2012 AQHA Youth World Cup Report

2012 Team Canada   

Back row (l to r): Della Cryderman, Stefanie Lepp, Brittany Ruecker, Amanda Daly, Haley Stradling,
Laura Anne Berensci, Quinn Brandt, Karen Westerback, Megan Daly, Carly Epp
Front row (l to r): Rianna Storey, Joannie Backes - Photo courtesy of Jessie Godin  

Team Canada Highlights:

• Canada was one of 15 countries who participated at the 2012 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup held July 21 to 29, in Kreuth, Germany.
• Team Canada won Four GOLD & Two BRONZE individual medals
• Team Canada members won Championship buckles in Cutting and Hunt Seat Equitation
• One Team Canada member won trophy spurs as the overall Reserve High Point Rider earning 58 points
• The Right Luke, donated by Chloe Shaw-Jackson, drawn by Team Canada and ridden by several team members, was the Reserve High Point Horse of YWC 2012 earning 51 overall points.
• Team Canada finished in fourth place, with 98 total points. Team Italy was first with 144 points; Team Germany was second with 134 points; Team New Zealand was third with 110 points; and Team USA was fifth with 92 points

AQHA Youth World Cup & Team Canada Background:

A major initiative of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is to co-ordinate and field a team to represent Canada at biennial American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup competitions. These competitions are educational, leadership-based events for youth members from around the world, culminating in showcasing skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly competition.

Each participating country is eligible to select up to five competing riders, two alternate riders and three non-competing youth (leadership members). The host country provides a 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 riders to compete in Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, Trail; Reining; and Cutting classes. Points earned by placing in the top ten of each class are tabulated to determine the overall team placings. Two sets of medals are awarded to the top ten exhibitors in each class - one per judge, per show day.  

Team selection criteria are determined by each participating country, as is the method of funding team fees and travel expenses. Team Canada members are chosen from applications submitted to the CQHA Youth World Cup Committee based on selection criteria for each biennial event and is published on the CQHA's website. Funding for Team Canada fees and travel expenses is cost-shared by AQHA/CQHA, provincial/regional Quarter Horse Associations, CQHA affiliate disciplines, corporate and/or individual sponsors, and team members' families.  

The 2012 Team Canada five competing riders placed as follows:

The 2012 Team Canada alternate riders were:    

Amanda Daly, Pritchard, BC; and Stefanie Lepp, Rivers, MB

The 2012 Team Canada leadership members were:                            

Laura Anne Berensci, Paris, ON; Megan Daly, Pritchard, BC; and Brittany Ruecker, Balcarres, SK

The 2012 Team Canada Coach and Team Manager were:

Coach Della Cryderman, Murillo, ON and Manager Karen Westerback,Thunder Bay, ON

The CQHA Board of Directors congratulates the entire 2012 youth team, coach and manager and their support groups both on site and back at home for their cumulative efforts. You were great ambassadors for Canada and we are very proud of all of you!  

For more photos and congratulatory Facebook postings, visit Team Canada's FB (Public Group) page http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/194707480629380/  and/or CQHA's own FB page http://www.facebook.com/#!/can.quarter.horse.assoc 

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