a brilliant victory in today’s Gold Coast Opener Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W to their win in Friday’s Grand Prix CDI-W, both at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The pair of strong showings establishes them as top contenders in the World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach at Jim Brandon, which will take place January 24-26.

WDM will be far from a walkover, however. Kittel and Watermill Scandic will go up against many of the top-placed pairs from today’s competition, as well as an array of new challengers that includes Steffen Peters, Edward Gal, and Hans Peter Minderhoud. But Kittel and Scandic impressed both the judges and the crowd with their stirring freestyle routine.

They performed to an assortment of upbeat rock tunes, displaying impeccable passage transitions to “Hot in the City.” “I think it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in the piaffe/passage,” Kittel exclaimed. Although “Dancing With Myself” was also among the musical selections, Kittel and Scandic danced together in complete harmony through rhythmic one-tempis and a striking canter half-pass. The judges awarded them a score of 80.125%.

As well as remarking on Watermill Scandic’s “unbelievable” piaffe/passage transitions, Kittel praised the horse’s desire to perform. “They have to fight with you when you are competing,” Kittel said. “And he’s one of these fighters. That’s what I love with him. He never gives up. He’s just always trying, always wanting to please the rider, and I think that is one of his best characteristics.”

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard also delivered a strong effort, overcoming a few errors in the walk and one-tempis to place second with 75.775%. They kept perfectly in time with the music throughout, showing off an energetic canter half-pass to “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and bounding through bold extensions to “Soul Man.” “I think we had a lot of fun,” Lyle said with a smile. “He loves his freestyle. He likes it a little too much sometimes!”

As she prepares Wizard for the WDM freestyle, Lyle plans to “get him a little more tired” so that he will be more relaxed in the ring. “He was a little bit amped up in there, so we had a couple little mistakes because of tension.”

Lyle’s coach, Debbie MacDonald, was happy with the pair’s placing. “I’m just very proud of her. I think she held it together, and she was on a horse that looked like a time bomb. But again, the judges really love that edge, if you can maintain it. And that’s the key – if you can maintain it.”

Tinne Vilhelmsson-Silfven and Divertimento’s effortless freestyle placed them just behind Lyle in third, with a score of 74.525%. “It was his second freestyle,” Vilhelmsson-Silfven noted, “so I’m really pleased with him. He got a bit tense with the music since he’s not really used to it. But he’s learning.”

At WDM, Vilhelmsson-Silfven will trade Divertimento for her Olympic mount, Don Auriello. She described Don Auriello as a “showman” who enjoys an electric atmosphere: “He comes in and says ‘Here, I can do this, I’m the best.’ And so it’s a cool feeling to ride him.” The change in horses should make her a formidable opponent for the other WDM riders.

Lars Petersen and Mariett finished fourth after taking the lead in the first half of the competition with 71.725%. Their test, set to a circus music theme, included a precisely executed slowing of a canter pirouette that was timed to coincide with the music.

Animated extensions highlighted David Marcus’ test aboard Chrevi’s Capital, and they overcame a spook midway through the test to take fifth with 69.200%. Marcus felt that having a run-through of the freestyle would “absolutely” be helpful going into WDM. “This was a great warm-up show for us, and I’m going to take him home and just give him a little confidence before the weekend,” Marcus said.

Fellow Canadian Jacqueline Brooks, riding D-Niro, scored 68.825% to repeat her sixth-place effort from Friday’s Grand Prix. Her freestyle music featured selections by Canadian artists. “It’s the first show of the season, so things are a bit rusty, but he really tried hard,” Brooks said. “I don’t think he really made any mistakes – he just needed a little bit more power.”

All six of the riders who finished in the ribbons, as well as seventh-placed Silvia Rizzo and Donnerbube II, return WDM. Kittel, although pleased with his win, does not plan to rest on his laurels. “We have to move a notch up, even, if we want to be in a good spot next week,” he said. “The competition doesn’t sleep.”

“We’re all going to give it a fight, that’s for sure.”

Photo Courtesy of Phelps Media Group

(Phelps Media Group) – Today’s Gold Coast Opener Grand Prix CDI-W showcased horses and riders preparing for next weekend’s World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach, and the WDM competitors certainly displayed their dominance. WDM entrants swept all six ribbons in the Grand Prix, with all but one riding the horses they will compete next weekend.

And if the results from today are a predictor, it seems that Sweden will be a force to be reckoned with. Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic posted 72.723% to steal the win at the last moment from fellow Swedish Olympic teammate Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven aboard Divertimento, whose 71.170% was the leading score until the final ride. At WDM, Kittel will try to duplicate today’s success on Watermill Scandic, while Vilhelmson-Silfven will switch to her Olympic mount, Don Auriello.

The chilly weather at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington, site of both the Gold Coast Opener and WDM, had a few horses on edge in the warm-up, including Watermill Scandic. But most held it together once they entered the ring. Kittel was full of praise for the venue. “The whole place is lovely!” he exclaimed, adding that he would happily show there every weekend if it were “just a bit closer” to his home in Sweden.

Although they triumphed today, the Swedes are preparing for tough challenges from other WDM entrants who finished close at their heels today. Adrienne Lyle, the top-placed American, finished third, scoring 70.830% with her Olympic partner Wizard. “Overall I was very pleased with him today,” she said of Wizard. “It was his first time back since London. I just want to make sure he’s ready, getting back in the groove before next weekend.”

Canadian David Marcus was happy with the performance of Chrevi’s Capital, his WDM mount, who completed a smooth test to finish fourth. “He was very good,” Marcus said. “This was his first show of the season, and he really listened to me and behaved himself.” Marcus also placed just out of the ribbons with Don Kontes.

Denmark’s Lars Petersen, riding Mariett, scored 69.277% to take fifth, while Canada’s Jacqueline Brooks and the striking gray D-Niro put up a mark of 66.213% to claim sixth.

While the World Dressage Masters riders turned the competition into a showcase of their ability, other riders also found the class useful in tuning up their horses for the season. Dr. Cesar Parra was thrilled with Van The Man, who finished just a tenth of a percentage point behind sixth-placed pair Brooks and D-Niro. “I really love this horse!” said Parra, beaming. “His development is really coming along. It’s like good cooking. It takes a little while.”

Several competitors commented that they rode conservatively, preferring a steady performance over a flashy one in what was the first show of the season for many of them. “We were a little bit conservative, but that was our plan coming in,” said Lyle. “Since we’re showing next weekend at the Masters, we just wanted to see where we’re at, make sure everything’s still working. And then we can turn up the heat a little bit for next weekend.”

Kittel also used his test as a trial run for WDM. While Watermill Scandic was “a bit too hot” today, Kittel felt that this outing helped the horse settle into the new environment. “He just needs to have a couple of rounds in his body and relax a bit and see the atmosphere,” Kittel explained. Their preparation for the class was limited by the horse’s quarantine after his arrival from Sweden, which allowed them only two days of practice beforehand. But though he noticed “small things here and there which have to be much better,” Kittel was satisfied with his victory, saying, “You cannot do better than win, and of course it’s fun.”

Many of today’s top finishers will return to the Gold Coast Opener tomorrow to contest the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W. The Freestyle will provide a second chance for spectators to catch a glimpse of the accomplished WDM entrants as they tune up for the big event.

Tickets are still available to see the spectacular line-up in store for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach January 24-26, 2013.

For more Wellington Classic Dressage/World Dressage Masters show information, log on to: www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com

Photos Courtesy of Phelps Media Group – Swedish Olympic teammates Patrik Kittel on Watermill Scandic and Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven on Divertimento return for the presentation

Edward Gal nabbed another grand prix win on Friday at the Amsterdam CDI4*. Riding Glock’s Romanov, the Dutch rider scored a 74.894 percent to win the CDI-W Grand Prix.

Results:

KNHS – Para Dressuur Trophy

Pl. Horse Rider Nation H C B Total %
1. Sanne Voets Sanne Voets NED 73.50 77.00 72.00 77.000
2. Alphaville Frank Hosmar NED 70.50 78.00 69.00 75.167
3. Vaness Demi Vermeulen NED 73.50 76.00 69.00 74.417
4. Spectra Trudy Derks NED 68.00 71.50 64.00 70.417
5. Vico Wald Rixt van der Horst NED 66.00 67.50 64.00 67.583
6. Ricochet Annemarieke Roling NED 64.50 64.00 65.00 64.667
7. Bonymanda Amey Wagenaar NED 66.00 64.00 62.00 64.583
8. Fifty Fifty Nicole Dulk NED 66.00 59.00 62.00 63.000

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage
Presented by Amsterdam RAI
GRAND PRIX (2009)
Pl. Horse Rider Nation H C B Total %
1. Glock’s Romanov Edward Gal NED 73.191 75.745 73.936 74.894
2. Unlimited Stephanie Peeters NED 70.319 70.638 71.489 70.872
3. Luxform´s Popeye Luxform´s Popeye NED 70.106 71.170 67.979 69.340
4. Biggles 1015 Kristian von Krusenstierna NED 68.298 69.149 68.404 68.404
5. Weltzin Hannah Biggs NED 65.319 68.191 67.447 67.106
6. Paradieszauber Catherine Henriquet SWE 67.766 65.106 66.170 66.340
7. Floresco Floresco GBR 66.277 67.021 65.000 66.340
8. HP Frontier Sarah Millis FRA 65.426 68.404 64.362 66.106

(FEI) – The Canadian bid team hoping to host the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018, will present to the FEI Evaluation Commission next month as part of the bid process prior to a final decision on the host city in June. Canada has nominated Bromont, which staged the equestrian events for the 1976 Olympic Games, as the venue for 2018.

The bid committee, which is expected to include the Mayor of Bromont, Pauline Quinlan, and Equine Canada President Mike Gallagher, will travel to FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 26-27 February for meetings with the Evaluation Commission.

A five-strong FEI delegation, representing the Federation’s sports, veterinary, commercial and financial departments, conducted a site visit of the Bromont venue at the end of November last year.

Following the Bromont presentation on 27 February, the FEI Evaluation Commission will produce a report for the Bureau. The Bromont bid team will then return to Lausanne for the in-person Bureau meeting in June and will make a formal presentation, prior to the Bureau vote that will decide the allocation of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018.

The FEI confirmed this week that no signed host agreement had been received from the Austrians before the December 2012 deadline, meaning that Vienna is no longer in the running to host the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018.

“It is of course disappointing to have lost Vienna as one of our bid cities for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos, “but we are very much looking forward to seeing the presentation from Bromont when the Canadians come to FEI Headquarters in Lausanne at the end of next month to present their bid book to the FEI Evaluation Commission.”

(Equestrian Australia) – This management role encompasses leadership within Equestrian Australia’s High Performance Program for Dressage leading the discipline through to the 2016 Olympic Games.

Work Type – This role is a part time position and will be negotiated to attract the best applicant.

Salary – Dependent upon experience and qualifications

Location – Negotiable, Australia

Detailed Description – Implement the Dressage High Performance Plan within the Program’s budgetary guidelines. The NPD provides management and education of high performance riders that will impact on the success of international competition and major championship campaigns. The role of the National Performance Director is primarily a leadership and management role and not a direct coaching role.

The position of National Performance Director is separated into three key areas. These are High Performance Duties, National Team Management and Administration and Reporting. The National Performance Director is expected to fulfil the requirements in all three areas

Critical success factors in this role will be the efficient and effective use of the available resources, development and monitoring of training, competition and management plans for both riders and horses in addition to creating a team environment and culture that supports achieving the stated performance objectives of the Equestrian Australia High Performance Program.

Selection Criteria
High level understanding of the discipline of Dressage at International level
High level organisational and management skills
High level Leadership skills and an ability to work with other team personnel in high pressure situations
Strong planning, analytical and reporting skills

A detailed job description is available HERE.

Further information available from the Chief Executive Officer on 02 8762 7777

Please send applications to sara.latham@equestrian.org.au

Closing Date 14 Feb 2013

(Equine Canada) – Canada’s national equestrian federation has released One Vision – Equine Canada’s Strategic Plan to 2018. The most comprehensive plan in the federation’s history comes after months of national stakeholder consultations with people from all walks of life, and in all parts of Canada, involved with the equine industry and equestrian sport community.

Our Vision Statement – Canadians are inspired to achieve personal excellence and embrace lifelong participation in equestrian activities

Our Mission Statement – From championing best practices to encouraging fun and participation, Equine Canada is the dedicated national voice working to serve,promote and protect the interests of horses and Canada’s equestrian community

“One Vision is Equine Canada’s most ambitious strategic plan to date,” states Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada. “We have established a rigorous set of objectives covering a broad range of activities, from horse welfare to equine and human athlete performance.

“We are excited to be launching this next chapter in our organization’s history. Our sport, our industry is ever changing and we must change with it. To achieve success with our new vision for the future will take the outmost in teamwork, hard work and dedication to excellence,” he adds.

The national organization has established an over-arching aspirational goal:
Equine Canada will be widely recognized as a world-leading sport and equine federation committed to excellence, fair play and equine welfare; a model organization providing an inclusive environment where innovation, partnership and creativity flourish.

Equine Canada will measure the success of its strategic plan against the following benchmarks.
• Improved standards of care for the horse.
• A larger, more dynamic horse industry.
• Increased podium performances at:

o Olympic and Paralympic Games;
o World Equestrian Games;
o Pan-American and ParaPan American Games;
o continental championships.

• A strong national competition system that includes inter-provincial and national championships.
• Programs for competitive development and life-long participation.
• Programs that increase and diversify membership base.
• Sustained organizational structures and processes that promote and support excellence and a culture where innovation and creativity flourish.
• Strengthened connection between member engagement and policy development.
• Through leadership and promotion of the benefits of association with the horse, more Canadians will be inspired to participate in equestrian activities as part of an active lifestyle.
Equine Canada Board of Directors’ initiated the strategic planning process in the spring of 2011, which involved many hours of dedicated volunteer and staff time to bring the plan to fruition. The six-year plan is built upon the foundational belief that Equine Canada is the single national entity whose concerns and activities encompass sport, recreation, industry and equine welfare.

“Everyone, from volunteers, stakeholders, members and staff must be acknowledged for their tremendous commitment to our strategic planning process,” states the President. “Their contributions were absolutely vital.”

An implementation plan is currently under development with staff and volunteers. Semi-annual progress reports will be published on the Equine Canada website under About Us – Governance.