Dreams come true for Canadian show jumpers at the FEI World Equestrian Games

Eric Lamaze is seen here warming up with his mount Hickstead for competition at the World Equestrian Games.

"The dream is true. It was a lifetime goal to ride at Aachen," said Canada's Jill Henselwood after completing her warm-up ride in the prestigious arena on Monday afternoon. "We had a perfect preparation. Now is the time to put some results on the table. We will do the best we can for the team."

Canadian teammate Chris Pratt concurred.

"This is something I've dreamt about since I was 10 years old; being at the top of

the sport, and this is it!" he declared. "We let the horses freshen for the last couple of weeks, and I think that was the right thing to do. Rivendel is great with crowds; he usually rises to the occasion. Then he'll be at his best."

Chef d'quipe for Canada's Show Jumping Team, Terrance (Torchy) Millar, and the Selection Committee had the unenviable task of selecting four out of the five Canadian riders to be the official Canadian Show Jumping Team. They chose Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, riding Special Ed owned by Juniper Farms; Eric Lamaze of the Schomberg area, riding Hickstead owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables; Ian Millar of Perth, riding In Style owned by Susan Grange; and Chris Pratt of Belfountain, riding Rivendell, also owned by

Susan Grange; leaving Mario Deslauriers and his horse, Paradigm, figuratively speaking, on the sidelines.

"This time it was a very difficult decision, not as clear cut as at other times. The decision is somewhat subjective, but the committee feels that we have done the right thing," said Millar. "Leaving Mario 'on the bench' is like leaving a superstar on the bench. Paradigm had some good

classes and some not good classes, (but) the other horses were more consistent."

"I was very fortunate at a show here, in Aachen, in late May," Lamaze commented (he and Hickstead placed third in a Grand Prix). "It was great for my horse, being a young horse, to be introduced to this ring and the atmosphere. He proved that he could jump with the best horses in the world. He feels like he knows where he is and is pumped and ready to go. Any time Canadians get to jump in Europe, it is a great opportunity for horses and riders. My horse is one of the best, but luck always plays a factor. He's prepared and I'm prepared."

Paradigm, belonging to Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, Quebec, was sent to the holding box during the show jumping horse veterinary check Monday morning. He was to be re-presented Tuesday morning.

"It is disappointing," Deslauriers said. "I came with (high) expectations. But, in the summer he (Paradigm) had a hard time and was not too consistent."

After his practice ride, Ian Millar said, "We are fortunate to have a venue like Spruce Meadows with the big grass ring. It is similar to here. Good ground absorbs energy and gives it back to the horse, and the ground here did that. We have an excellent, well-bonded team. We are five deep and choosing a spare was an extremely tough exercise."

Looking forward to yesterday's (Tuesday) Speed Class, 'Torchy' Millar said, "The horses look well and jumped well (in their training session). I'm pleased with how the horses reacted to the ring. The Aachen footing holds up really well. It absorbs a lot of water."

"I'm approaching it (the competition) with guarded optimism," he concluded.

The first round of competition, a speed phase, was to take place yesterday (Tuesday). The results were not available at press time.

The two-round team competition, which determines the team medals, will be held over two days, Wednesday and Thursday, with the team medals being awarded at the conclusion of competition on Thursday evening. In addition to determining the World Champions, the team competition also acts as a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games with the best five teams earning their tickets to Hong Kong, where the equestrian portion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be staged.