Quarter Horse
A major initiative of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is to co-ordinate a team to represent Canada at each biennial American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup. The Youth World Cup competition is an educational, leadership-based event for youth members from around the world, culminating in showcasing skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly competition.
Canada will be one of 16 countries to field a team at the 2010 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup. The event will be held from July 3rd to 11th, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Funding for travel expenses for Team Canada is cost-shared by AQHA/CQHA, provincial/regional Quarter Horse Associations, corporate and/or individual sponsors, and team members’ families.
Each participating country may select up to five competing riders, two alternate riders and three non-competing youth (leadership members). The host country will provide the pool of horses of various ability levels, which are subsequently grouped into lots of five horses each. During the opening ceremonies, teams draw to determine their assigned group of five horses. Teams then designate three riders each to compete in Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, and Trail; and two riders each for Reining and Cutting classes.
The CQHA actively sought out qualified youth who are Canadian citizens, members-in-good-standing of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA). Many applications were received from youth from all across Canada, who possess excellent horsemanship skills in a variety of events, and who volunteer in their local communities and/or equine sport organizations. This made the job of selecting finalists for the team both gratifying and challenging.
The CQHA Board of Directors, Team Canada Coach, and Team Canada Manager are pleased and proud to announce that Team Canada for 2010 has been selected as follows:
The five competing riders are:
Paige Carter Fleetwood
Paige is a 16 year old from St. George, Ontario. She has been involved with American Quarter Horses her entire life and helps her family operate their training facility. Paige has competed throughout North America riding several of her American Quarter Horses. She has earned many achievements including AQHYA World Show National Qualifier, OQHA Reserve High Point All Around 14-18, and AQHA Youth Champion. Besides competing, Paige is an active participant of the Ontario Quarter Horse Youth Association, and was nominated this year as President, for her second term. Paige attends Paris District High School where she has been involved in two musical productions, is Treasurer on Student Council, and was selected as PDHS Panther of the month in December of last year. She volunteered extensively at the 2008 YWC in London, Ontario. Paige is very excited to be a part of Team Canada and compete at the 2010 Youth World Cup and she extends best wishes to all the competitors.
Danielle Olafson
Danielle is a 17 year old from Edmonton, Alberta. She has been riding since the age of six and began showing when she was ten. She has shown five different American Quarter Horses and has earned numerous AQHA Superior awards and an AQHA Performance Champion. In 2006 Danielle was the National Justin Rookie of the Year. Danielle has competed at four AQHYA World Shows and placed Top Ten and as a Finalist. At the All American Quarter Horse Congress she has been a Champion and has had multiple Top Ten and Finalist finishes. She is a Reserve NSBA World Champion and won a Gold Medal and several Top Ten finishes for Team Canada at the 2008 Youth World Cup. Danielle is actively involved in the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association and has been the Webmaster, Treasurer and Vice President. Danielle likes to swim and is certified to be a Lifeguard and Instructor. She enjoys running and competes with her school Cross Country Running Team. Danielle has been accepted by the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Science, with future plans to be a Chiropractor. Danielle is honoured and excited to be a part of Team Canada for a second time and is looking forward to a successful and competitive team.
Deejay Reid
Deejay is a sixteen year old from Sherwood Park, Alberta. She has been riding since she was two in a variety of disciplines. For the past six years Deejay has focused her riding and competition in the area of cutting. Her first year cutting she was Reserve Champion in both Alberta and Canada in the Youth division. With such a successful season the NCHA awarded Deejay the Most Improved Rider. In her second year of cutting Deejay entered the Calgary Stampede and placed third in Youth. She has travelled to the US to represent Canada at the Western Nationals. This past year Deejay was ranked Top Five in Alberta and Canada, competing against adults. In addition to cutting, she also likes different riding disciplines, just for a change of scenery, and to learn more about horses. Deejay also takes soccer very seriously and competes at a very high level. She is currently enrolled in a high school soccer academy school and she also plays competitive Club Soccer for an Edmonton team. Deejay is always looking for a new challenge and adventure to push her and to test her skills. Deejay is thrilled to be part of Team Canada and is looking forward to the experience at the 2010 Youth World Cup.
Morgan Shipka
Morgan is a 17 year old from St. Albert, Alberta. She has been riding and showing horses for as long as she can remember and began showing her first American Quarter Horse when she was 12. Morgan has achieved success showing three American Quarter Horses in All-Around events including many Circuit and All-Around awards. She is a Regional Experience Champion and has several Top Ten finishes. At the All American Quarter Horse Congress, Morgan was a Reserve Champion, as well as a Top Five and Finalist finisher. She also competed on the Alberta NYATT team and at the AQHYA World Show. Morgan is active in assisting her school and the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association in fundraising efforts and also volunteers at her community’s Humane Society. In her spare time Morgan enjoys snowboarding and spending time with her horse and friends. As a member of Team Canada 2010, Morgan is looking forward to the challenges of this new experience and meeting new people.
Rianna Storey
Rianna is a 15 year old from Cambridge, Ontario. She has been riding horses her entire life and began showing competitively at the age of seven. She has successfully shown various horses in All-Around events and has earned numerous Superior awards, an AQHA Champion and a Performance Champion. At the Regional Experience and the All American Quarter Horse Congress, Rianna has been a Champion and has had multiple Top Ten and Finalist finishes. She is seriously committed to her academics at school and enjoys playing soccer on a varsity team. For a number of years Rianna has been involved with the Ontario Quarter Horse Youth Association and currently is the Vice President. She has also been a member of the Ontario NYATT team for five years. She helps out at the family horse training facility and also works for a dog groomer. Rianna is looking forward to being a part of Team Canada and hopes that she, along with her team-mates, can achieve great things.
The two alternate riders are:
Kennedy Almas
Kennedy is a 16 year old from Hagersville, Ontario. She started showing horses at local club shows at the age of 9 and then progressed to showing American Quarter Horses when she was 12. She has won many All-Around awards from the Ontario Quarter Horse Association. At the All American Quarter Horse Congress, Kennedy competed twice on the Ontario NYATT team. She has been active in the Ontario Quarter Horse Youth Association, twice as a Director and last year as the Reporter. In 2008 Kennedy showed at the Ontario Reining Horse Association and was an active member of the ORHA youth. This year Kennedy looks forward to doing her co-op with an equine vet. When not busy with school or horse shows you can find her at the barn or atop of a horse. She hopes to help Team Canada enjoy their time and learning experiences together. Kennedy volunteered at the YWC 2008 and has dreamed of being on the team since then.
Amanda Thomson
Amanda Thomson is a 17 year old from Oil Springs, Ontario. She has been riding and showing horses all her life. She shows in several divisions from all-around events to reining and barrel racing. Amanda has earned many Circuit and Year End awards in these divisions, including being a Reserve Champion with Reining Canada, and a Regional Experience Champion. Away from the show pen, she enjoys trail riding, team penning and breaking out young horses. Amanda has been a member of the OQHYA board and currently is the Secretary. For the past two years she has been on the Ontario NYATT team at the All American Congress. She is involved with multiple horse organizations, as well as 4-H, serving in positions such as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Youth Leader. Making the Youth World Cup team is a dream come true for Amanda and she cannot wait to see what the future holds for Team Canada.
The three leadership members are:
Sarah Connors
Sarah is a 17 year old, from Fredericton, New Brunswick. She plans on attending University in the fall to pursue a career in Media Studies and Communications. Sarah has been riding horses all her life, she now owns four American Quarter Horses which she keeps at her own barn. She competes in various classes at AQHA shows in the Maritime Provinces and New England. She has been the Maritime Quarter Horse Youth Association Secretary for the past two years. She maintains their website, as well as being very active in fundraising and events for the association. Sarah has represented the MQHA at many trade fairs and conferences. This past year she was the MQHA High Point Youth on her four-year-old gelding and also won numerous All-Around and High Point awards. Sarah is thrilled with the opportunity to be representing Canada at the 2010 Youth World Cup, as it was a long time goal of hers.
Elizabeth Priest
Elizabeth is an 18 year old from St. Pierre, Manitoba. She has been riding horses since she could walk. Growing up in England she spent the first years riding English, competing in gymkhanas and going to hunt meets. After moving to Canada, Elizabeth got very involved in 4-H and was a part of the program for 9 years. This led to showing American Quarter Horses and she has earned many achievements including Circuit Awards, Year End Awards and a couple of Canadian National titles. Elizabeth is involved in extra curricular activities and is an active volunteer. When not riding and working, she helps coach ringette and basketball, and plays volleyball in a women’s league. Elizabeth is the Treasurer of the Manitoba Quarter Horse Youth Association. She has taken a year off school and plans to start university in Toronto this September. Elizabeth is very excited and honoured to be a part of Team Canada, as it is the perfect way to end her last year as a youth.
Jasmyn Rivait
Jasmyn is a 13 year old from Orillia, Ontario. She has been riding for four years and competing successfully for three years, winning many Circuit and High Point Awards. Jasmyn has held the title as the Ontario Quarter Horse Association Princess for two years, as well as being an Area Director for the OQHYA. At the All American Quarter Horse Congress she has had several Top Ten finishes and has been a member of the Ontario NYATT team for two years. During the 2008 Youth World Cup Jasmyn volunteered proudly and tirelessly in a variety of tasks daily. Jasmyn excels in both academics and extra curricular activities; she volunteers her time for numerous charitable organizations within the realms of her family’s business. She is also involved and accomplished in snowboarding at her local ski hill. Jasmyn is very excited and proud to be on Team Canada and to be a part of the Youth World Cup.
Team Canada Coach – Scott Neuman
Scott Neuman of Billings, Montana has taught at Montana’s Rocky Mountain College for seventeen years, serving both as Associate Professor of Equestrian Studies, as well as Director of Equestrian Studies, in addition to operating his own training facility. He is originally a native of the province of Saskatchewan, and holds dual US and Canadian citizenship. Scott is an AQHA Professional Horseman and AQHA judge. He has coached students to numerous top ten finishes as the All American Quarter Horse Congress, including champion and reserve champion winners, in the youth division. Scott has also coached students to numerous top ten finishes at the AQHA Amateur and Select Amateur World Championship shows. He is well acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of coaching Team Canada, as Scott previously served in this capacity in 2004 and 2006 where the teams finished third and fourth, respectively.
Team Canada Manager – Karen Lobb
Karen Lobb of Edmonton, Alberta is an experienced Quarter Horse exhibitor, having shown at AQHA World Championship shows since 2005; the All American Quarter Horse Congress since 2006; and at the Select Amateur World Championship show in 2009. She has had a top five finish at the Congress and a top 10 at the Select World show. Karen has also had multifaceted parental roles at the AQHYA (Youth) World Championship shows since 2006. Karen’s daughter was a member of Team Canada 2008, which gave her an opportunity to attend the 2008 Youth World Cup held in London, Ontario. Karen’s business background and skills come from working for IBM Canada as an account manager in Marketing. She has an Arts degree from the University of Calgary, with a minor in Business. Karen’s work with IBM exposed her to corporate fund raising and the challenges of getting sponsorship involvement in events. On the provincial level, Karen has been a board member with the Alberta Amateur Quarter Horse Association and an active volunteer with the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association.
For more information regarding Team Canada’s participation at the 2010 AQHA Youth World Cup, visit the CQHA web site: www.cqha.ca and check out the Youth World Cup section.
The mandate of the CQHA, a national affiliate of the AQHA, is to address issues of concern to Canadian owners of American Quarter Horses; to be a communications vehicle for and with Canadian owners of American Quarter Horses; and to promote and market, both globally and within Canada, Canadian-bred and/or Canadian-owned American Quarter Horses. For more information, please visit the CQHA website at: www.cqha.ca
MBNA Canada ® supports grassroots programs in Canada!
Through AQHA Affiliate Grants, MBNA Canada supports grassroots programs in Canada that directly benefit AQHA members. Each year, AQHA Affiliates receive funding to enhance or develop services for shows, races, youth activities, educational programs, public policy and recreational riding. Financial support from MBNA Canada benefits virtually every member program offered by AQHA.
Through MBNA Canada, AQHA members have the opportunity to apply for the AQHA MasterCard credit card. For more information on MBNA Canada or their services, call 1-877-428-6060
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