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Julie Watchorn to Compete at First Ever FEI Young Rider’s World Cup Finals

November 25, 2005

Based on being the top placed Canadian rider at the 2005 North American Young Rider’s Championships, Julie Watchorn was selected by the FEI to represent Canada in the inaugural FEI Young Rider World Cup being held December 16-18, 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo Credit - www.TheHorsesEye.com

Ottawa, Ontario --- 19 year-old Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, ON, will be representing Canada at the inaugural FEI Young Rider’s World Cup being held December 16-18, 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) has selected riders from across the globe to take part in this truly international competition. Watchorn will contend fellow young riders hailing from countries in Europe and South America as well as the United States, Japan and New Zealand.

The format will follow that of the World Cup finals, where the winner will be selected by being the top finisher in the freestyle class.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement for this competition,” said Watchorn. “This is a chance of a life time to be invited to such a high calibre competition and an honour to be able to represent Canada at such a prestigious event.”

Riders were selected by the FEI based on their competitive success in the 2005 season. The field of 16 competitors will include the top eight riders from the European Young Rider’s Championships, the highest placed American rider from the North American Young Rider’s Championships as well as Julie Watchorn, who with a sixth place finish, was the highest placed Canadian rider at the 2005 North American Young Rider’s Championships held in Lexington, VA.

“Our freestyle is relatively new and we focused on showcasing a high degree of difficulty, something that we feel my horse is ready for. The dramatic music is from the English band, Bond, and really suites my horse,” stated the full time Commerce student who is enrolled in her second year of studies at the University of Toronto.

Under the watchful eye of her coach, Gillian Sutherland, Watchorn will be leaving for Europe December 10 and is looking forward to the competition with her mount, Quintesse, is a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Latano. “Gillian is very good at keeping me calm and getting the best out of Quintesse.”

“While living in England five years ago, we purchased Quintesse in Germany with the intent of making her a jumper. Since I have always enjoyed dressage, we officially switched disciplines about a year after the purchase,” explained Watchorn.

The quick organization of the 2005 competition is made possible due to the generosity of Germany’s Ann-Katrin Lisenhoff and Schenker Logistics. The FEI reports that plans are already underway to organize an FEI Young Rider’s World Cup Dressage series for 2006 with qualifiers in different parts of the world.

About Dressage Canada

Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the National governing body for Dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada's objective is to foster the growth of Dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials’ education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada email info@dressagecanada.org or visit us online at www.dressagecanada.org

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