20/ DECEMBER 2017 THE RIDER CQHA Confirms Team Canada 2018 Selections


Calgary, AB - November 11, 2017) — The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup is an in- ternational event held very two years and hosted by a different country each time. American Quarter Horse youth competitors from around the world will flock to the next Youth World Cup which will be held June 28 - July 8 in Bryan/College Station, Texas. Throughout the competition,


each country will ride for gold medals in cutting, reining, west- ern horsemanship, trail, ranch riding, hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle and show- manship.The Youth World Cup is more than just a competition - it offers a chance for international youth enthusiasts to learn from the industry’s leading riders and trainers. While at the event, five


youth riders plus one coach and manager from each country will take part in educational seminars, discipline clinics,


leadership


training and, finally, competition. Up to five additional youth from each country may be invited by each international affiliate to at- tend the education and leadership portion of the week’s events and to support their team. Representing Canada at in-


ternational events such as this one, is a costly initiative and Team Canada members and their families are each responsible for fund-raising a portion of their travel expenses. To help them reach these goals, please consider supporting an individual team member, or the team as a whole, with a business or personal spon- sorship. To learn about the bene- fits of offered for various sponsorship levels, click here to download the Team Canada 2018 sponsorship package. A major initiative of the


CQHA is to field youth teams for these biennial Youth World Cup competitions and we are pleased to announce that we have se- lected the following ten qualified youth participants from applica- tions received from all across Canada for Team Canada. The Competing Riders are:


Ellie Gerbrandt Roberts Creek, BC 14-year-old Ellie Gerbrandt


Hannah Buijs Lisle, ON Team Canada rider Hannah


Buijs, 17, returns to Team Canada for the third time. Han- nah has been showing Quarter Horses since the age of four and started showing on the quarter horse circuit when she was six- years-old. She started her show career on her family horse “The Shortest Straw” in walk jog classes. In 2010 she began show- ing in the 13 and under all around events with her new horse “Lopin To The Bar.” Hannah and Tucker have accomplished much in the pen such as multiple top ten and top five placings in Horseman- ship, Showmanship, Trail, and


from Roberts Creek British Co- lumbia is extremely excited to be representing Canada as a rider for the 2018 Youth World Cup. Hav- ing been riding for as long as she can remember, Ellie now com- petes in the all-around events at top level shows both nationally and throughout the US. Ellie has earned a top 10 placing at the All American Quarter Horse Con- gress in Hunt Seat Equitation and she also was a finalist in western pleasure and showmanship. She has won many circuit champi- onships and all around awards in- cluding some from the Arizona Sun Circuit and the Novice Championship Show (west). When Ellie is not competing at horse shows, she enjoys volun- teering with her local vaulting group and with younger children getting more comfortable around horses. She is looking forward to meeting all of the other competi- tors and is excited to bring her skills and experience to Team Canada.


James Heitzner St. Clements, ON For this 17-year-old, riding


and showing horses has been a big part of his life. He is return- ing to Team Canada 2018, this time as a rider. James has an ex- tensive show record, has ridden with many different trainers, and has experience with a plethora of different riding disciplines in- cluding everything from jumping


Alexandra Hibberd Calgary, AB 18-year-old Alexandra joins


Team Canada 2018 as a rider. Alex has been riding her whole life. She started her show career as a youngster in the jumping ring. Alex has now focussed her riding exclusively on reining for the past seven years. As a com- petitive youth and non-pro rider Alex has earned numerous NRHA championships and year- end awards. Her success in the show ring has earned her a top ten placing at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma and multiple Cana- dian National Championships. Alex has also had the opportunity to ride representing Alberta twice at the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships. Alex currently attends the University of Alberta studying Animal Health. When not showing or in school, she enjoys quilting, read- ing and dog agility. Alex is very excited for the opportunity to represent Canada in Texas.


Mackenzie Inksater Roberts Creek, BC 17-year- old Mackenzie is


thrilled to be returning to Team Canada 2018 as a rider. She started riding on her mom’s miniature horse at the age of two and moved up from there. Mackenzie has been showing AQHA for the past six years in


Western Riding at the All Ameri- can Quarter Horse Congress over the past seven years, a top ten placing at the 2013 AQHA East Novice Championships in Horse- manship, Superiors in youth Horsemanship and Showman- ship, and placing eighth at the 2017 AQHYA World Show in Horsemanship. She has also par- ticipated in the Congress NYATT for the past seven years repre- senting the Area 3 team and the Ontario Quarter Horse Associa- tion team. Hannah also rides and has shown Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, and Rein- ing. When not spending time at the barn Hannah’s focus is on school where she has been awarded multiple top marks throughout her high school career and has been among the top three highest academic average stu- dents for the past three years. Hannah enjoys volunteering at local horse shows and events, as well as being on the Ontario Quarter Horse Youth Association board as a Director, Reporter, and this past year as Vice President. She looks forward to meeting everyone on Team Canada and cannot wait to share all the amaz- ing experiences that are ahead of them!


Canada and looks forward to cheering her team on in Texas!


demically Kylie excels, and in each year of high school has earned the award of excellence. Kylie is excited to be a member of Team Canada and looks for- ward to the many experiences she is about to have.


to reining (and everything in be- tween). James has been an All American Quarter Horse Con- gress Top 10 finisher in Horse- manship, has multiple AQHA Championships, is a multiple AQHYA World Show Qualifier, and has been a member of both the 2016 YWC Team Canada and Ontario’s Congress 2016 NYATT team. When not riding a horse, James enjoys playing basketball for his school, where he helped his team finish 9th overall in the province, or volunteering at a re- habilitative riding center. One can also find him playing Ulti- mate Frisbee with his team that happened to have back to back top two placings in the province. He also gives his time by serving on the OQHYA Board in several different positions. His hobbies consist of photography, music, and literature. James looks for- ward to bringing his passion for horses and vast show experience with him to Texas in 2018 for Team Canada.


the all-around events on a variety of horses but predominantly her own horse. She has had much success showing in Canada and the United States including showing at The Novice Champi- onships in Las Vegas numerous times and earning top placings in horsemanship,


showmanship,


trail and western riding. Showing has been Mackenzie’s main focus the past years but school also plays a huge part in her activities as she volunteers through her school’s leadership program. She also loves volleyball and is cur- rently on the senior team for her school. Mackenzie is excited to be joining Team Canada 2018 and can’t wait to meet everyone and compete.


The Alternate Riders are:


Madison Holmes New Glasgow, NS Madison, Team Canada al-


ternate rider, is 16-years-old and has been riding horses her whole life and showing with AQHA since she was four. Madison shows a variety of horses in many disciplines including eng- lish and western classes, as well as ranch riding and over fences classes. She has an extensive show record including showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress each year since 2013 and earning placings of champion, reserve champions, and top tens. Madison’s favourite place to be is in the show pen. Outside of horses Madison plays varsity volleyball, helps coach younger volleyball teams, volun- teers at her local hospital, and bakes cakes for weddings and special birthdays. Even though Madison misses many classes due to her horse showing, she al- ways excels in academics and has received multiple awards includ- ing the top three overall marks of her year. Madison is looking for- ward to taking her past experi- ence on Team Canada 2016 to the team this year. The Leadership Members


are:


Cassidy Cressman Belleville ON Cassidy, 15, is excited to be


joining Team Canada as an alter- nate rider. She has been showing horses since a very young age. After working her way through the lead line ranks as a toddler at local club shows, she started her riding career on a trillium hunter pony in the short stirrup division. Cassidy attended her first Quarter Horse show in the walk-jog divi- sion when she was six and fell in love! She became partners with her mount Hes Asgoodasitgets in 2010. "Dakota" was intended to be a small fry horse but they ended up doing so much more to- gether. Accomplishments include being named Justin Rookie of the year, Reserve Congress Cham- pion (13 and under) in Novice Youth Horsemanship, Reserve Congress Champion in 11 and Under Trail and a top 15 finalist in NYATT showmanship. In ad- dition to their Congress successes together, Cassidy finished a Su- perior in Open Trail on Dakota and won many year-end and cir- cuit championships. Dakota was fully retired in 2016 and since then Cassidy has been riding a lot of different young horses and tak- ing in as many new experiences as possible. While shopping for her new mount, Cassidy has kept herself busy taking lessons in a variety of disciplines including reining and eventing. She is ex- tremely excited to be joining the Youth World Cup Team for


Darla Leroux Sudbury, ON


Kylie Bond Warren, MB Kylie, 16,


Darla, 17, is very excited to have the opportunity to attend the 2018 Youth World Cup as a lead- ership member. Horses have been a key part of Darla's life as she has grown up. She has been rid- ing horses since the age of two and showing from a very young age as well. As a toddler she began showing in lead-line at local schooling shows on her mother's experienced Quarter Horse. After quickly working her way out of lead-line, Darla began taking jumping lessons and com- peting in the jumping classes at the local shows. Darla was intro- duced to AQHA at the age of 12 and fell in love with the atmos- phere of the Quarter Horse shows. She started off with her 15h mare but quickly realized she needed something more. Darla connected quickly with her new 16.3h mare, Go Fo The Hot One, and together they have earned many Ontario Awards, circuit awards, all around awards and a spot on Ontario's 2017 NYATT Team. Darla has had the opportu- nity to ride with various trainers and is grateful for all the knowl- edge that has gained her. When not riding horses, Darla can be found indulging in schoolwork or playing flag football and soccer for her school. Darla also enjoys partaking in the organization of as many school events as she can as well as volunteering within her community. Darla looks forward to bringing her knowledge and experiences with her to Team Canada 2018.


joins Team


Canada as a leadership member for the Youth World Cup 2018. Kylie has been riding since she was ten and first started showing in 2013 with the Canadian West- ern Horse Association (CWHA). Kylie’s


immediate success


earned her many year-end awards there. In 2015 she began showing with the Central Canada Reining Horse (CCRHA) Association where she continued to accumu- late many year-end awards. Kylie is an active member of the CCRHA/NRHA, and is always lending support from volunteer- ing with fund-raising to cheering on her competitors. When not showing, Kylie spends many hours a week volunteering and helping young children at a local riding stable, Diversity Horse- manship. She also participates in cross country running, is a mem- ber of the ethics club, student voice, and student council. Aca-


Abby Schapp Midland, ON 15-year-old Abby is thrilled


to be traveling to Texas as a Team Canada leader. Being on Team Canada has been a dream of hers since she started riding Quarter


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