this year, for example, are going she was able to get the whole
to be a little bit harder so that Team perspective, which I think
the teams are hopefully competi- helps. I would definitely recom-
tive up there. We are also look- mend going through the WCAR
ing to do some sort of end of Trials for Spruce Meadows, and
the year tour somewhere, maybe being on the Team. Whether you
even to the east coast, and have make it on a Team with either
a Team challenge, so we have WCAR or NorCal, take the oppor-
something to look forward to.” tunity to represent the west coast.”
“These riders have nowhere “It’s tough to make the
to go. We seem to have a stupid Team…….so that even means
system. The riders qualify for all more. The program is designed
of these things, but then there is to give these riders mileage and
nothing else to do at the end of experience so they can go back
it. There is nothing finalized as of east and be competitive at Har-
right now, but we (WCAR) have risburg. WCAR is always trying
discussed doing Harrisburg, Wash- to do things to promote the sport
ington and Syracuse, with a Junior and to try to give our riders expe-
Team doing all of those shows. rience. It is also working with the
Have all of the riders points count USHJA to promote the Emerging
toward a Team total. It would be a Athletes Program for jumper rid-
Team competition going on at the ers. Asked to organize the EAP
same time as the Individual com- clinics, WCAR took a stance to
petition, the kids go to Harrisburg have EAP Clinics in both north-
anyway for the Prix de States.” ern California as well as southern.
“We’ve got to get beyond just Without their efforts there would
“WCAR appears
finishing here (on the west coast), have been only one in the south.”
and find something further for the John agrees with Butch that there
to be working really
riders to do. We have some great should be life after the end of the
talented, talented kids here. There show season. “I know WCAR was
well for California
are really good trainers who have pushing to have a $35,000 Junior-
amazing riders with fantastic hors- Amateur Grand Prix during the
and thinking for-
es and they want to continue, they World Cup Finals week, a class
need to keep going. Whether or that riders had to qualify for, go-
ward; I personally
not that will happen, I don’t know ing head to head with east coast
would like to see
but I'll work my hardest for it.” riders, Canada and Mexico.”John
Pebble Beach course design- adds. "They had sponsors in
similar programs in
er Jamie Alder concurs with place and everything, but in the
Thomas. “WCAR appears to be end it was not "Vegas" enough.
other zones as well.”
working really well for Califor- Hopefully in the future they can
nia and thinking forward; I per- get a program like that in place."
sonally would like to see similar “WCAR is not just about the
Pebble Beach course designer
programs in other zones as well.” jumpers," continues John. "They
Jamie Alder(pictured above)
John French speaks from his own are trying to create a program to
WCAR sponsored experi- help revitalize the hunter industry
ence, as well as that of his as well. I am on that committee
student Taylor Siebel who and its pretty exciting. Everyone is
went to Spruce Meadows certainly invited to help.”
in 2008. “Taylor went to For further information about
Spruce Meadows last year WCAR programs, visit their web-
on the 1.30M Team, where site at
www.westcoastactiveriders.com.
Left: Taylor Siebel on Rocky W
with John French
54
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