The 26th edition of the Volvo Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, will be used as a final preparatory event for both U.S. and Canadian Olympic Eventing Team hopefuls, and will attract the biggest names in the sport from around the world.

An established leader in Scandinavian design, luxury and safety, Volvo has a long association with the Bromont Three Day Event.  Volvo has stepped to the forefront with its title sponsorship for this year’s competition, which will play a vital role in determining who will represent their nation at the 2012 London Olympic Games in July.

“We are pleased to strengthen the existing relationship we have with the Bromont CCI for 2012,” said Brad Painter, national marketing manager, Volvo Cars of Canada.  “We look forward to an exciting event, and wish all the athletes the best of luck in the competition.”

Considered one of the most prestigious three day events in North America, and offering the highest level of eventing competition in Canada, athletes will compete for up to $25,000 in prize money and awards offered by the generous sponsors of the Volvo CCI*** Bromont Three Day Event.  In addition to Volvo, Beaulieu Canada, one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of wall-to-wall carpet in Canada, will be a presenting sponsor at this year’s event.

Appropriately, the Volvo Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event is held at the picturesque Bromont Olympic Horse Park, site of equestrian events for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.  Often described as the triathlon of equestrian sport, eventing features three separate phases of competition.  The opening phase, dressage, will be held in Bromont Olympic Park’s multi-million upgraded stadium on Thursday and Friday, June 7 and 8.  The thrilling and spectator-friendly cross-country phase takes place Saturday, June 9, as horses and riders gallop around the course designed by Derek Di Grazia, negotiating natural obstacles at great speed.  The Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event concludes on Sunday with the show jumping phase, which will ultimately determine the overall winners.

Organizers are expecting over 150 horses to compete in the CCI***, CIC***, CCI**, CCI*, and CCIYJ* divisions at this year’s event.  For more information on the Volvo Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event, please visit www.bromontcci.com.

Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden.  The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 41 Volvo automobile retailers across the country.  Volvo lead the list of luxury car brands in the 2012 Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with winners including the Volvo C30, S60, S80, XC60 and XC90.

The name Stacy Westfall first gained meaning to me when I was sent a link to a video featuring Stacy’s 2006 Championship Freestyle Run, when she performed to the song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. She dedicated the ride to her father, who had passed away almost a month prior to the event.

Whizard’s Baby Doll, better known as ‘Roxy’, whom Stacy raised and trained herself, entered the ring with Stacy gently rubbing her neck and tugging her mane with affection. The white outfit Stacy wore, contrasted sharply against the mare’s shiny, black coat. The crowd was already cheering. The performance that followed was stunning. Stacy not only rode completely devoid of any tack, using natural communication through her seat, posture and hands, but also the evident bond between her and the mare. Together they performed effortless, fluid reining moves; sliding stops, spins and turns. Not only did the pair move as one, but the music was perfectly selected and the crowd went wild with emotion.

Stacy was invited to the Ellen Degeneres Show after the video went viral. Even people not into horses had heard of Stacy Westfall and her stunning, beautiful mare, Roxy. Ellen got the chance to see some of Stacy’s moves, and was treated to a ride herself on Roxy. Now, more than ever, was Stacy becoming a household name.

Stacy Westfall had also been busy up until this point. She was the 2003 NRHA Futurity Freestyle Champion (Bridleless), 2005 All American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Futurity Champion,  2005 NRHA Futurity Freestyle Champion, 2006 Road to the Horse Winner, and the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Champion. She is also, the only woman to ever win the prestigious Road to the Horse Competition.

This year, Stacy’s fans were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Roxy. Through it all, Stacy has remained stoic and strong. She continues to give clinics and train. She is visiting several cities in the United States in 2012, but this year Ontario will be fortunate enough to have her just once. Five Star Ranch will be hosting a three day clinic in May. Please visit http://fivestarranch.zymichost.com for details.

Several years ago, I was invited to a new equestrian “circus” called Cavalia that was being presented by the co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soliel, Normande Latourelle. As I took my seat in the stands, I could smell the familiar sawdust and hay and as the lights dimmed and the music swelled, I will never forget gasping that first time the horses entered the arena without riders or reins, perfectly choreographed and groomed to perfection.

Several horses cantered around the stage “paddock” as human acrobats performed gymnastic feats on, off and around the horses but not a beat was missed by either man or beast. It was simply stunning and I was mesmerized by the freedom of the horses who appeared to be under the complete yet invisible control of the trainers and acrobats. The ever-changing video backdrops, the colourful costumes, the human athletic artistry and musical score all worked in harmony to create an unworldly presence and as each vignette was introduced, I felt the crowd become one with the horses.

From May 15th through June 3rd (with possible extensions), Cavalia’s Artistic Director and Founder Latourelle brings his exciting new Odysseo show to Ontario with 70 horses  and 50 artists performing under the world’s largest, most spectacular big top tent being raised at Toronto’s Port Lands.  ‘’With this new creation, Cavalia marries the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. We’ve created a veritable revolution in live performance: the world’s largest touring big top, the biggest stage, the most beautiful visual effects, and the greatest number of horses at play. Most importantly, it’s a world of happiness,’’ Latourelle enthuses.

When I spoke with Latourelle in April, I asked him what inspired his new show: “Cavalia showcased the history of the relationship between humankind and horses. With Odysseo, I wanted to present the entire journey shared by man and horse as they set out to conquer the world. A true partnership that has lasted since the dawn of civilization,” Normand explained. “In fact, the sub-title of the show is “Partner”, with horses and man travelling through time side by side, discovering the planet together.”

“Odysseo will show the horse as man’s devoted and playful friend, sharing space with humankind with a poetic approach,”  he continues. “The horses are trained to respond to minimal soft verbal commands from their trainers who also give subtle visual cues. Everything they do must be a natural behaviour for the horse. We accept the individual horses’ behaviours and style. Each horse shares 2 trainers who act more like horse listeners than horse whisperers. And each human performer wears little or no make-up so the horses can actually recognize the faces of their human handlers when performing.”

Along with its integrated acrobatic stunts, multiple equestrian disciplines and sophisticated high-tech effects using multiple giant video screens, the Odysseo arena also incorporates 25ft high mountains and a prairie set that actually fills with water to form a lake. The fact these 70 equine performers know all their cues and remain calm and unruffled amid the overpowering sets and crowds of appreciative fans is an amazing testament to the diligence and handling of the Cavalia trainers.

The original production, Cavalia: A Magical Encounter between Human and Horse, has been touring since 2003 and has thrilled over three million spectators across North America and Europe. Odysseo pushes the limits of live entertainment even further by creating a two-hour feast for the eyes and ears for this, the only North American stop of the current world tour.

Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $29.50 to $119.50 plus applicable service charges. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, take advantage of the unique experience of the Horse Lovers Package that allows patrons to tour the Cavalia stables after the show, or the VIP Rendez-Vous Package which includes a post-show stable tour plus a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17), and senior citizens (65+). For ticket info, visit www.cavalia.net or call 1-866-999-8111.

Out of 15 countries represented, Canada finished the two-round competition with a total of 16 faults to finish in third place overall.

As the lead-off rider for the second week in a row, Yann Candele, 41, of Caledon, ON, rode Carlotta Singular la Magnifica, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Susan Grange, to a four fault first round score. In the second round, Candele and Carlotta Singular la Magnifica incurred 12 faults and were the drop score.

Tiffany Foster, 27, of Schomberg, ON, riding Victor, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Torrey Pines Stable and Artisan Farms LLC, had four faults in the first round and a clear round in the second.

Jill Henselwood, 49, of Oxford Mills, ON, rode George, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Brian Gingras. The pair had four faults in the first round and posted Canada’s second clear in round two.

Nine-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar, 65, of Perth, ON, and Star Power, Team Works’ 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, had eight faults in the first round, which was used as the drop score, and returned for four faults in the second.

“Third place out of 15 teams is very exciting,” said Terrance Millar, chef d’équipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team, who is being aided on the European Tour by stable manager Lori Green.  “It is a good day to celebrate girl power. Jill and Tiffany were both four and zero today. It is uncharacteristic for Ian to have a drop score, but he came back strong. Yann had a good first round, but today it was all about the ladies.”

First place, with a two-round total of five faults, went to the Ukraine, while Brazil was second with 12 faults.

The European tour has been made possible through Sport Canada’s Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Nations’ Cup is the only competition in show jumping where riders, in teams of four, compete as a country.  The top three scores from each team are counted towards the final result of the two-round competition.

The four Canadian riders will continue competing at CSIO 4* Linz, AUT, where they will contest the Sprehe Grand Prix of Linz on Sunday May 13.

Complete details and results for CSIO 4* Linz, AUT, may be found at www.linzerpferdefestival.at.

Follow the Canadian Equestrian Team on Twitter: #TheCET

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

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Dear Premier

It causes great concern to the Ontario racing and breeding industry that Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance for the Province of Ontario, has chosen to engage a major investor in our industry in a public mud-slinging match. Mr. Duncan’s comments are rife with innuendo and inaccurate information. On behalf of our industry, we would like to clarify the facts that were not included in Minister Duncan’s public response to Mr. Thomson.

To Minister Duncan’s comments that “Mr. Thomson is a “wealthy U.S. investor” who has profited handsomely from the program funded by Ontario taxpayers”, there is a key inaccuracy in this statement. The “program” to which Mr. Duncan referred has not received one cent of funding from Ontario taxpayers. It is funded from three sources: a percentage of the commissions earned on wagering on horse racing in Ontario, from a portion of commissions earned from slots gambling at Ontario racetracks, and from fees paid by breeders, stallion owners and horsemen active in racing in Ontario. It is NOT funded by Ontario taxpayers.

To Mr. Duncan’s description of Mr. Thomson as a ” … `wealthy U.S. investor’ (his highlights) who has profited from the program”, we vehemently object to the implied negative connotations in Minister Duncan’s comments. Our industry values its investors – all of its investors. Like many other industries in Ontario, horse racing and breeding in Ontario benefits significantly from international investment. We believe that such investment enriches the province, and helps build the Ontario economy. We have grave concerns that Mr. Duncan does not share this same appreciation.

The very nature of Mr. Thomson’s investment means that he must keep stallions and mares in Ontario and produce foals for racing in Ontario. This means jobs, expenditures and taxes for Ontario to fund schools and hospitals.

Mr. Duncan’s comments that “History is littered with businesses that failed to address changes to the economy and technology” implies that our industry is in that category. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Significant investment in Ontario has created a world-class horse racing industry that is supported by the most advanced technology available for broadcast media, Internet gambling, and state of the art

E-commerce platforms. To be able to securely place a wager on live horse-racing in real time – something we do every day, on every race – requires nothing less than the most sophisticated technology infrastructure. Our industry has developed, and uses technology comparable to the requirements of the Canadian banking sector.

To Mr. Duncan’s statement that the Government of Ontario is “ending a program that took money that should go to Ontario schools and hospitals and gave it to, among others, wealthy people like Mr. Thomson …” well this comment is both inaccurate and offensive.

The Slots at Racetracks program contributes $1 billion dollars each year to the costs of schools and hospitals in Ontario – money that would otherwise need to come directly from taxpayer funds. The program also ensures that more than 60,000 people in the Ontario industry have jobs and can pay their fair share of taxes to fund schools and hospitals for their families.

We would like to say to Mr. Thomson, “Please be assured that Mr. Duncan’s comments to you are not shared by the Ontario racing and breeding industry. On behalf of the industry, we would like to thank you and your fellow international investors that have recognized the value of investing in Ontario. We hope to be able to continue to deliver Value-4-Money, and a potential return on your investment in Ontario.”

Mr. Duncan does not speak for our industry. The Ontario horse racing and breeding industry is Open For Business!

Sue Leslie, President OHRIA

EXCITING NEW PROGRAMME  FOR JUNIORS

Standardbred show organizers feel that the Standardbreds, with their kind and sensible temperaments, make ideal mounts for youth riders.

To encourage these young people to come out and participate and have fun in the show ring, the Ontario Standardbred Show Series has announced that Junior(under 18) riders may enter up to 4 classes at each show free.

The shows that will offer these free entries to Juniors/Youth competitors are:

Standardrama,   June 24^th at Orono Fairgrounds,

Oxer Standardbred Show,  July 15th at Ancaster Fairgrounds

Standardbred Showcase, August 5^th at Grand River Raceway, Elora

Southwest Ontario Standardbred Show, Sept 16^th at Railside Equestrian Centre, Dutton

More info on the series can be found at:   www.standardbredshowcase.com

Here is your chance to own a unique piece of equine art, and support the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

The artwork pieces are as follows:

Item One – “Somebeachsomewhere” by artist Linda Shantz.  We are offering a limited edition framed and numbered print

(25/50) from the oil painting commissioned on the occasion of Somebeachsomewhere’s induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2010.  The print is signed by the artist as well as driver Paul MacDonnell.

Item Two – “Northern Dancer” by artist Debbie Goldring.  Limited edition framed and numbered print (34/50) signed by the artist.  The original head study of Northern Dancer

was commissioned by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of his birth – 2011. ItemThree – “

Colors of the Hambletonian”.  Framed, signed Poster celebrating the first 75 years of the Hambletonian and illustrating the driving colours of the winners.  Signed by John Campbell, Stanley Dancer, Jack Moiseyev, Ron Pierce, Ray Remmen, Ron Waples and many more.

Item Four – “John Henry” Bill Shoemaker up!  By artist Fred Stone.  Limited edition framed, signed and numbered print (558 of 595)

Bids being accepted until May 25^th.  For complete details, please visit www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com

Asselin, 18, of Calgary, ON, will ride two horses on the tour—his Junior Division gold medal mount from the 2010 North American Junior Young Riders Championships, Lolita, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare, and Rush, an 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse. Both horses are owned by Attache Stables.

Eighteen-year-old Bretton Chad of Calgary, AB will ride Stone Ridge’s 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Lasall, and 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Tjengo.

The youngest member of the tour, 16-year-old Kara Chad of Calgary, AB, will also ride two Stone Ridge owned horses—Calle 11, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and Alberto II, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding.

Smith, 19, who currently resides in San Juan Capistrano, CA, will ride her own 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion, Albatros 86, on the tour

“I am very excited about the Young Riders tour to Europe in May,” said Jump Canada chef d’équipe, Mark Laskin. “We hope this will become an annual trip and that it will be an important part of our development system. There is nothing that can substitute for Nations’ Cup experience. It is an entirely different level of pressure when you’re walking into the ring with a Canadian flag on your chest representing your country.”

Laskin added, “This is a first step in that development and has relevance to competing on a senior international Nations Cup team for Canada. I’m looking forward to working with the next generation of Canadian show jumpers.”

To assist in making this tour possible, Equine Canada has received two very generous anonymous donations helping facilitate this forward thinking initiative to develop our next generation of Canadian show jumpers.

There is currently only one FEI team event held annually in North America—the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC)—where junior and young rider teams represent their provinces or regions in a competition similar to a Nations’ Cup.

Additional details about the two competitions may be found for CSIOY Bonheiden, BEL at www.jumping-bonheiden.be and www.srclamprechtshausen.at for CSIOY Lamprechtshausen, AUT.

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

From the 14 countries represented, Canada finished the two-round competition with a total of 12 faults to tie Belgium for second place overall.

As the lead-off rider, Yann Candele, 41, of Caledon, ON, rode Carlotta Singular la Magnifica, a 12-year-old Hanoverian Warmblood mare, to a clear first round and an eight fault second round.

Riding Victor, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Torrey Pines Stable and Artisan Farms LLC, Tiffany Foster, 27, of Schomberg, ON, had 12 faults in the first round and four faults in the second.

2008 Olympic team silver medalist Jill Henselwood, 49, of Oxford Mills, ON, rode George, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Brian Gingras. The pair had four faults in both the first and second rounds.

Nine-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar, 65, of Perth, ON, and Star Power, Team Works’ 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, posted Canada’s best score with two clear rounds.

“To tie for second with Belgium out of 14 teams is very exciting,” said Terrance Millar, chef d’équipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team, who is being aided on the European Tour by stable manager Lori Green.  “It was a strong field of teams and not an easy course. Some of our horse rider combinations are new to this level, and I am very pleased with our results today.”

First place, with a two-round total of eight faults, went to Italy, while Germany, Spain and Mexico tied for fourth with 16 apiece. Switzerland finished with a two-round total of 20 faults for seventh spot, while the team from Great Britain rounded out the top eight with 21 faults.

A Nations’ Cup is the only competition in show jumping where riders, in teams of four, compete as a country.  The top three scores from each team are counted towards the final result of the two-round competition.

The four Canadian riders will continue competing at CSIO 4* Lummen, BEL, where they will contest the Hyundai Grand Prix Lummen on Sunday, before moving on to CSIO 4* Linz, AUT, from May 10–13, 2012.

Complete details and results for CSIO 4* Lummen may be found at www.jumpinglummen.be.

The European tour is made possible through Sport Canada’s Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Follow the Canadian Equestrian Team on Twitter: #TheCET

About Jump Canada

Jump Canada is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level.  Jump Canada is governed by a board, the majority of whose members are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/jumpcanada.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognized by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.